A sore throat is a common medical problem and one of the most common in children. A virus, bacteria or dry air are the primary causes of a sore throat. The symptoms of a sore throat can range from redness or tenderness around the throat glands, difficulty breathing, pain when swallowing and pus around the tonsils. There are different causes and treatments for a sore throat. When laryngitis is present, you may also have a horse voice. A sore throat accompanied by a cold will have more coughing and runny nose. In strep throat, there is pain in the throat glands. These are all common causes of a sore throat that should be treated accordingly.
Facts
A sore throat is the discomfort, pain or swelling of the throat which can make it painful to swallow. Sore throats are common but there are many causes of a sore throat. It is important to understand the cause so that proper treatment is obtained. A common sore throat that is a symptom of the common cold is caused when the sinuses are infected, and it drains down the back of the throat and irritates the throat. Sore throats are usually most painful at night and early morning.
Types
There are many factors that can contribute to a sore throat. The most common are viruses such as mononucleosis or the flu. Sore throat in some viruses can cause blisters in the throat and mouth. Throat dryness and soreness can also be caused by breathing through the mouth. Strep throat and Arcanobacterium haemolyticum are two common bacterial causes of sore throat. Sinus drainage can also cause a sore throat. Candida, which is more commonly known as thrush, is another form of sore throat that can be treated with antibiotics or chemotherapy.
Prevention/Solution
Most sore throats will need to run their course before it will get better. There are a few ways to temporarily relieve a sore throat while it completes its cycle. Throat lozenges, hard candy, salt water gargles or sprays such as Chloraseptic will all help to reduce the pain during a sore throat. Sore throats that are caused by dry air and breathing through the mouth can be helped by using a humidifier to reduce the symptoms. For more severe pain, ibuprofen or acetaminophen may help to control the pain of a sore throat. In virus or the common cold in adults, the use of a decongestant such as Sudafed or a nose spray such as Afrin to clear up the nasal passage so that you can breathe out of your nose and not your mouth may also be helpful.
Considerations
Sore throats are more painful in the morning and may get better during the day. In the winter, it is common for people to wake up with a sore throat that can be relieve with a glass of water. At the beginning of a cold, it is common to have a sore throat. A sore throat is typically not strep throat if it is accompanied with a cold. The majority of colds are caused by a viral infection and cannot be relieved with an antibiotic.
Warnings
A sore throat that last more than 2 weeks may possibly be the sign of a more sever illness. Cancer or AIDS are among the leading serious causes of a prolonged sore throat. Young children should avoid using lozenges or hard candy because they are a choking hazard. Nasal spray products such as Afrin should not be used for more than a few days. It is easy to become dependent on nasal sprays.
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