Sore throat, or pharyngitis, is a very common issue, which can be handled at home, in most cases, without the need for medical treatment. People usually recover quickly (usually after three or four days), although some can experience complications. It can affect speaking, swallowing, or breathing. The main causes of sore throats are viral or bacterial infections, but allergies and sinus infections can also contribute.
Symptoms of a Sore Throat
The symptoms of a sore throat vary according to the infection that caused it. It can feel like:
- Burning
- Scratchy
- Raw
- Irritated
- Dry
In addition to throat pain, common signs and symptoms of a sore throat include:
- Fever and chills
- Difficulty swallowing and breathing
- Nasal congestion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sneezing
- Earache
- Fatigue and weakness
- Joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
What Causes a Sore Throat
Sore throat is usually caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold or the flu. It can be caused by bacterial infection, too, but not nearly as often. A sore throat could be contagious, depending on what caused it. Most sore throats are caused by infections, and if that is the case, it can be contagious, whether it is viral or bacterial.
Viral infections
Sore throats may be caused by a viral illness like:
- The common cold or flu
- Laryngitis – infection of the voice box
- Mononucleosis (the “kissing disease”) – a disease mostly seen in teens and young adults, which causes a severe and persistent sore throat
- Measles
- Chickenpox
- Coxsackie A virus
Bacterial infections
A number of bacterial infections can cause sore throats, such as:
- Strep throat – caused by bacteria called group A streptococcus
- Tonsillitis – an infection or inflammation of the tonsils
- Peritonsillar abscess – pus-filled collection of tissue that forms in the back of the throat, usually caused by the same bacteria that cause strep throat and tonsillitis
- STD (sexually transmitted diseases) -if you have engaged in high-risk sexual behavior, consider whether you may have gonorrhea or chlamydia
Though these are the most common culprits, there are non-infectious reasons that might cause a sore throat. Some of them include:
1. Dry Indoor Air
this is especially the case during heating season. The dry air can make your throat feel scratchy and rough, especially in the morning.
2. Allergies
allergenic triggers like pet dander, molds, dust and pollen can cause a sore throat. The symptoms can worsen because of nasal drainage down the back of the throat, which may cause inflammation.
3. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
stomach acid that backs up into the throat can cause an acid taste in the mouth, cough and sore throat.
4. Smoking, Chemicals And Air Pollution
frequent inhalation of tobacco smoke and chemicals can irritate the throat
5. Injuries
Any injury, such as a hit to the neck or strained vocal cords, can cause pain in the throat.
How to Cure a Sore Throat
Various remedies can be used at home to soothe sore throat and other accompanying symptoms.If the symptoms are persistent and severe, you should consult your doctor about taking antibiotics.
1. Gargling Salt Water
Several studies have shown that gargling salt water a few times a day can loosen the mucus and help reduce the swelling in your throat, while also flushing out bacteria and other irritants. Put half a tablespoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water and gargle the solution 3-4 times a day. Because of its simplicity, it is safe for children over 6 years old to use.
2. Drink Lots of Fluids
Drinking plenty of water is very important when you’re sick. Staying hydrated helps thin secretions and makes your body produce more saliva to keep your throat lubricated. If you are tired of water, you can also drink warm tea or soup and unsweetened lemonade. Hot soup or tea can actually do more damage, by burning the already inflamed throat.
3. Use A Humidifier or Vaporizer
Adding moisture to the air can help relieve hoarseness and soothe a swollen throat. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can sit in a steamy bathroom. Make sure you clean your humidifier and change the water regularly.
4. Honey
Eating a spoonful of honey or mixing it with your tea can be one the most effective ways to soothe a sore throat. A study shows that parents rated honey as the best medicine, over the popular cough medicine dextromethorphan, for symptomatic relief of their child’s night cough and sleep difficulty due to infections of the upper respiratory tract.
5. Lozenges and Hard Candy
These can help stimulate saliva production and ease soreness. Hard candy can be as effective as medicated lozenges but are less likely to cause unwanted side effects.
6. Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers
Consider using mild OTC pain medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) to ease the pain and other symptoms.
7. Sleep
Resting is very important when you’re sick, because your body recovers best in periods of inactivity.
8. Antibiotics
Your doctor will most probably prescribe antibiotics, if the sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection. Antibiotics aren’t effective for viral infections.
Prevention
Even though it’s hard to avoid, there are some measures that may help to prevent getting a sore throat:
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often, especially after using the toilet and public transport and before eating
- Don’t share glasses or bottles you drink from
- Clean your phone, remote control and computer keyboard, since they gather a lot of bacteria
- Sneeze (or cough) into a tissue, then throw it away. If necessary, cough or sneeze into your elbow
- Using hand sanitizers that are alcohol-based can be a good alternative if you need to immediately disinfect your hands
- Try not to get in close contact with people who are ill
Conclusion
Sore throats are a common problem, caused mostly by viral infections that last 4 to 5 days. How to cure a sore throat? It goes away on its own, but there are things that you can do to relieve the discomfort.
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20351635
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/stm159638#stm159638-sec
https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/strep-throat.html
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/sore-throat#causes-of-a-sore-throat
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/sore-throat#treating-a-sore-throat
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324049.php
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18056558
https://acaai.org/allergies
https://www.medicinenet.com/sore_throat_home_remedies_and_treatment/article.htm#sage/echinacea_throat_spray
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