Throat and ear infectious

mm1
mm1 Posts: 1,063
Every winter and spring since childhood I have suffered from presistent and chronic throat and ear infections. These are usually manageable with rest, water and painkillers. The latest bout knocked me out completely for 2 weeks and included several days of labyrinthitis during which I couldn't lift my head off the pillow.

I've done all the obvious things, cutting out dairy, lots of water drinking green/echinacia tea and taking NSAIDs to kill the pain, but the final residue of the infection just won't clear. Any suggestions for how to speed up recovery that don't involve going to live somewhere with a Mediterranean climate?