Everyone knows what a sore throat feels like. Itâs one of the most common health complaints, particularly during the colder months of the year when respiratory diseases are at their peak.
The raw, scratchy, burning feeling at the back of your throat that hurts most when you swallow is often the first warning sign that you have a cold or that the flu is on the way. Â Rarely, it can be a symptom of more serious conditions, so you should watch how it develops.Â
Another name for the throat is the pharynx. Thatâs why a sore throat is sometimes called pharyngitis.
There are two main types of sore throat:Â
Acute. This means your sore throat goes away quickly. In most cases, acute sore throats are caused by the cold, flu, or other common illness. They typically last 3-10 days.Â
Chronic. If your sore throat lasts longer than that or it keeps coming back after it goes away, it's called chronic.
Sore throats differ based on what part of your throat is affected. Some examples include:
Tonsillitis causes inflammation and soreness of the tonsils, the two small masses of tissue at the back of your throat
Laryngitis is inflammation of your larynx, or voice box, which can also cause your throat to feel sore.
Epiglottitis is a bacterial infection that causes the flap at the entrance of your esophagus, called your epiglottis, to swell. This condition can cause a life-threatening airway blockage.
Croup is a viral infection that mainly affects children. It causes inflammation of the larynx and trachea.Â
Each of these types of sore throat will feel different because of the different areas of the throat that are affected.Â
Â
If you have a sore throat, you might notice:
Most sore throats are caused by infections. If you have an infection, you also might notice:
If you have a sore throat from a cold or flu, you may also have swollen glands on your neck. (Photo Credit: Moment RF/Getty Images)
There are many causes of sore throat. The most common are bacterial and viral infections like the cold and flu.Â
Viral infections
This is the most common cause of a sore throat. It happens when a virus gets in your body and makes you sick.
Some viruses that can cause sore throats are:
Bacterial infections
Not all infections are caused by viruses. Some are caused by a different type of germ called bacteria. There are many different kinds of bacteria, but the one most likely to cause a sore throat is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus), or "strep" for short. Some cases of sinus infections or tonsillitis are also caused by bacteria.
Allergies
Some people get sore throats from allergies. Common culprits include pet dander, dust, and pollen. Allergies can trigger a postnasal drip, which is when mucus drips down your throat. And if you breathe out of your mouth because of a stuffy nose, the dry air also can irritate your throat.
GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a condition when stomach acid backs up into your throat. You might feel a burning sensation and get a sore throat. Some other signs your sore throat is caused by acid reflux are heartburn, hoarse voice, and a lump-like feeling in your throat.
Smoking or being around people who smoke
Tobacco and other chemicals can irritate your throat, even if youâre only breathing in someone elseâs smoke. Plus, smoking raises your risk of getting throat, tongue, or mouth cancer.
Other things that can cause a sore throat include:
Dry air. This can dry out your throat, making it feel scratchy.
Mouth breathing. Breathing through your mouth, usually when youâre asleep or have a stuffy nose, also can dry your throat out.
Pollution. Chemicals in the air can irritate your throat.
Spicy foods. Eating spicy foods can trigger a sore throat.
Overuse. Shouting, talking loudly, and singing can tire out your throat muscles, causing them to feel sore.
Some cancers. Tumors in your throat or tongue can cause a sore throat. Keep an eye out for hoarseness, trouble swallowing, loud breathing, a lump on your neck, and blood in your spit or phlegm.Â
Your doctor will probably start by looking at your throat with a tiny flashlight. They may also check your nose and ears. Then, theyâll feel the sides of your neck for any lumps, which can be a sign of swollen lymph nodes. The doctor also will use a stethoscope to listen to your lungs as you breathe.
If your doctor thinks you might have strep throat, theyâll do a throat swab. This is when they brush a sterile swab (like a long Q-tip) against the back of your throat. Then, they test the swab to see if it picked up any of the bacteria that cause strep throat. Youâll probably get a result in a few minutes from a rapid antigen test, but will need to wait a day or two for the results to be finalized with a more reliable test called a throat culture.
The way you treat a sore throat depends on what is causing it. Most sore throats are caused by viral infections, which usually go away on their own in 5â7 days. Antibiotics wonât fix this kind of infection. But in the meantime, you can take over-the-counter medications to help ease the soreness.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for sore throat
Medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help relieve fevers and pain. If your child is sick, look for a childrenâs version of these drugs. Donât give aspirin to children or teens as it can cause life-threatening swelling in the liver and brain.
