Sore Throat| Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Having a sore throat again? You might be suffering from a sore throat or not but this article will be helpful to you. In this article, we’ll also discuss remedies to treat sore throat. In this day and age having a sore throat is a common health issue. It usually goes away after some time but can be painful. Sore throat is caused due to infections and dry air.

What is a sore throat?

The painful, scratchy, or dry feeling in the throat is known as a sore throat. Sore throat is divided into three types. The first is the one that affects the area right behind the mouth this is called pharyngitis. Second, which affects the soft tissue at the back of the mouth. It is the swelling and redness of the tonsils. It is called tonsillitis. Third, which causes swelling or redness of the voice box larynx. It is called laryngitis. The most common symptom of a sore throat is pain in the throat. It accounts for millions of visits to the doctor per year.

According to statistics in Great Britain, sore throat medications had the third-highest sales value in 2020.

Symptoms of sore throat

Symptoms of sore throat include fever, cold, sneezing, runny nose, headache, swollen glands in neck trouble in swallowing, hoarse or muffled voice, chills, and appetite loss.

Sore throat is usually accompanied by the feeling of irritations, redness, swelling, burning, raw dry, and tenderness.

Causes of sore throat

Viral infections

Viral infections, cold, and flu cause sore throat. These include influenza virus, Measles, Mumps, chickenpox, and Herpes.

Bacterial infections

Bacterial infections also cause sore throats. The sore throat caused by bacterial infections is called strep throat. It is caused by Streptococcus bacteria.

Sexually transmitted diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV along with oral thrush also cause sore throat.

Allergies

Allergies to allergic agents such as pollens, grass, and pet dander can also cause sore throat. It may lead to a runny nose and watery eyes. Postnasal drip is the dripping of excess mucous of the nose to the back of the throat. It can also irritate the throat.

Dry air

Dry air causes the moisture in the throat to dissipate which causes irritation and dryness of the throat which may lead to a sore throat.

Chemicals and irritants

Smoke, air pollutants, and cleaning products may lead to a sore throat.

Most firefighters report sore throats as they are exposed to dry air in most of their working time.

Injury

Injury to the neck or throat area such as a cut may cause sore throat.

The excessive use of vocal cords or voice boxes can cause a sore throat. Sore throat is mostly reported by fitness trainers and teachers as they often have to yell at their working place. Singers are also susceptible to a sore throat.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

The condition in which the acid from the esophagus comes back to the throat is known as Gastroesophageal reflux disease. This irritates the throat.

Tumor

The presence of a tumor in the throat area might also cause a sore throat.

Home remedies for sore throat

Home remedies for a sore throat include drinking broth, honey tea, or tea without caffeine.

Gargling might ease the pain but it is not a cure for sore throat. Take a glass of water and put ½ a teaspoon of salt in it. Mix well and gargle with it. Then spit it out. Lozenges can also be used but they should be kept out of the reach of kids as it might lead to choking issues.

When to see a doctor?

Viral sore throat usually goes away after 2 days to a week but if it persists then you should see a doctor. You should see a doctor if you have difficulty in opening your mouth, difficulty in breathing, pain in the joints, and high fever.

Treatment

For the treatment of strep, throat antibiotics are used but they cannot cure a sore throat caused by a virus. For viral sore throat acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin are used. If you’re pregnant then you should ask your doctor for proper medicine.

Diagnosis

For the diagnosis of the sore throat, a throat culture is taken. It might be taken with a swab and sent to the laboratory for tests.

Whether we admit it or not sore throat is a common issue and should be addressed properly.