Sore throat is an irritation of the throat as a result of inflammation of the throat (pharyngitis), inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis) or trauma. A sore throat can affect people of all ages, but the risk of a sore throat is higher in Children, smokers, people with allergies and people compromised immune system.
According to Jones Roger (2004), in any three-month period, about 7.5% of people have a sore throat.
Causes of sore throat
- Viral infection- Such as cold or flu, viral
- Bacterial infection- Such as streptococcal pharyngitis, which causes strep throat , diphtheria (a throat inflammation) and whooping cough, which affects the respiratory mucous membrane.
- Environmental factors- Such as exposure to allergy, dry air, cigarette smoking, passive smoking.
- Gastroesophageal (acid) reflux disease – A digestive condition that occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus.
Symptoms include:
- Throat pain
- Dry throat
- Swollen glands in the neck
- white patches on the tonsils
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty breathing
- Joint pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Earache
- Rash
- A fever over 101˚F
- Bloody mucus
- A lump in the throat
- Hoarseness that lasts longer than two weeks
Prevention of sore throat
- Wash your handsthoroughly and frequently, especially after using the toilet, before eating, and after sneezing or coughing.
- Avoid sharingfood, drinking glasses or utensils.
- Cough or sneezeinto a tissue and throw it away. When necessary, sneeze into your elbow.
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizersas an alternative to washing hands when soap and water aren’t available.
- Avoid touchingpublic phones or drinking fountains with your mouth.
- Regularly cleantelephones, TV remotes and computer keyboards with sanitizing cleanser. When you travel, clean phones and remotes in your hotel room.
- Avoid close contactwith people who are sick.
The best way to prevent sore throats is to avoid the germs that cause them and practice good hygiene.
Treatment of sore throat
- Gargle with warm salt water.
- Drink plenty of warm fluids, such as teas, soup, and water.
- Avoid allergens and irritants, such as smoke and chemicals.
- Take throat lozenges.
- Inflammation is reduced with ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Article by: eDokita Team.
Reference
- Jones, Roger (2004).Oxford Textbook of Primary Medical Care. Oxford University Press. p. 674. ISBN 9780198567820.
- Valencia Higuera. ‘Sore Throat’. Healthline.Web
- Stephen Doerr, John P. Cunha, Jerry R Balentine, Melissa Cornard Stoppler. ‘Sore Throat’. Medicinenet.com. 2016.
- CB Del Mar, PP Glasziou, AB Spinks. ‘Antibiotics for sore throat’. 2000 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD00002
- Mayo Clinic. ‘Sore Throat: Self Management’. 2016