Most common cause for sore throat is either viruses or bacteria. Viruses are usually the same ones which cause other upper respiratory illnesses, like plain cold. Streptococcal bacteria infection can also cause sore throat, called strep throat. Although irritating, sore throat usually doesn’t represent serious risk health, although some forms of cancer are known to cause it in early stages. There are four major types of soar throat, named after the part of the throat they affect:
1. Pharyngitis, affecting pharynx (behind the mouth);
2. Tonsillitis, affecting tonsils (on either side of the base of the tongue);
3. Laryngitis, affecting larynx (the top portion of the windpipe);
4. Epiglottitis, affecting epiglottis (a tall semi tubular structure at the opening to the larynx separating it from the base of the tongue).
Fever, headache and nausea are most common symptoms of sore throat. Other symptoms can be pain while swallowing and hoarse voice, if larynx is affected. If you have a high fever and there is a known strep throat case in your surroundings, you should see a doctor. Most reliable test in determining a strep throat is a throat culture, but it takes at least 24 hours for results to be done, so doctors often prescribe antibiotics based only on examination. Antibiotics are useless if virus is causing the sore throat. Even if it is bacteria that caused it, antibiotics speed up recovery on average for only one and a half day, but hey will stop you from spreading the bacteria after 24 hours.
If your nose is plugged, you should use nasal spray for day or two, to prevent mouth breathing, which can further irritate the throat and cause you more pain. Do not use these sprays longer than recommended, as they can cause dependency.
Pain relief is most often largest concern with the sore throat. It can be achieved with aspirin, or some other NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Drinking enough fluids is highly recommended, especially if the patient is running fever, to prevent dehydration. If the condition is caused by a virus, resting is commonly the best therapy. Malaise is actually your body’s way of telling you that it needs rest. Sometimes, gargling with salt water may also help relieve the pain. Smoking should be completely avoided during illness, as well as caffeine, since it causes water loss in your organism.
In extreme cases, like severe tonsillitis, even corticosteroids can be used. Their negative effects on immune system are, in this case, overweighed by their anti-inflammatory effect. If tonsillitis is persistent and returns often, sometimes the surgical removal of tonsils is the best treatment.
In most cases, sore throat will go away with or without treatment. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t monitor the progress of the illness carefully, especially if a child is in question. Patient should stay in home until he has recovered, mainly to prevent him from infecting other people. Children should stay out of school and kindergarten until the illness has passed completely.
