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My tongue is very sore. Red spots and swollen tastebuds. I also have a sore throat. This has lasted for nearly 2 weeks so far. Is my ailment most likely viral, bacterial or fungal? I am taking a daily multivitamin and an extra iron supplement as I am breastfeeding my 3month old. I have tried a once a day mouthwashing with commercial mouthwash but have had no improvement. I am willing to try a weak solution of tea tree oil in water if it's fungal? I'm planning to rinse 3x/day with mouthwash if your answer doesn't shed more light on it. If it's viral I can only treat the symptoms anyway since antibacterials won't work but an idea of how long it's expected to last would be of help.
Optional Information: Gender: Female Age: 32 Already Tried: Nevermind, I'll check with my local chemist first and come back if I don't have any luck. I'll try the free advice first. I'll re-submit the query and pay for it - if your advice WORKS. iI's still cheaper than an GP visit.
Greetings
While you have not made up your mind on paying for the service or not, it will be unfair to wait for the result to pay for an answer if it makes sense and you are satisfied. YOU DO NOT DO THAT, NOT EVEN WHEN CONSULTING A LAWYER, ENGINEER, ARCHITECT , OR YOUR GP.
I will give you a sound opinion and leave you to your conscience.
The fact that this has lasted two weeks, means it is either low grade bacterial or fungal. Viral illnesses have a life cycle that tend to be shorter, unless they are secondarily infected by a fungus or a bacteria.
So you will invariably need a broad spectrum antiseptic mouth wash/gaggle, if you insist on OTC treatment. (My instinct is that a prescription grade antibiotic /antifungal either orally or as a gaggle will work faster/more effectively as per cost:benefit ratio)
The OTC meds will be combining nystatin drops twice daily after chlorhexidine solutions gaggles.
Prescription grade would have been Amoxycillin (safe for breastfeed) and caps fluconazole
Experience: Versatile practicing Physician, 20 years experience as a GP.