Thanks for the valuable info you had given. I’ve taken a close look at your question & the reply and come up with the following answer:
Although most of the sore throats/raw throats are caused by viral infections, but this can also be bacterial like strep throat. It is the most common bacterial cause of sore throat. It is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. Strep cannot be accurately diagnosed by looking at the throat alone. It requires a laboratory test. A throat swab or a rapid test is required to rule out/diagnose strep infection. Smoking is a common cause of swollen uvula. Smoking and other pollutants or irritants dry up the uvula and cause itching, which causes the swelling. Although you have taken zpak antibiotics 250 mg a day for five days, but it has not provided you relief instead has made it worse. So the possibilities of causes are:
Either a viral infection or an allergic reaction or a resistant bacterial infection. You need following test:
-Throat swab for culture
-Rapid test for step infection
Exact diagnosis can only be made after physical & clinical examination. So I advice you to make an appointment with your otolaryngologist for these tests & examination to know the exact cause & then treatment will be done accordingly. Till then the following will help you greatly:
Pour a 1/2 to a whole teaspoon of liquid diphenhydramine syrup into small medicine cup and gargle with it. Try to keep the syrup towards the back of your throat for as long as you can. Gargling with lukewarm saline water is one of the best remedies. Take tablet benadryl (anti allergic) once a day. It is available as OTC (over the counter) without prescription. Avoid smoking.
All this will help you greatly. Hope this helped & I had provided you an excellent service. Your satisfaction is my prime goal and I'm happy to answer any follow-up questions you may have. Please feel free to ask if you have any other question.