One swollen tonsil and relentless sore throat-Mono

[CallyBee]

Hello....I am an uninsured 30 year old female..hoping someone will read this/reply.
I am currently ill, just diagnosed with mono a couple weeks ago. It is April and I have felt sick since at least January. Most of the usual Mono symptoms. The most concerning thing is my throat. I have had a low grade sore throat this time for almost 5 weeks and just discovered my tonsil on just the left size only is about double the size of the right one. My throat discomfort, when it appears is always just on the left, where the swollen tonsil is and before this experience I had a low grade sore throat, sometimes with a feeling of a lump stuck in it. Hasn't ever really hurt to swallow, in fact food and drink seems to relieve pain.  Other symptoms-not always, might have accompanied it in the past. This all started about 3 years ago. I visited many Doctors back then, as well as an ENT. He looked in my throat with a camera and could not find anything the matter. He said Acid reflux could be the issue and gave me pills that did not help. I am wondering why my sore throat, tonsil swelling is only on one side and if it is related to the mono? Has anyone experienced this sort of throat complaint. I also feel some hoarseness, strain or hurts to talk. This has concerned me since I smoked for almost half my life...lightly though. I am otherwise in good health-eating healthy, always taking vitamins/antioxidants.My mental health however has not been good. I have felt extremely depressed and anxious. I worry I am dying and that something could be seriously wrong. I was moving,changing jobs and dealing with extreme stress and crazy sleep schedule for months before this diagnosis. I wonder if this made my symptoms/duration worse. I feel very tired all the time. And just lost my job, even though I only missed 1 day of work due to this illness. I know stress has been a contributing factor in all of this and at my last visit to the hospital I could tell the Doc thought it was all in my head. He didn't even want to do the mono spot test...he was surprised it came back positive. Anyway..thank you for reading...It helps to read all your posts and feel that I may not be alone. I just want to get healthy again and I'm desperate to get my life back. Thank you

[ellie8]

I have had one swollen tonsil for 9 days now. I did go to the doctor & he did a strep test that came back neg. He said it was a viral infection & that my body was fighting off something. He said I had to just let it run its course. After researching the internet my plan included; salt mixed with hydrogen peroxide gargle 2 to 3xs a day. I also gargled with apple cider vinegar from the health food store. Echinacia 5 to 10 pills a day. Home made chicken garlic soup & hot green tea with lemon & honey. I am much better the tonsil has gone down enough to live comfortably. Before it was very. Painful. My husband gave me some of his pain pills on a few days because it was so unbearable.  I am a super healthy person. I work out, eat only healthy food, and take vitamins. So I can tell you its just something that happens, as my doctor stated, in which your body is in a fighting mode. So get in the mode that you need to heighten your immune system to feel better. Hope this helps :)  

[CallyBee]

Thanks Jamie! I am finally feeling better. My tonsil is still swollen, bigger on the left. With minimal discomfort. However I am functioning a lot better. I am beginning to wonder if this one tonsil is just sensitive...maybe it flares when my immune system is suppressed? I have a weird round skin mark-looks like a spider bite on my arm. It has been there for about a month. It doesn't itch or hurt. I think Mono  can do weird things to the body. I had a follow up appointment 2 weeks ago and my blood tests all returned normal. I am still tired, but I can manage life easier now.
I hope things get better for you! Thanks again for your feedback/support.
Have your symptoms changed? I hope we both find good jobs and the stress dissolves soon. Blessings....

[jamie_1980]

Hi. I'm actually going through somewhat the same thing, but I never had mono. I did have a throat infection 2 months ago. Monday my ear started hurting and one side of my throat. Then two days ago I noticed only one swollen tonsil which scared me. I went to the doctor and she acted like it was not a big deal. But it really hasn't went down much and my throat doesn't hurt so much anymore. Like you, I'm under EXTREME stress from my mother being sick, loss of job, abusive relationship situation. I can't leave it, because I have no job as of yet. I'm 29 yrs old, so maybe our stresses caused part of the virus to come back? But at least you know someone your age is in the same boat!