Why do you have a sore throat on one side?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor I Le Van Quang - Department of General Surgery - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital
Sore throat, sore throat on one side is often a sign of common diseases such as flu, sore throat, tonsillitis, ... but can also be a warning symptom of many other serious diseases.

1. What are the causes of one-sided pharyngitis?

Throat is swollen on one side, sore throat can be caused by the following reasons:
1.1 Tonsillitis The tonsils are located at the back of the throat, whose main function is to prevent the attack of viruses and bacteria on the body. . At the same time, the tonsils also have the function of secreting natural antibodies to fight infections. In some cases, the tonsils cannot resist the attack of bacteria, the virus will swell, causing tonsillitis. Sometimes, only one side of the tonsil is inflamed, causing one-sided pharyngitis, swelling and pain on one side. The treatment of tonsillitis is usually antibiotics.
1.2 Abscesses around the tonsils Abscesses usually form after the tonsils become infected with bacteria. A peritonsillar abscess forms in the tissues near the tonsils, usually when tonsillitis becomes severe or left untreated. This condition can cause severe pain on one side of the throat, right or left half of the throat. Besides, tonsil abscess also causes fever, swollen lymph nodes and difficulty swallowing, even breathing. Therefore, patients with abscesses around the tonsils need urgent medical attention.
1.3 Tonsillitis Stone Due to the chronic process of tonsillitis, in the nooks and crannies of the tonsils there are many stones formed from food, bacteria and secretions of tonsil tissue. When having tonsil stones, patients often have symptoms of swallowing problems on one side, bad breath, sometimes spitting out a stone equivalent to 1/2 a grain of rice, light yellow in color and very foul.
1.4 Swollen lymph nodes due to inflammation Inflammation, swelling, pain in one side of the throat can also be caused by swollen lymph nodes. Lymph nodes (lymph nodes) play an important role in the functioning of the immune system. They function as filters, trapping foreign particles and are prone to inflammation and swelling when doing this task.
The lymph nodes closest to the throat are located on either side of the neck, when swelling or inflammation can cause a sore throat. Sometimes the lymph node is swollen and painful only on one side. Causes of swollen lymph nodes include: colds or flu, strep throat, ear infections, infectious mononucleosis caused by the EBV virus, gingivitis or tooth abscesses, cancer, HIV , infected skin lesions in the area,...

2. Other causes of a sore throat on one side

In addition to pharyngitis, symptoms of a sore throat on one side can also come from other causes such as:
2.1 Having postnasal drip syndrome Postnasal drip syndrome is a condition in which fluid flows from the sinus system through the back of the nose to the wall. back of the throat, causing throat congestion, itching, sore throat, cough. The disease is usually caused by bacterial sinusitis, viral infection or cold infection. The combined causes are: gastroesophageal reflux syndrome - esophagitis, endocrine disorders and immunodeficiency. Postnasal drip syndrome is often prolonged because of the continuous discharge, causing discomfort and a sore throat on one side in some cases.
2.2 Gastroesophageal reflux disease Gastroesophageal reflux disease includes increased stomach acid, reflux into the esophagus and pharynx. The disease is more severe at night or when the patient is lying down. When the patient lies on one side, the reflux of stomach acid can cause pain on one side of the throat. Other symptoms of the disease include sore throat, burning in the chest, hoarseness, dry cough, burning in the mouth, a feeling of tightness in the throat,... If this condition is not treated early, it can lead to real damage. esophagus and throat.
2.3 Hand, foot and mouth disease Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by a virus that causes sores on the hands, feet, and mouth. Sores can develop in the back of the mouth, and the pharynx wall and side of the throat may be more affected, causing a unilateral sore throat. It usually occurs in children under 5 years of age but can also occur in older children and adults.
2.4 Injury to the vocal cords Using the larynx too closely in activities of speaking, singing, shouting, ... can damage the vocal cords on one side, causing pain in one area of ​​the throat. In addition to a sore throat, the patient also has hoarseness.

2.5 Cancer The rarer causes of a sore throat on one side are nasopharyngeal cancer, lateral wall cancer, oropharyngeal cancer,... In the early stages of the disease, patients have symptoms. vague pain on one side of the throat, maybe no lymph nodes. At an advanced stage, the disease's symptoms will be clearer, including nosebleeds, headache, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, blood in the saliva, prolonged hoarseness,... Depending on the location of the tumor, it will have specific symptoms.
There are many causes of sore throat, sore throat on one side. In order to diagnose the disease correctly, the patient should go to a reputable medical facility, from which the appropriate treatment method is available.
Vinmec International General Hospital with a team of qualified and experienced doctors in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases, including one-sided pharyngitis, along with a system of medical equipment continuously invested, updated with new and most effective treatment methods in the world, is a safe and reasonable choice for patients with pharyngitis and those suspected of having this disease.

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.