What is Sore Throat?
A sore throat signifies to itchiness, pain, or irritation of the throat. You may feel difficulty in swallowing food and liquids. Throat pain is primary symptoms of the sore throat. But other symptoms are swollen glands in the neck, dry throat, and white patches on the tonsils.It is one of the common health issues, particularly in winter seasons, when respiratory infections are at the high peak. It can affect the people of all ages, but the risk of sore throat is higher in children, allergy suffers, and smokers.
Causes of Sore Throat
Viral Infection:
Viral infection is one of the common causes of the sore throat. There are several viruses which can lead to cold and upper respiratory infection. Other types of virus illness include:
- Common cold
- Mononucleosis (mono)
- Flu (influenza)
- Chicken pox
- Measles
- Croup — a common childhood illness
Bacterial infection:
The sore throat also triggers by bacterial infections. Bacterial infections, which cause sore throat include:
- Whooping Cough: disease of the respiratory tract infection of mucous membrane
- Diphtheria: Infectious disease which causes throat inflammation
- Strep Throat: Swelling of the throat caused by the Streptococcal bacteria
GERD:
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive tract disease which is characterized by the backflow of the stomach acid into the food pipe (esophagus). GERD may also cause sore throat.
Toxins/Irritants:
Many substances such air pollution, cigarette smoke, and noxious airborne chemicals may also cause sore throat. Medical conditions such as allergies, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), cough, and postnasal drip can cause a sore throat. The intentional or unintentional absorption of certain elements, for example, bleach can cause a sore throat.
Medical Treatment:
Certain medical treatment can such as tonsillectomy, airway management during operation, chemotherapy, antibiotics, or other immune-compromising medications cause a sore throat.
HIV Infection:
A person HIV –positive may have a frequent or chronic sore throat due to secondary infection.
Common problems include oral thrush which is also called fungal infection and cytomegalovirus infection, which is a common viral infection.
Common problems include oral thrush which is also called fungal infection and cytomegalovirus infection, which is a common viral infection.
Tumors:
Tumors of the tongue, throat or voice box (larynx) can cause a sore throat. Other signs may include difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, noisy breathing, a lump in the neck, blood in the saliva and a lump in the neck.
Symptom of Sore Throat
The Sore throat is a pain in the throat. Symptoms associated with common infectious conditions are included:
- A high temperature (fever)
- Tiredness
- Headache
- aching muscles
- Lack of appetite
- Sneezing
- Chills
- Coughing
- Redness and/or swelling of the back of the throat and tonsils
- White patchy areas on the tonsils
- Swollen / tender lymph nodes in the neck
- Runny nose
- Feeling of unwell
In Young Children:
- Refusing to feed
- High temperature
- Cough
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability
- Frequent crying
- Sneezing
- Diarrhea
- Runny nose
- Tiredness
How to Prevent a Sore Throat?
Following steps you can help you prevent the sore threat.
- Do not share drinking glasses with infected individual.
- Try to avoid close contact with the persons who are infected with the viral infection.
- People who are taking antibiotic for bacterial infections should finish their course of antibiotic to completely reduce the infection and decrease disease.
- Avoid cigarettes smoke, pollution and pollen.
- Stay indoors in high pollen days.
- Use sanitizing cleanser to clean the telephone, television, TV remotes, and computer keyboards.
- Use alcohol based hand sanitizers while soap and water are not accessible.
Related Article:
- Natural Ways to Cure Sore Throat
