Sore throats can occur for a variety of reasons. A sore throat
is often one of the symptoms of a cold or the flu, and is also
an indicator of a much more serious infection like strep throat
or mononucleosis. A sore throat can also be related to other
problems, such as allergies or even reflux, when stomach
acids
are
regurgitated
into the back of the throat.
Causes of Sore Throats
Some of the most common causes of sore throats include:
Viral Infections
Viral infections are the most common cause of sore throats,
with the flu and the common cold as the usual culprits. Other,
more serious, viruses include chicken pox, measles, and mononucleosis.
These viruses are highly contagious and spread quickly. Sore
throats associated with cold and flu
will usually go away on their own, but the more serious infections
may require medical attention.
Bacterial Infections
Bacterial infections cause illnesses such as strep throat and
tonsillitis and are also contagious. These infections can lead
to other illnesses, and usually require medical attention.
Tonsillitis
Tonsils are the lumpy tissues on each side of the back of
the throat, and help a body to develop the immunities needed
for their particular environment. In some people, especially
children, this tissue becomes infected, causing a sore throat.
Irritation
Not all sore throats are caused by illness.
Some are simply caused by irritants in our environment or by
the use of our voice.
During cold weather, the dry heat indoors can cause a sore throat,
especially in the morning. Also, being around smoke, drinking
alcoholic beverages and eating spicy foods can cause a sore throat.
Straining or misusing your voice (as in yelling at a ball game)
can also cause a sore throat.
Allergies
Just as pollen, dust and pet dander can irritate the nasal passages,
they can also irritate the throat of someone who is allergic
to such things.
Reflux
People who suffer from reflux, either on an occasional or chronic
basis, will awaken some mornings with a sore throat due to the
regurgitation of stomach acids into the back of throat overnight.
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When To Call Your Doctor
Be sure to call your doctor
if you experience any of the following:
Sore throat that lasts longer
than one week
Difficulty breathing, swallowing,
or opening your mouth
Prolonged fever
Earache
Blood in saliva or phlegm
Recurring sore throat
Lump in the neck
Hoarseness lasting more than
two weeks
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Diagnosing Sore Throats
Most often, a throat culture is performed by using a medical
cotton swab to collect cells from the back of the throat. The
cells
are placed in a medium where they can grow. Lab technicians
look at the cells under a microscope and determine the presence
and
type of bacteria causing the sore throat.
Treatment Options
Home Remedies
In the case of cold or flu, simple home remedies can relieve
the discomfort of a sore throat until the virus goes away. Some
remedies include:
In the case of bacterial infections such as strep throat, your
doctor will need to prescribe an antibiotic. Although viral infections
do not respond to antibiotics, bacteria infections do, and antibiotics
are required to prevent the infection from becoming more severe
and spreading to other parts of the body.
At times, severe and recurring cases of tonsillitis, especially
in children, will require the removal of the tonsils. Most people
who undergo tonsillectomy find a significant
reduction in colds and infections following having their tonsils
removed.
