What gives you a sore throat?

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1. What is a sore throat?

A sore throat is a painful, dry, or itchy sensation in the oropharynx. A sore throat is one of the most common symptoms and causes more than 13 million medical visits each year.
Most people with sore throat are related to infection or external factors such as dry air. Although uncomfortable, a sore throat can go away on its own without treatment.
Sore throats are divided into several different groups, including:
Pharyngitis, which involves the area just below the mouth. Vaginitis is a red, swollen uvula Inflammation of the larynx, which includes both the vocal cords.

2. Symptoms of a sore throat

Symptoms of sore throat can vary depending on the cause. When you have a sore throat, you will experience itching, burning, dryness, irritation, and pain. These signs get worse when the person eats and talks. The lining of the pharynx and palate may also be swollen, edematous, and red.

Occasionally, white patches of pus will be present on the oral mucosa and palate. This sign is common when you have a sore throat caused by streptococcus bacteria.
Accompanied by a feeling of sore throat, the patient must also experience signs such as:
Congestion of the nasal mucosa Runny nose Watery Sneezing Cough Fever Chills Swollen lymph nodes in the neck Hoarseness Body aches Muscle aches Pain head Difficulty swallowing Decreased appetite. Most cases of sore throat do not need to be examined at medical facilities, however, patients should not be subjective, especially when they have the following characteristics:
Symptoms of sore throat are more severe Sore throat does not subside after 3 days High fever above 39 degrees for more than 2 days Shortness of breath History of other medical conditions such as bronchial asthma, cardiovascular disease, HIV, diabetes or pregnancy. These subjects are at high risk of complications from pharyngitis.

3. Causes of sore throat

Some of the most common causes of a sore throat include:
3.1. Colds or flu Most sore throats are caused by a virus, which occurs after a cold or flu infection. Usually, the sick person will have other symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, cough, low-grade fever and fatigue.

It is quite difficult to distinguish between a cold and a flu infection, but people with the flu have more severe symptoms such as high fever and muscle aches. If your sore throat is caused by a virus, antibiotics won't work. Instead, gargling with warm salt water and using over-the-counter medications like lozenges and sprays are effective remedies
3.2. Streptococcus bacteria Strep throat is the term for inflammation caused by bacteria. Symptoms may include sore throat, white pus swelling in the lining of the mouth and palate, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and high fever. When having strep throat, the patient does not have symptoms of sneezing and runny nose.
Anyone can get a sore throat, but children 3 to 15 years of age are at higher risk. In adults, only about 10% of sore throats are caused by streptococcus bacteria.
The doctor may order a rapid strep test (rapid strep test) by scanning the back of the throat. If the result is positive, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics for treatment.
3.3. Gastroesophageal Reflux When acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus, the throat can become irritated and painful. This is one of the most often overlooked causes of a sore throat.
If the patient has only a sore throat, the cause of gastroesophageal reflux should be considered. Patients with reflux often present with a dry cough, trouble swallowing, and a feeling of choking in the throat.
If you have reflux, your doctor will suggest changing some lifestyle habits such as eating more protein, less fat, and limiting the use of coffee and alcohol. Patients can use over-the-counter medications or as directed by a doctor.

3.4. Allergies This is the cause of sore throat that many people don't think about. If a sore throat is suspected to be caused by an allergen, sneezing, a runny nose may be accompanying symptoms. Mucus from the nasal mucosa can be guided down the posterior area and cause irritation.
3.5. Dry air Dry air reduces moisture from the mouth to the throat, causing a dry and itchy feeling. Patients are prone to sore throats due to dry air during the winter months, when heaters are used.
3.6. Secondhand smoke and chemicals Many different chemicals and molecules present in the external environment can irritate the throat, including:
Tobacco smoke Air pollution Cleaning products or cleaning chemicals 3.7 Trauma Any type of related trauma can cause a sore throat. Food stuck in the neck area can also cause irritation.
Talking too much puts a strain on the vocal cords and the muscles of the pharynx. So, a sore throat can also appear after shouting, talking loudly, or singing for a long time. Many cases of sore throat have been reported in teachers and instructors, occupations that require frequent speaking.
3.8. Tumor A tumor in the throat, larynx, or tongue is a rare cause of a sore throat. If the sore throat is caused by a malignancy, the symptoms will not improve on their own or go away after a few days.

4. How is a sore throat diagnosed?

A diagnosis of sore throat is established based on clinical symptoms, examination of the pharynx, and strep testing. The doctor will dig up information regarding the patient's medical history and medical history. The doctor then proceeds to use a bronchoscope to the posterior pharyngeal wall, checking for signs of swelling and white patches. Your doctor may also examine your neck and jawline to look for swollen lymph nodes.
If streptococcus sore throat is suspected, the person will be asked to have a throat swab for diagnostic testing. The type of test usually chosen to perform is the rapid bacterial detection test, which gives results in a few minutes, and the culture test, which takes a few days.
Occasionally, patients need to perform more laboratory tests to find out the cause of sore throat. An otolaryngologist will be the one to examine and treat if the cause of sore throat has not been discovered or has recurred many times.

5. Sore throat, what to do?

Most sore throats can be treated at home. The body's immune system should have a chance to fight off pathogens. To relieve symptoms of a sore throat, patients can apply the following measures:
Gargle with a diluted salt water solution: Mix salt with warm water to soothe the discomfort of the throat. Opt for warm drinks, like hot tea with honey, hot lemonade, or broth. Herbal teas are especially effective in relieving sore throats.

Can soothe the throat by eating ice cream Use lozenges Use a humidifier to add moisture to the surrounding air. Refrain from speaking until your sore throat symptoms improve.

6. When to see a doctor for a sore throat?

Sore throat is usually caused by a viral agent, so it usually goes away on its own in 2 to 7 days without seeing a doctor. However, a sore throat due to other causes should be treated.
Patients should go to medical facilities when they have the following symptoms:
Sore throat gets worse Trouble swallowing Difficulty breathing or pain when breathing Difficulty opening mouth Pain in joints High fever over 38 degrees Celsius Stiff neck Ear pain Blood in saliva or sputum Sore throat lasting more than a week If you have unusual signs or swelling and sore throat persist, you should go to medical centers for examination and treatment. imaging methods to find the cause and have timely treatment direction.
Vinmec International General Hospital is the address of many good doctors with expertise and experience in the treatment of ENT diseases. Especially with modern facilities, medical equipment of international standards, sterile space will bring optimal treatment results for customers.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: healthline.com