Sore
Throat
Sore
Throat
The medical name for a sore throat is pharyngitis. It makes the
throat dry and raw, and causes discomfort or even pain when you
swallow.
Sore throat is usually caused by a viral
infection like the flu or a cold, but it can also be bacterial
in nature (see strep throat).
Often, it's the first sign that you're getting sick.
A sore throat is one of the most common reasons
people see a doctor, but one caused by a virus will usually go
away on its own without treatment. However, antibiotics and
medical care may be appropriate if the problem is caused by
bacteria.
Viruses and bacteria that cause colds and sore
throat are contagious. They enter your body through your mouth
or nose. They float in the air when someone sneezes or coughs,
and you can get them simply through breathing them in. You can
also get by touching surfaces they have contaminated. This is
why frequent hand washing during cold and flu season is important.
These germs spread easily wherever people
congregate in groups, such as schools, child care centers and
offices.
Symptoms
Symptoms were mentioned above: a raw feeling
and discomfort when swallowing. Since a sore throat often
accompanies a cold or the flu, you may also have a fever and
possibly a cough.
In certain cases, a sore throat may indicate
something more serious however, like tonsillitis or strep
throat. In such cases, the following symptoms may appear:
-
A high fever — over 101 F (38.3 C) in babies under
age 6 months or 103 F (39.4 C) in older children
and adults
-
A sore throat that doesn't get better on its own or
keeps coming back
-
Headaches
-
Inability to swallow
-
Severe throat pain
-
-
Swollen, red tonsils
-
Vomiting
-
White patches or pus on your throat or tonsils.
When such symptoms are present, it's time to
see a doctor.
Sore throat remedies
As mentioned above, a sore throat caused by a
virus will go away by itself (remember, antibiotics are useless
against viruses).
Drinking a lot of fluids such as water, soups
and broths will help, but stay away from sodas and drinks that
contain caffeine. These tend to dehydrate you. If swallowing
becomes extremely painful, you can sip hot broth through a
straw or suck on ice chips. Certain kinds of gelatin, like
Jell-O, may bring some relief. Some people report that eating
certain kinds of fruit, such as apples, reduce their
discomfort.
Getting some extra bed rest usually helps speed
up recovery.
A bacterial throat infection may respond to
antibiotics, but doctors are increasingly hesitant to prescribe
them. Antibiotics have been overused to the degree that many
antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria have developed.
Prevention
To avoid sore throat (and also colds and flu),
follow these rules.
-
Wash your hands often.
-
As best you can, keep your distance from people who
are sick.
-
Don't share eating utensils, glasses, napkins, food
or towels.
-
Don't touch public phones or drinking fountains
with your mouth.
-
Humidify your home if the air is dry.
-
If you're going on an airplane, keep the air nozzle
above you closed. Air circulating through the
cabin can spread germs that cause infections.
-
Regularly clean surfaces in your home: telephones,
TV remotes, computer keyboards, and surfaces of
sinks in the kitchen or bathrooms.
-
When you travel, clean phones and remotes in your
hotel room.
Related articles: Throat
Health, Strep Throat,
Throat Cancer.
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