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All You Need to Know About Sore Throat

A sore throat is a condition manifested by pain, scratchiness, or irritation of the throat, that worsens on swallowing. The most common cause of sore throat is viral infections which usually resolve on their own; however, sore throats due to bacterial infections are less common and require treatment with antibiotics to prevent further complications. If ignored or left untreated, it results in abscess, rheumatic fever, sinus, or ear infections. So, it is crucial to visit a throat specialist in Mumbai to prevent the condition from aggravating. 

 

When to see the doctor? 

It’s better to get immediate care rather than let the complications of a sore throat persist. Do not ignore signs and symptoms like difficulty breathing, swallowing, unusual drooling, etc.

Some symptoms of severe sore throat are: 

  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Difficulty opening your mouth
  • Joint pain
  • Earache
  • Rash
  • Fever higher than 101 F (38.3 C)
  • Blood in your saliva or phlegm
  • Frequently recurring sore throats
  • A lump in your neck
  • Hoarseness lasting more than two weeks
  • Swelling in your neck or face

 

Causes of Sore Throat

Viral Bacterial Other causes
Common cold Streptococcus pyrogens Allergy
Measles Dry indoor air
COVID-19 Irritants like tobacco, alcohol
Influenza GERD, HIV, Tumours

 

Risk Factors of Sore Throat

  1. Age- Children and teenagers are at a greater risk.
  2. Tobacco smoke- Smoking and second-hand smoking can irritate the throat.
  3. Allergies- Seasonal allergies or ongoing allergic reactions to dust, molds make developing a sore throat more likely.
  4. Exposure to chemical irritants- Chemicals from burned fossil fuels or household chemicals.
  5. Chronic sinus infections- Runny nose can irritate the throat or spread infection.
  6. Weak immunity- You are more susceptible to infections in general if your immunity is low. Common causes of lowered immunity include HIV, diabetes, steroids, stress, fatigue.

Prevention & Management of Sore Throat

It’s always better to prevent a disease rather than suffer from it.

  1. Washing hands- Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet, before and after eating, after sneezing or coughing.
  2. Keep your hands off your face- Don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth frequently as you may spread your infection. 
  3. Avoid sharing – Sharing is not always caring if you carry infection with you.
  4. Cough- Cough or sneeze into a tissue and throw it away and then wash your hands.
  5. Alcohol-based sanitizer- Use it as an alternative if soap and water aren’t available.
  6. Disinfection- Regularly disinfect your phones, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, and computer keyboards.
  7. Avoid close contact- Be cautious and sanitize yourself frequently when you are in contact with a person who has symptoms of sore throat.

Management According to the Causative Agent

  1. Viral infection

Sore throat caused by viral infections resolve within a week and do not require any treatment. Antibiotics don’t help to treat viral infections. To ease pain or fever, people may consume NSAIDs like acetaminophen. Do not give aspirin to teenagers or children as it is related to Reye’s syndrome.

  1. Bacterial infection

The doctor will prescribe antibiotics. The patient must consume a full course of antibiotics even if the symptoms are gone. Failure to complete the course of the medication might result in worsening the symptoms of infection spreading to other parts of the body. Not completing the course of antibiotics to treat sore throat can increase a child’s risk of rheumatic fever or serious kidney inflammation.

  1. Other treatments

If sore throat is a symptom of a condition rather than a viral or bacterial infection, other treatments are likely to be considered depending upon the dosage.

Home remedies:

  1. Rest- Get plenty of sleep
  2. Fluids- They keep the throat moist and prevent dehydration. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. They dehydrate you.
  3. Comforting foods and beverages- Warm liquids, warm water with honey can soothe a sore throat. Make sure not to give honey to children younger than one year.
  4. Gargle- Saltwater gargle is the oldest and most effective remedy. A saltwater gargle of ¼ to ½ teaspoon of table salt in 4-8 ounces of warm water can help soothe a sore throat.
  5. Humidify the air- Dry air might further irritate the sore throat, so use a cool air humidifier. Make sure to clean the humidifier regularly so that it doesn’t grow mold or bacteria.
  6. Lozenges or hard candy- Either can soothe the sore throat. But avoid giving them to children below age four because of choking risk.
  7. Avoid irritants- Keep home free from cigarette smoke or cleaning products that can irritate the throat.
  8. Isolation- Stay isolated until you are cured. It will protect others from catching the infection and protect you from further complicating the existing condition.

Despite all these precautions, if you get infected and acquire a sore throat, it will be best to visit the doctor at the earliest. Start and complete your antibiotic course at the earliest. Visit a throat specialist in Mumbai at the earliest to treat the ailments. If ignored, the sore throat caused by bacteria can be life-threatening. Hence it is advised not to ignore the signs and symptoms and be aware of them.