However my throat doesn't burn or anything. It is just red and feels dry sometimes. Now my gums may be irritated as well and it feels like there is a very tiny amount of pressure behind my ears. They keep prescribing my acid reflux and GERD type medicines but I do not think that is the problem. Who do I have to see if resolve this problem?

I read a lot of posts here and see people mention visiting an "ENT". Is that name short for something? Do you pronounce it "E-N-T" or one syllable like ENT? Can I go to the ER and have them see what is wrong or do they lack the tools? It sucks having to setup an appointment a week later while you suffer that is why I prefer ER. I am also worried that the longer I wait the worse it will get to cause more problems. Thanks.

However my throat doesn't burn or anything. It is just red and feels dry sometimes. Now my gums may be irritated as well and it feels like there is a very tiny amount of pressure behind my ears. They keep prescribing my acid reflux and GERD type medicines but I do not think that is the problem. Who do I have to see if resolve this problem?

I read a lot of posts here and see people mention visiting an "ENT". Is that name short for something? Do you pronounce it "E-N-T" or one syllable like ENT? Can I go to the ER and have them see what is wrong or do they lack the tools? It sucks having to setup an appointment a week later while you suffer that is why I prefer ER. I am also worried that the longer I wait the worse it will get to cause more problems. Thanks.


It's E - N - T, and it's for "ear-nose-throat". In Latin they are called otorhinolaryngologists (ear-nose-throat; yup), or otolaryngologists for short.

It would probably be good to see an ENT for help. He may be able to scope you and better tell if you could be having reflux problems. If so, he might also refer you to a gastroenterologist (GE, or frequently called "GI doc" for "gastrointestinal doc"), which would deal with the root of the problem.

Don't go to an ER unless you think you have a genuine emergency (or at least being driven absolutely crazy on a weekend when you can't see anyone). JMHO, but to me it's called the "emergency room" and it should be left open for people who have real emergencies and not used as a walk-in clinic. Besides, many times they're not going to get into details like this and won't necessarily be real helpful. They may just say "go to an ENT".

Back to the original question, I think it's possible you could have excessive reflux. I hope not, because it's a real pain. But your symptoms don't sound out of scope!

Are you taking the meds they've prescribed? Are they not working? Certainly sounds like reflux to me....

Yes I am taking the meds every twelve hours like it is prescribed. They are tiny pills though. The reason I think it is an infection is because one day I had to help someone move furniture and it was raining outside and I know that everytime I get into the rain I get sick. So after I came back inside my chest began to tighten up. A few days later I felt like I had a sore throat and it was hard to talk. I was given some antibotic medicine and the "hoarse" throat cleared up but my throat remained red. Now the redness is spreading.

Man this sucks, I just called to find an ENT and they said that the Doctor is only one once a week and that the earilest appointment is 30 days from now.

I managed to setup an appoinment with another ENT.