Sore Throat Symptoms and Causes

The sore throat is so common that medical science has given it its own name: pharyngitis. Despite having its own name, it is usually only a symptom and/or precursor of a viral disease such as a cold or influenza. Sometimes it’s just an irritation from smoke, pollen, or something else you’re allergic to. It can also be a sign of a bacterial infection that needs medical attention. And, among other things, it may simply indicate throat muscles that have been strained by extensive talking, singing, or yelling.

According to the Mayo Clinic, most sore throats are symptoms of a viral infection. The most common viral infection is the one that causes colds. You can distinguish between sore throats accompanying a cold and those accompanying a flu only by looking at other symptoms. With a cold there is also sneezing, a cough, a low fever, and some slight body aches. Flu victims suffer a great deal from aching muscles and joints, fatigue, and high fevers. Another virus causing a sore throat is mononucleosis, in which the tonsils and lymph nodes of the neck and armpits are swollen; there is a skin rash, and there is inflammation of the liver. Other viral illnesses with sore throat symptoms are measles and chickenpox.

Strep throat and tonsillitis are not viral diseases; but bacterial infections that can bring on a severe sore throat.

How to Cure a Sore Throat

Most cases of sore throat may be treated at home through such measures as resting, increasing your fluid intake, humidifying the air, and resting your voice. But there are two instances when a sore throat should definitely be seen by a doctor. For persons with HIV open to dangerous infections of the mouth and throat, a sore throat could be a telltale symptom. A sore throat might also be, especially in smokers and alcohol abusers, a symptom of a throat tumor.

When stomach acid backs up past a malfunctioning pyloric valve, it causes – in addition to heartburn – a persistent sore throat. Left untreated, acid reflux can do damage to the esophagus and even the throat. There are over-the-counter medicines you can get to treat this condition, so it’s up to you to consider whether you think it may be wise to have a physician follow it.

Home Remedies for a Sore Throat

Most sore throats disappear by themselves within a week with no treatment other than gargling salt water.

For pain relief, sip a heated mixture of water, lemon, and honey. Reduce inflammation by taking ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen. Cepacol lozenges and Chloraseptic throat spray can also be useful in relieving burning and itchiness in the throat.

Should your throat remain sore for more than a week, it’s best to visit a doctor. He will most likely swab your throat and test for a bacterial infection. Although most bacterial and viral infections are not dangerous, there is a slim possibility that, if left unwatched, they could lead to such serious complications as rheumatic fever, mononucleosis, or kidney disease.

About the only way of treating a viral infection is to push fluids and get plenty of sleep. For bacterial infections, doctors generally shy away from treating them with antibiotics unless the situation indicates it’s absolutely necessary. Antibiotics build resistance to later treatments with the same antibiotics, and they are ineffective in preventing any kind of infection.

Preventing a Sore Throat

The best way to hold sore throats at bay is to avoid picking up the viruses and bacteria that cause them. Thoroughly and frequently wash your hands and avoid sharing such things as cups and towels. Within reason, avoid touching public surfaces and avoid second-hand smoke and air pollution. If you learn reading this article, you might as well read how to tell if you have a swine flu.