Sore Throat

sore throat - definition

It is a condition characterized by scratchiness, irritation or painful sensations of the throat that often worsens as a patient tries to swallow.

It is a symptom of a viral or bacterial infection, such as common cold. The disorder is also referred to as Pharyngitis. However, Pharyngitis or inflammation of the throat (pharynx) is a separate condition of which sore throat is the main symptom.

sore throat - causes

The majority of cases of sore throat result from infection by viruses that are responsible for flu (influenza) and common cold. In less common cases, soreness of throat occur due to bacterial infections.

The causes of this disorder are categorized into three types:

Viral infections – These include viral ailments like measles, common cold, flu and Croup.
Bacterial infections – These involve conditions such as whooping cough, strep throat and Diphtheria.
Other factors – These include throat irritants, strain in throat muscles, allergies, smoking, mononucleosis, malignant throat tumors and other disorders.

sore throat - symptoms

The symptoms of this disorder may vary on the basis of the underlying cause. The typical signs and symptoms of the disease, as experienced by most sufferers, usually include:

Difficulty in swallowing
Dry throat
Swollen, red tonsils
Hoarse or muffled voice
Pus or white patches on tonsils
Pain or scratchy sensation in the throat
Sore, swollen glands in the jaw or neck
Throat pain that worsens with talking or swallowing

The common infections responsible for this syndrome may also lead to other problems, such as:

Fever
Nausea or vomiting
Chills
Runny nose
Sneezing
Cough
Headache
Body aches

The condition may give rise to some severe symptoms in certain cases. These include:

Difficulty in swallowing
Difficulty in breathing
Abnormal drooling, which may hint at an inability to swallow

Patients and their family members should seek treatment on an immediate basis in case of occurrence of such symptoms.

sore throat - diagnosis

The diagnosis of this disease usually begins with a physical examination, whether for children or adults. This may be followed up by other exams, such as:

Throat swab
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Allergy tests

In case of frequent or chronic sore throat, patients may be referred to a specialist such as an ENT doctor.

sore throat - treatment

Sore throat resulting from a bacterial infection is treated with antibiotic drugs. The most common form of antibiotic remedy involves oral intake of Penicillin for 10 days, which is effective for strep throat infections. Those allergic to Penicillin are prescribed an alternative drug. Patients must take the full course of antibiotic medications to have the infection go away completely. Failure to do so might make the infection recur.

In cases where the condition is caused by factors other than viral or bacterial infection, treatment consists of curing the underlying cause.

sore throat - home remedies

The common home remedies for this condition include the following:

Getting enough rest.
Drinking lots of fluids, to prevent dehydration and keep the throat moist.
Using a cool-air humidifier to remove dry air that may irritate the throat.
Avoiding possible throat irritants like tobacco products.
Using lozenges, although young children below 4 years of age should not be given such products.
Gargling with saltwater (1 tsp table salt mixed with 8 ounces of warm water). It is one of the best remedies for persistent sore throat.
Using warm liquids like warm water mixed with honey or caffeine-free tea for sore throat relief.

In many cases, patients complain of persistent pain in the throat. Analgesics and drugs like Acetaminophen, Aspirin or Ibuprofen can be used to manage painful sensations as well as fever resulting from infections.

sore throat - prevention

The best prevention for sore throat is to maintain good hygiene, so as to avoid contracting the germs that lead to bacterial and viral infections causing soreness of throat. The preventive measures include:

Quitting smoking, which may irritate the throat.
Staying indoors on dusty and polluted days.
Not touching fountains, telephones, or public items with the mouth.
Sneezing or coughing into tissues and throwing them away after use.
Not sharing utensils, food, or glasses with others.
Washing hands frequently before and after eating or after coughing or sneezing.

If you or your child is affected by persistent sore throat that refuses to resolve even after use of home remedies, seek an appointment with your family physician. Early treatment would help in faster recovery from this highly discomforting condition.

sore throat - pictures

The images here would prove useful to you in understanding this condition.

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