A sore throat is a pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often worsens while swallow.The most common cause of a sore throat (pharyngitis) is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. A sore throat caused by a virus resolves on its own.
SYMPTOMS OF SORE THROAT
Symptoms of a sore throat can vary depending on the cause. Signs and symptoms might include:
- Pain or a scratchy sensation in the throat
- Pain that worsens with swallowing or talking
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sore, swollen glands in your neck or jaw
- Swollen, red tonsils
- White patches or pus on your tonsils
- A hoarse or muffled voice
Infections causing a sore throat might result in other signs and symptoms, including:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Body aches
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
OTHERS SYMPTOMS OF SORE THROAT
- A sore throat that is severe or lasts longer than a week
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Joint pain
- Earache
- Rash
- Fever higher than 101 F
- Blood in our saliva or phlegm
- Frequently recurring sore throats
- A lump in our neck
- Hoarseness lasting more than two weeks
- Swelling in your neck or face
CAUSES OF SORE THROAT
Viral infections
Viral illnesses that cause a sore throat include:
- Common cold
- Flu (influenza)
- Mono (mononucleosis)
- Measles
- Chickenpox
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Croup — a common childhood illness characterized by a harsh, barking cough
Bacterial infections
A number of bacterial infections can cause a sore throat. The most common is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) which causes strep throat.
Other causes
Other causes of a sore throat include:
- Allergies-Allergies to pet dander, molds, dust and pollen can cause a sore throat. The problem may be complicated by postnasal drip, which can irritate and inflame the throat.
- Dryness- Dry indoor air can make our throat feel rough and scratchy. Breathing through your mouth — often because of chronic nasal congestion also can cause a dry, sore throat.
- Irritants-Outdoor air pollution and indoor pollution such as tobacco smoke or chemicals can cause a chronic sore throat. Chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and eating spicy foods also can irritate your throat.
- Muscle strain-One can strain muscles in their throat by yelling, talking loudly or talking for long periods without rest.
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Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-GERD is a digestive system disorder in which stomach acids back up in the food pipe (esophagus).
Other signs or symptoms may include heartburn, hoarseness, regurgitation of stomach contents and the sensation of a lump in your throat.
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HIV infection-A sore throat and other flu-like symptoms sometimes appear early after someone is infected with HIV.
- Tumors-Cancerous tumors of the throat, tongue or voice box (larynx) can cause a sore throat. Other signs or symptoms may include hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, noisy breathing, a lump in the neck, and blood in saliva or phlegm.
RISK FACTORS
Although anyone can get a sore throat, some factors make you more susceptible, including:
- Age- Children and teens are most likely to develop sore throats. Children ages 3 to 15 are also more likely to have strep throat, the most common bacterial infection associated with a sore throat.
- Exposure to tobacco smoke-Smoking and secondhand smoke can irritate the throat. The use of tobacco products also increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat and voice box.
- Allergies- Seasonal allergies or ongoing allergic reactions to dust, molds or pet dander make developing a sore throat more likely.
- Exposure to chemical irritants-Particles in the air from burning fossil fuels and common household chemicals can cause throat irritation.
- Chronic or frequent sinus infections- Drainage from our nose can irritate our throat or spread infection.
- Close quarters-Viral and bacterial infections spread easily anywhere people gather, whether in child care centers, classrooms, offices or airplanes.
- Weakened immunity- One are more susceptible to infections in general if our resistance is low. Common causes of lowered immunity include HIV, diabetes, treatment with steroids or chemotherapy drugs, stress, fatigue, and poor diet.
PREVENTION OF THROAT INFECTION
The best way to prevent sore throats is to avoid the germs that cause them and practice good hygiene. Follow these tips and teach your child to do the same:
- Wash hands regullarly
- Avoid sharing food, drinking glasses or utensils.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue and throw it away. When necessary, sneeze into your elbow.
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers as an alternative to washing hands when soap and water aren't available.
- Avoid touching public phones or drinking fountains with mouth.
- Regularly clean telephones, TV remotes and computer keyboards with sanitizing cleanser. When you travel, clean phones and remotes in your hotel room.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINE FOR SORE THROAT
ACONITE : Very useful for sore throat when it comes on suddenly, often after exposure to a cold air. There may be burning in the throat with stinging pain.Useful for dry swollen throat.
APIS MEL : Very useful for sore throat for children who have red,inflamed throat with swollen tonsils, which is aggravated by warm drinks or food and relieved by cold drinks or sucking on an ice cube.Given when throat hurts even when the child is not swallowing.There is dryness in the throat with a burning, stinging pain.They have constrictive feeling in the throat. The inner and outer throat is swollen, and the uvula which hangs from the upper throat is also swollen. There is sensation of a fishbone caught in the throat and may have difficulty swallowing. They may experience hoarseness in the mornings and cannot stand to have anything around their neck.
ARSENIC ABUM : Useful for tonsilities when children have a burning pain in the throat that is relieved by warm food or drinks and aggravated by cold food or drinks.Given when condition begin with a nasal discharge and then go into the throat. Recommended when pains are usually worse on the right side. There may also be dryness of the mouth with a great thirst for frequent sips of water.
BELLADONNA : Useful for tonsilitis at the early stages of other types of sore throat.Given when tonsils are noticeably red, usually scarlet red. There are burning pains and a constant desire to swallow yet it hurts to do so. There is a constricting feeling in the throat, which causes difficulty even swallowing water. There is a tendency to desire lemons or lemonade. There is a tickling in the larnyx.
RL - 28 : for Tonsil & Throat Infection : https://bit.ly/3jSOIe4
Or As Directed by Physician
