Are you feeling pain or itchiness in your throat every time you eat or talk? You may be experiencing a sore throat.
A sore throat, or also called pharyngitis, is an irritation of the throat accompanied by pain when swallowing.
The symptoms of sore throat can vary depending on its severity. The most common signs of a sore throat include:
- Experiencing pain when talking or swallowing
- Having a difficult time swallowing
- Swollen and red tonsils
- Swollen and sore glands in the jaw and neck area
- Pus or white patches on your tonsils
- A hoarse voice
If your sore throat comes from an infection, your symptoms may include the following:
- Headache
- Fever
- Cough
- Body aches
- Sneezing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Runny nose
Knowing what caused your sore throat may help in treating it. Here are the top five most common causes of sore throat that you must be aware of:
- Bacterial Infection
Bacterial infection can cause sore throat. One of the most common bacteria that causes a sore throat or strep throat is the streptococcus bacteria. Some symptoms include:
- White patches that can be seen on the throat
- A fever above 101°F or 38 °C
- Tender and swollen glands in the areas of the neck
To prevent complications, get a doctor’s prescription of an antibiotic to fight infection.
Strep throat in children can be dangerous and can result in kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. If your children are complaining to have a sore throat, consult a doctor right away in order to prevent complications.
- Viral Infection
A sore throat can also be caused by a viral infection that can come from flu, a common cold, chickenpox, measles, croup (a harsh barking cough on children), or the currently dreaded Covid-19.
If your symptoms persist after several home remedies, consult your doctor. You can also go to a walk in clinic Thunder Bay for a consultation or checkup.
- Allergies
A sore throat can also be due to several allergens. The most common allergens that can trigger a sore throat include moulds, dust, pet danders, and pollen. Avoid using a postnatal drip if you have allergies to avoid more complications. Instead, consult your doctor or look for medical doctors online.
If you already have allergies, make sure to clean your room and house regularly to get rid of these allergens. Also, practice living healthy with regular exercise. Eat healthy foods, have enough sleep and rest to boost your immune system.
- Irritants
You can get a chronic sore throat from outdoor air pollution and indoor air pollution. The most common irritants that can trigger a sore throat include tobacco smoke, chemicals with strong odours, smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating spicy foods.
Avoid going out to polluted places or smoking places like a pub or bar.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a disorder in your digestive system that causes the stomach acids to go back up in the esophagus, causing a sore throat.
Other signs of GERD include heartburn, a sensation of a lump in your throat, and hoarseness.
If you see these symptoms, consult your doctor right away.
Ways to Prevent a Sore Throat
In order to prevent a sore throat, you need to practice having good hygiene to avoid catching on germs, bacteria, and viruses. Listed below are some tips you can practice and teach your kids:
- Wash your hands before eating, after using a toilet, or when you sneeze or cough.
- Use a hand sanitizer as often as you can whenever you touch various things in public places.
- Avoid sharing food with other people. Do not share your utensils and drinking glasses too as these can spread the virus.
- Use a tissue when you sneeze or cough to avoid spreading your virus to other people surrounding you. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough on your elbows.
- Always clean your phone, your remote controls, computer keyboards, and things that you mostly use on a daily basis. If you frequently travel, do the same especially in hotel rooms and public places.
- Avoid coming in contact with people who are sick.
Common sore throats usually go away after five to ten days. If the symptoms persist beyond this time, consult a doctor for further immediately. If you have severe symptoms like having difficulty breathing, difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing, having blood in your saliva or mucus, a rash or swelling in your jaw and neck, a fever above 101°F, a lump in the neck, earache, hoarseness in your throat that lasts over 2 weeks, and a sore throat that does not go away you need to see a physician. Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen before having a consultation. Even if sore throat is commonly not dangerous, complications may still arise if they are not treated right.
Take your health as a priority. Get yourself checked regularly and find a trusted doctor that can treat your illness.