If your sore throat is caused by allergies, antihistamines might help. These OTC drugs decrease allergic reactions.
Prescription mouthwash for sore throat
If you have a severe sore throat from cancer, ask your doctor about getting a special mouthwash. Also known as âmagic mouthwash,â this treatment contains painkilling drugs like lidocaine or Benadryl.
Antibiotics for sore throat
If you have strep throat, antibiotics can help. These are medicines that kill bacteria, including the bacteria that causes strep throat. They donât work on viruses.
If your doctor gives you a prescription for an antibiotic, follow their directions carefully. Ask them what to do if you accidentally forget a dose. Keep taking the medication as directed until you have used all of it, even if you start to feel better. Stopping antibiotics too soon can cause the infection to get worse.
Medications for GERD sore throat
To treat a sore throat caused by acid reflux, youâll probably need antacids. Some are available over the counter. Or you can talk to your doctor about getting prescription-strength medication. There are also small lifestyle changes that can help, like not eating a big meal before bed.
Most sore throats are caused by viruses, which means thereâs no immediate cure. But in the meantime, there are a few easy things you can do to help feel better.
You can:
Rest. Give your body a chance to recharge so it can fight off any infection you might have. Resting will also give your throat muscles time to repair after shouting or singing.
Stay hydrated. This will keep your throat moist so it wonât feel so scratchy. Focus on getting plenty of water. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic drinks, which can dehydrate you.
Eat or drink something warm. Warm liquids can feelsoothing for your sore throat. For an extra comfort boost, add honey to your teaâbut donât give any to babies under 1 year old.
Eat something cool. Ice pops or ice water can help soothe your throat and reduce inflammation.
Gargle. Try gargling a cup of warm water with a half teaspoon of salt. The salt brings down inflammation, which can cause redness and swelling. This tip works for adults and kids ages 6 and older.
Turn up the humidity. Dry air can aggravate a sore throat, so try using a cool-air humidifier. If you donât have one, you can sit in a steamy bathroom after a hot shower.
Enjoy a hard candy or lozenge. This causes your mouth to release saliva (spit), which can moisturize a sore throat. Donât give hard candies or lozenges to children under 5 years old.
Try alternative medicine. Some people say that herbal teas, sprays, or lozenges help them feel better. Popular varieties include licorice root, slipper elm, and marshmallow root. Talk to your doctor before trying any herbal products or supplements.
Avoid triggers. Stay away from cigarette smoke, cleaning products, spicy foods, very hot drinks, and other things that can irritate your throat.
Itâs time to go to the doctor if youâre in severe pain, the sore throat doesnât go away within a week, or it keeps coming back. Other signs to get medical care are:
Get immediate help if your child has:
To help prevent a sore throat, you can:
Get vaccinated. Most sore throats are caused by viruses, including influenza and COVID-19. Stay up-to-date with your flu shot and any other recommended vaccines.
Wash your hands regularly. Make sure to do this after using the bathroom, after sneezing or coughing, and before and after eating. Wash for 20 seconds, or the time it takes to sing âHappy Birthdayâ twice. If thereâs no soap or water around, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.Â
Donât touch your face. Your hands come into contact with a lot of germs, and touching your face gives them an easy ride into your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Donât share cups, forks, or other utensils. Germs can spread through saliva (spit), even if you canât see any.
Be careful when touching public or shared items. Use a cleaning wipe to disinfect phones, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, and other commonly shared items. When using public phones or drinking fountains, make sure you donât touch them with your mouth.
Avoid spending time with people who are sick. This can lower the chances that youâll get sick too. And if youâre sick, stay home and rest to protect others.
Most sore throats are caused by viral infections like the common cold, influenza, and COVID-19. Antibiotics wonât help these infections, but they tend to go away on their own in about a week. In the meantime, try home remedies like drinking hot tea with honey, gargling salt water, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest. If your sore throat is severe or doesnât go away, talk to your doctor about what could be causing it and possible treatments.
RetroSearch is an open source project built by @garambo | Open a GitHub Issue
Search and Browse the WWW like it's 1997 | Search results from DuckDuckGo
HTML:
3.2
| Encoding:
UTF-8
| Version:
0.7.4