Quick look at the symptoms of a sore throat:
You might feel the following sore throat symptoms:
- Dry and scratchy throat.
- Pain in swallowing.
- Pain when speaking.
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Upset stomach.
- Swelling of lymph nodes.
- Nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
- Runny nose.
- Cough.
- Fatigue or feelings of tiredness
- Hoarseness.
- Redness or swelling in your throat and tonsils.
- White patches, spots, or streaks in your throat and tonsils.
What is pharyngitis?
A sore throat, or pharyngitis, is characterized by scratchiness and pain at the back of the throat (the pharynx). It happens when the lining tissue of your throat (mucosa) becomes inflamed. If you experience a sore throat, swallowing or talking might be painful.
Various factors, such as viral and bacterial infections, allergies, or sleeping with your mouth open, may cause pharyngitis. Typically, symptoms of a sore throat get better with home treatment within a few days. Nonetheless, seek medical attention if your sore throat persists beyond a week, worsens, or if you experience additional symptoms like fever or swollen lymph nodes.
What might be the causes of pharyngitis?
The following are the common causes of sore throats:
- Bacterial infections: such as conditions like strep throat, caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, and bacterial sinus infections, can cause a sore throat, especially in winter.
- Viral Infections: Seasonal viruses like the common cold and flu are the primary causes of sore throats. These infections often present with symptoms such as nasal congestion, cough, and fever.
- Tonsillitis: occurs when your tonsils become infected and inflamed. Both bacteria and viruses can cause it.
- Dry Air: Indoor heating, essential in winter, can reduce humidity and bother sensitive throat tissues.
- Allergies: to pollen, dust mites, pets, or mold can lead to mucus dripping down the back of your throat, known as postnasal drip, which might cause a sore throat.
- Acid reflux: Individuals with gastroesophageal reflux disease often feel a burning sensation and discomfort in their throat. This feeling, called heartburn, results from stomach acid backing up into the esophagus.
- Excessive shouting or exposure to irritants: can put strain on your throat. You may also get a sore throat from eating spicy foods, smoking, or drinking very hot liquids.
- Mouth breathing: You may develop a sore throat if you breathe through your mouth instead of your nose during sleep. Causes of mouth breathing include nasal congestion, sleep apnea, and dental or skeletal abnormalities.
- Tumors: While a sore throat seldom indicates cancer, it can be a sign of throat cancer or benign (noncancerous) growths.
What are the risk factors for a sore throat?
Anyone can get a sore throat, but some factors make it more likely, including:
- Exposure to tobacco smoke: whether from actively smoking or through secondhand exposure, can lead to throat irritation. Moreover, using tobacco products increases the risk of developing cancers of the mouth, throat, and voice box.
- Individuals with seasonal allergies: or other allergic reactions are more susceptible to sore throats.
- Exposure to chemicals: Tiny airborne particles from burning fossil fuels, household cleaners, and other chemicals can irritate the throat.
- Having frequent sinus infections: can cause mucus from the nose to drain down the throat, which may irritate the throat or spread disease.
- Being in proximity to others: facilitates the spread of viral and bacterial infections, especially in crowded settings like child care centers, classrooms, offices, arenas, and airplanes.
- A weakened immune system: makes individuals more susceptible to various infections. Common causes include HIV, diabetes, steroid or chemotherapy treatments, stress, fatigue, and poor nutrition.
How is a sore throat diagnosed?
Your doctor may use the following plan to diagnose.
- Physical exam: Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and conduct a physical assessment, including examining your throat, tongue, and possibly your ears.
- Strep test: A strep test may be conducted to identify the bacteria responsible for strep throat. This testing is essential if your provider cannot determine from your symptoms whether a virus or bacteria is causing your sore throat. The results will help determine the appropriate treatment.
What are the treatment options for pharyngitis?
Your doctor might recommend these treatment options based on the symptoms, cause, and severity of your sore throat.
- Antibiotics: Your doctor will recommend antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection. Most people are prescribed them for 5-7 days for mild infections.
- Over-the-counter antihistamine medications: If your sore throat is caused by allergies leading to post-nasal drip, your doctor might prescribe antihistamines to relieve your runny nose.
- Over-the-counter antacids: Antacids can help relieve acid reflux that causes heartburn and sore throats. Your doctor may prescribe proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers to reduce GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) symptoms. Other measures, like avoiding large meals right before bedtime, may also be beneficial.
- Prescription mouthwash: For a severe sore throat caused by conditions like cancer, your doctor might prescribe a special mouthwash that contains a numbing agent (such as lidocaine).
What are some preventive steps for a sore throat?
Following preventive measures can help with a sore throat and may reduce the symptoms:
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, aiming for at least 20 seconds each time. Pay special attention after using the toilet, before and after meals, and after sneezing or coughing.
- Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Avoid sharing food, drinking glasses, or utensils like forks, knives, and spoons.
- It is advised to cough or sneeze into a tissue and toss it away. Then wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze into your elbow.
- Use hand sanitizers, also known as alcohol-based hand cleansers, to clean your hands when soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching public phones or drinking fountains with your mouth.
- Regularly clean and disinfect phones, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, and computer keyboards. When traveling, also clean telephones, light switches, and remotes in hotel rooms.
- Avoid contact with people who are ill or showing symptoms.
Conclusion
Diagnosing the cause of your sore throat and alleviating its symptoms should be your doctor’s priority. Common causes of pharyngitis include viral infections such as COVID-19, colds, and influenza, as well as other winter-related illnesses. The doctor recommends home remedies such as drinking hot tea, adding honey, staying well-hydrated, and gargling with salt water. If symptoms persist or worsen and cause significant discomfort, consult your doctor promptly for appropriate treatment.
Frequently asked questions:
How long will it take for my sore throat to heal?
Sore throats usually last from a few days to a week. If it persists, doctors classify it as a chronic sore throat. It is essential to consult your doctor if there is no improvement within this timeframe so that they can identify the underlying cause. Additional tests or medications may be necessary to treat the infection, reduce pain, or both.
How to manage a sore throat?
Throat pain can indicate an infection, such as a cold or the flu. Usually, it improves within a week, but if you have a fever along with a sore throat, it’s best to see your doctor. Knowing what is causing your throat pain is essential so you can treat it correctly and get back to eating and drinking comfortably as soon as possible.
What can I anticipate if I develop a sore throat?
Usually, a sore throat is not severe; however, it often indicates a cold or the flu. Viral sore throats typically clear in three to 10 days. If it persists, it might signal a condition that requires prescription medication or other treatments advised by your doctor.
How does cold weather affect your throat?
Cold weather and sore throats often happen together, but infections do not always cause them. An inflamed pharynx is called pharyngitis or a sore throat. Winter dry air can irritate the throat by drying tissues. Diseases are more common in cold weather because viruses survive better in cold, dry air, and more indoor contact increases infection risk, especially for those with weakened immune systems.
Why do I experience throat pain every winter?
Even if you do not have a cold or flu, your throat might still hurt, making it hard to focus. If you get a sore throat during winter, it is likely a real problem that a doctor should check.
