Understanding Sore Throat and the Best Way to Treat It
Usually, the cooler, dry, and dusty months of the year come with their peculiar challenges such as the common colds, influenza, flu, and even covid-19.
A sore throat comes with a painful, burning, dryness, or scratchy feeling in the throat, usually, the patients find it difficult when swallowing i.e. saliva.
In the most severe case of a sore throat, the patient complains of chills, fever, and some hoarseness or laryngitis.
Most sore throats are caused by infections, or by environmental factors like dry air. Although a sore throat can be uncomfortable, it’ll usually go away on its own.
The pharynx or back of the throat frequently becomes inflamed when a person has a cold or an attack of influenza.
Lymph glands along the sides of the neck may become swollen and tender. The back of the throat itself may be very red and even covered with a greyish-white membrane.
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A sore throat can be attributed to these common causes
- Common cold, flu, and other viral infections
- A sore throat may be due to streptococcus germs, and other bacterial infections.
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Common Symptoms of Sore Throat
A combination of both viral and bacterial infection exhibit the following symptoms:
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Sudden Sore throat
- Difficulty and pain when swallowing
- The patient complains of chills
- Fever
- Hoarseness or laryngitis
- Headache
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- Red and swollen tonsils
- Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth
- Poor appetite
- Abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, especially in children
Examining the throat
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When to See Your Doctor
- When you are unable to breathe through your nose, you have to breathe through your mouth.
- Difficulty swallowing i.e saliva
- When you notice blood in your saliva or phlegm
- Excessive drooling especially in young children
- Dehydration
- Lump in the neck
- High fever
- Rash
- Persistent sore throat
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Treatment
A patient who is severely ill should always be seen by a physician as soon as possible to avoid further health issues.
It is important to rule out diphtheria. Various antibiotics can be used when it is established that the sore throat is caused by bacteria.
All treatment and drugs should be done and prescribed by your physician.
Parents should also realize the dangers of strep throat, especially in young people and children. Certain streptococcus germs are responsible for the very serious condition known as rheumatic fever.
Soreness of the throat and neck can often be relieved by applying a heating compress, you can also gargle with warm salt water, drink a lot of fluids coupled with enough rest.
A great variety of medicated lozenges are available, and these usually help to reduce irritation. Keep the patient in bed as long as there is a fever.
