Oh my, my throat hurts again... You may have also experienced a burning, scratchy feeling in your throat when you talk or swallow a little saliva. In fact, this sore throat is a common health problem for many people in our country. This is especially common during times of illness like colds and flu. Most of the time, this is like the first warning sign that a cold is coming. But very rarely, this can be a symptom of a serious medical condition. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of this.
What are the main types of sore throat?
In medical terms, a sore throat is called pharyngitis. But we don't use those words in everyday speech. Simply put, a sore throat can come in two main ways.
- Acute: This is the most common type of infection. It usually resolves within three to ten days. It often accompanies a common illness such as a cold or flu.
- Chronic: If a sore throat lasts for more than two weeks, or if it gets better and then recurs, it falls into this category.
Also, the nature of this varies depending on where in the throat it is affected. Just think...
- Tonsillitis : This is when the tonsils (glands) on either side of your throat become swollen, red, and painful.
- Laryngitis: An infection and swelling of the larynx (voice box), which produces your voice. This can cause your voice to become hoarse or even completely lost.
- Epiglottitis: This is a serious, but very rare, bacterial infection. It causes the epiglottis, a small flap that covers our windpipe, to swell. This can cause difficulty breathing and requires immediate medical attention.
- Croup: This is a viral infection that often affects young children. It also causes the larynx and trachea to swell, leading to a characteristic cough that sounds like a barking dog.
These are the symptoms.
With a sore throat, you may experience things like:
- A scratchy feeling, pain, or burning in the throat.
- The pain increases when talking and swallowing.
- Difficulty swallowing food.
- Hoarseness or change in voice .
- Tonsils become red and swollen.
- Sometimes white spots appear on the tonsils.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Since a sore throat is often caused by an infection, you may also experience these symptoms:
- Cough
- Fever
- Body aches and fatigue
- Runny nose or stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Headache
- Stomach upset, nausea, or vomiting
What are the causes of a sore throat?
There can be many reasons for a sore throat. Let's look at the main ones.
| Reason | A simple explanation |
|---|
| Viral infections | This is the most common cause . Viruses like colds, influenza, COVID-19, measles, and chickenpox can cause a sore throat. |
| Bacterial infections | Some sore throats are also caused by bacteria. The most common of these is a condition called Strep Throat . This requires antibiotics. |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to things like dust, pollen, or pet dander, that can also cause a sore throat. Postnasal drip causes a sore throat. |
| Acid reflux (GERD) | Stomach acid can also cause a sore throat and pain. This can be accompanied by a burning sensation in the chest and a feeling of something stuck in the throat. |
| Other reasons | Smoking, dry air, mouth breathing, air pollution, spicy foods, shouting or talking continuously, and very rarely, throat cancer can also cause a sore throat. |
How does the doctor diagnose the disease?
When you go to see a doctor for a sore throat, he or she will first ask you about your symptoms. Then, using a small flashlight, they will examine your throat, ears, and nose. They will also feel your neck to see if your tonsils are swollen.
If your doctor suspects that your sore throat is a bacterial infection, namely strep throat, he will take a throat swab.
This involves taking a small sample from the back of the throat using a swab. The 'Rapid Antigen Test' can provide results in a few minutes. However, a 'Throat Culture' test can take a day or two to confirm for sure.
What are the treatments?
Treatment for a sore throat depends on the cause.
If a viral infection...
Most sore throats are caused by viruses.
Antibiotics do not cure them. They usually get better on their own within 5-7 days. During this time, you can take a painkiller such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen to reduce pain and fever, as advised by your doctor.
Important: Never give aspirin to children or young people. It can cause a dangerous condition that affects the liver and brain (Reye's syndrome).
If you have a bacterial infection (Strep Throat)...
If you have a bacterial infection like Strep Throat, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
The most important thing is to take all of the prescribed medication for the full course, even if you feel better. Otherwise, the infection may come back.
Home remedies
There are a few simple things you can do at home to help relieve a sore throat:
- Get plenty of rest: Give your body the strength to fight the infection.
- Drink plenty of water: Keeping your throat moist will help reduce the itchiness. Avoid drinks containing alcohol and caffeine.
- Drink something warm: A cup of ginger and coriander tea will soothe your throat. You can also add a little honey to the tea. (But don't give honey to babies under one year old).
- Gargle with salt water: Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water and gargle with that water several times a day. This will reduce swelling.
- Avoid things that are harmful to the throat: Stay away from smoke, spicy foods, and very hot drinks.
When should you definitely see a doctor?
Although a common sore throat will get better in a few days, in some cases it is essential to seek medical advice.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|
| If you have these symptoms, see a doctor. |
|---|
| Severe pain | If you have an unbearable sore throat or if it doesn't go away for a week. |
| Difficulty breathing or swallowing | If it's hard to breathe, if you can't even swallow. |
| If it is difficult to open your mouth | If you can't open your mouth normally. |
| Other features | High fever (over 100.4°F), earache, skin rash, a lump in the neck, blood in the saliva. |
| Emergency! If your child has these symptoms, take them to the nearest Emergency Department (ETU) immediately! |
|---|
| Difficulty breathing | If the child is having difficulty breathing or making a noise when breathing. |
| Difficulty swallowing | If the child cannot swallow anything. |
| Abnormal salivation | If the child is drooling uncontrollably. |
How to avoid a sore throat?
"Prevention is better than cure," they say. So these things will help reduce the risk of sore throats.
- Wash your hands often: Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom, after sneezing, before and after eating.
- Avoid touching your face: Germs on our hands can enter the body through the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Don't share things like cups and spoons: Germs can easily spread through saliva.
- Stay away from sick people: Minimize contact with sick people as much as possible. If you are sick, stay home and rest.
- Get the right vaccinations: Get vaccinated on time to protect yourself from viruses like influenza and COVID-19.
Take-Home Message
- Most sore throats (over 90%) are caused by viral infections , such as the common cold.
- Antibiotics do not work at all for viral infections.
- It is very important to get plenty of rest and fluids when you have a sore throat.
- If you experience warning signs such as severe pain, difficulty breathing, or difficulty swallowing, see your doctor immediately.
- If antibiotics are prescribed for a bacterial infection, it is imperative to finish the entire course of medication .
Sore throat, sore throat, throat pain, cold, flu, tonsils, antibiotics, home remedies, pharyngitis, strep throat
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