You have been feeling like scratching your throat. It hurts to swallow and talk. This isn’t the first time you ended up with a bad throat. You have often wondered why it occurs and what you should do about it and how to prevent future episodes.
About Sore Throat
Sore throat may lead to symptoms of irritation, pain, discomfort, change in the quality of voice, or difficult or painful swallowing. Accompanying these, there can be fever, blocked nose, or breathing by the mouth. A more severe sore throat may even disrupt sleep and the irritation in the throat can lead to coughing. Children may refuse feeds when suffering from sore throat. Sometimes, there can be enlargement of the tonsils which are almond shaped structures present in the back of the throat. Tonsils form a part of the body’s defenses to fight infections. Chills, sneezing, body ache, and vomiting may also be present.
Causes
Sore throat can be caused by a number of factors, both infectious and noninfectious.
Most often, an infection is caused by a viral illness. Bacterial infections are far less common when compared to the viral ones. The viral illnesses that can cause a sore throat are the common cold, influenza (flu), measles, chicken pox, and mononucleosis. These are caused by different viruses and the throat can be involved during the course of the illness if not primarily affected by the causative viruses. Amongst the bacterial infections that affect the throat are those caused by the bacteria called streptococci (streptococcal throat), whooping cough, and diphtheria. Whooping cough is a contagious infection of the throat that causes a harsh barking cough in children. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection which forms a membrane covering the throat which leads to pain and discomfort in the throat.
A non infectious sore throat can be caused due to allergy, irritation, dryness, or rarely a cancer. Allergy to dust or pet danger can lead to irritation in the throat. Dry air in winters can cause itching or discomfort in the throat. Irritants as in the cigarette smoke or polluted air, chewed tobacco, and spicy foods can cause soreness in the throat. Cold drinks, ice creams, fried foods are believed to predispose to sore throat in some people. Continuous voice strain as in prolonged talking can lead to change in quality of voice making it heavier and irritation in the throat. Talking may get more difficult in these cases. Some people have regurgitation of stomach content up in the food pipe and hence in the throat. This acidic content irritates the throat and may cause a sensation of lump in the throat. Tumors in the throat, tongue, voice box, or other surrounding structures can cause a lump, pain, or hoarseness in throat.
Diagnosis
The doctor will like to know the duration and frequency of sore throat. Physical examination of the throat is done by throwing light on the throat with the mouth wide open. To gain a direct view of the throat, a tongue depressor can be used. This is a flat spoon like instrument used to flatten the tongue so as to get a complete and clear view of the throat. In addition, the neck can be externally felt for any lumps. These lumps are usually the enlarged lymph nodes on the neck. These nodes are a part of the defense system in the body and enlarge in the presence of infections. Besides these, the doctor may use a stethoscope to listen to the breathing sounds in the chest. A commonly done test is the throat swab. A sterile swab of cotton will be rubbed over the throat to obtain a sample of the secretions. This is then sent to a laboratory for analysis of the nature of secretions and the causative factors. Throat swabs are useful in bacterial infections when they test positive for bacteria and are negative in viral infections. Blood tests include a complete blood count which gives the numbers of different cells found in the blood. A chest X ray may be done if a problem is suspected in the lungs. Additional tests may be done any accompanying medical conditions. If an allergy is suspected, a hypersensitivity testing may be done. This is usually done by injecting a small amount of the suspected agent under the fold of skin in the arm. The reaction is then measured by noting the redness that develops around the site of injection. This is basically to induce an allergic response to a challenge with the offending agent. Allergy to medicines is generally tested in this manner.
Treatment
Sore throat caused by a viral illness needs no treatment and lasts for about 5 to 7 days. If one is caused by bacterial infections, it is treated by infection fighting medicines called antibiotics. The commonly used antibiotics include amoxicillin, erythromycin, cefadroxil, cephalexin, or a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Generally antibiotics are prescribed for 7 to 10 days but azithromycin can be used to 3 to 5 days, depending upon the clinical condition of the patient and the severity of the infection.
If there are other medical conditions that are suspected to be causing the sore throat, these should be treated appropriately. Any reflux from the stomach should be treated with medicines to neutralize the effects of acid or with surgery to correct the reflux. Any cancer or enlarged tonsils should be treated. Exposure to dry air, irritants like smoke or pollutants, or allergy causing agents like pollen or animal danger should be avoided. An accompanying fever can be treated with medicines like paracetamol. Aspirin should be best avoided in children.
Avoiding a sore throat
Sore throat that is caused by viruses or bacteria is contagious. It can spread to others in the house or who are in close contact. The person affected should use a handkerchief to wipe away can secretions and to cover the mouth while coughing and sneezing. One should not share food, water, or utensils with others. Hans should be properly washed in soap and water before eating and after using the toilet. Home should be kept clean, appropriately humidified and well ventilated. Items that are frequently shared with others like the TV remotes and telephones should be cleaned well. It is best to quit smoking. If one is allergic to a particular substance, exposure to the same should be avoided. A filtering mask can be worn to keep away from dust or airborne particles.
Easing the pain of a sore throat
It is important to take rest and plenty of fluids when suffering from a sore throat. This helps in speedy recovery. One may take some hot soups or warm broth if one prefers. Saltwater gargles have the best soothing effects. These are easy to prepare. A teaspoon of salt can be added to around a quarter liter of warm water. After gargling, this can be spit out. Humidifiers can be used in the house to prevent dry air. The surroundings should be free from smoke and pollutants. Lozenges can be used to soothe the throat. These should however be avoided in children for the fear of choking.
You can treat your sore throat with good care and avoid any in future with proper precautions.
