Sore Throat - A Quick Read

Back to Quick Reads

Is your throat painful and scratchy recently?

Is the throat burning  tender and painful when you try to swallow?

What is sore throat?

• painful, dry, scratchy and tender feeling in the throat most commonly experienced.

Risk group

• Children are more susceptible than adults due to undeveloped immune system.

• People with weakened immune systems 

• Chemotherapy patients

• People around sore throat patients since it is contagious

Signs and Symptoms

• scratchy feeling in the throat

• feels raw and burning

• dry and painful

• mostly feels irritated and hurts to swallow or talk

• maybe with white patches around the tonsils.

• can be associated with:

  • running nose

  • cough

  • fever

  • swollen lymph nodes/glands

  • voice irregularities

Types 

Depending on the part of the throat affected:

• Pharyngitis - affects the area right behind the mouth

• Tonsilitis - inflammation of the tonsils, the soft tissue at the back of the mouth

• Laryngitis - redness, pain and swelling of the voice box or the larynx.

• Epiglottitis - swelling and redness of the flap tissue at the back of the mouth

• Quinsy - pus collection at the back of the throat

Causes

• Environmental factors like dry air, smoke or chemicals

• Glandular fever

• Injury to the throat

• Irregular or increased use of the vocal cords like in yelling

• reflux conditions

• associated with cough and cold symptoms

• recent cough bout

• Viral origins

• Bacterial sources commonly strep throat.

• Pollen and pet exposure

• Breathing through mouth while asleep

• Allergies

Lifestyle Alterations

• Gargle with warm salt solution to relieve the symptoms

• Consume warm soothing drinks

• If burning sensation, try consuming something cool like ice block to help with it.

• use air humidifier in case it is being caused by dry air conditions.

• Avoid raising the voice more than required if caused by frequent yelling.

• Increase fluid intake

• Avoid smoking or smoky environments

• Avoid allergens

Treatment and alternatives

Depending on the cause:

• use suitable pain relief medicines

• throat sprays

• throat gargles

• lozenges

• cough medication

• herbal teas

• Antibiotics

Prevention

• avoid getting cold or flu

• Wash hands regularly

• Avoid touching the eyes or mouth

• Cover up when coughing and sneezing

• Eating balanced meals

• Keep immune system active and healthy by exercising and resting well.

• Avoid smoking

• Keep personal items seperate eg cups and plates

• Avoid close contact with people who are currently sick

Complications

• difficulty in breathing

• frequent sore throats

• Drooling 

• Urinary infections

• Sinusitis

• Systemic infections

• Rheumatic fever

• Mastoiditis

• Peritonsillor abscess

• Glomerulonephritis

(Pic credit:www.healthline.com)

All these and more are available at Health First pharmacy...visit us for all your health needs first...talk to us first!!!