Sore Throat Causes, Symptoms And Prevention
A sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat which often worsens if you want to swallow. The most frequent cause of a sore throat (pharyngitis) is a viral disease, like a cold or the flu. A sore throat brought on by a virus resolves by itself.
Strep throat (streptococcal infection), a less common kind of sore throat brought on by germs, and requires treatment with antibiotics to prevent complications. Other less frequent causes of sore throat may require more advanced treatment, these are the sore throat causes.
Sore Throat Causes
Viruses that cause the frequent cold and influenza (influenza) additionally cause most sore throats. Less frequently, bacterial infections cause sore throats.
Bacterial infections
Some bacterial infections can cause a sore throat. The most regular one is Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A streptococcus, which causes strep throat.
Viral infections
Viral illnesses that cause a sore throat include:
- Measles
- Chickenpox
- Croup — a common childhood illness characterized by a harsh, barking cough
- Common cold
- Flu (influenza)
- Mononucleosis (mono)
Other causes
Other causes of a sore throat include:
- Muscle strain. You may strain muscles in your throat by crying, like in a sporting event; speaking loudly; or speaking for extended periods without rest.
- HIV infection. A sore throat and other flu-like symptoms occasionally appear early after a person is infected with HIV. Additionally, somebody who’s HIV-positive may have a chronic or recurring sore throat because of a secondary infection, such as a fungal disease called oral contraceptive and cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease, a common viral disease which could be severe in people with compromised immune systems.Both oral contraceptive and CMV can happen in anybody, but they are more inclined to create a sore throat and other symptoms in individuals with weakened immune systems.
- Irritants. Air pollution may cause continuing throat irritation. Indoor pollution — tobacco smoke or chemicals — also can result in a chronic sore throat. Chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and eating hot foods can also irritate your throat.
Symptoms
Sore throat symptoms can vary depending on the cause. Symptoms and signs and might include:
- Sore, swollen glands in your neck or jaw
- Swollen, red tonsils
- White patches or pus on your tonsils
- Hoarse or muffled voice
- Pain or a scratchy sensation in the throat
- Pain that worsens with swallowing or talking
- Difficulty swallowing
Frequent infections resulting in a sore throat may lead to additional symptoms and signs, including:
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Body aches
Prevention
The best method to prevent sore throats will be to prevent the germs which cause them and exercise decent hygiene. Follow these tips and instruct your child to do exactly the same:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Wash your hands properly and regularly, after using the toilet, before eating, and after sneezing or coughing.
- 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.
