Sore throat pain is often characterized as painful and annoying pain of the throat. It is often related to other ailments. Depending on the cause of sore throat pain, it usually resolves on its own while other cases need medications.
What is Sore Throat Pain?
Sore throat pain is irritation of the throat that usually worsens when you drink and swallow. It can occur due to several reasons. The simplest reason is shouting or singing for a long period. Depending on the symptoms, it can also be an onset of viral infection or bacterial infection. Sore throat associated with viral infection may be alleviated through home remedies but sore throat due to bacteria like Streptococcus needs antibiotics to avoid rheumatic fever.
Untreated sore throat due to bacteria may result to rheumatic fever in kids. Rheumatic fever is a serious condition that may result to fever, joint pain and inflammation of the heart.
If your sore throat is associated with fever and may have trouble in swallowing. Visit your doctor right away to rule out underlying serious ailments.
What are the Causes of Sore Throat Pain?
The causes of sore throat pain are divided to two main reasons. It can be due to a viral illness or bacterial infections.
Viral illnesses that cause sore throat are:
- Flu
- Colds
- Monucleosis
- Mumps
- Measles
Bacterial infections that cause sore throat pain are:
- Strep throat (which may lead to rheumatic fever if sore throat remain untreated)
- Tonsillitis
- Uvulitis
- Sexually transmitted disease
Aside from viral illnesses and bacterial infection, other causes related to sore throat pain are:
- Allergies to pets and molds
- Pollution
- Smoking
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- HIV
- Cancer
What are Sore Throat Pain Symptoms?
Sore throat pain symptoms vary according to the cause. Some of the symptoms may include:
- Sneeze
- Fever
- Hoarse voice
- Red tonsils
- Cough
- Pain when you swallow
- Feeling nauseous
Severe symptoms of sore throat related to other ailments may include:
- High fever
- Rashes
- Blood found in phlegm
- Lump in the neck area
Consult your doctor to see the cause of your sore throat especially if your symptoms do not heal with home treatments.
How can you Prevent Sore Throat Pain?
Sore throat pain due to bacteria or virus is transmittable. The best defense against it is prevention. Preventing sore throat may include:
- Proper washing of the hands with soap and water should be observed especially before eating meals.
- Cover you nose when sneezing.
- Use hand sanitizers
- If you can avoid it, do not use public phones
- Quit smoking
- Avoid second hand smoke
- Bring your own water and avoid drinking using your mouth in public fountains
- Clean your computers and phones with sanitizer cleansers as these are the frequent places of bacteria.
- Avoid having a close contact with those who have flu like symptoms
- For those who have allergies, wear a mask when cleaning the house
What are Sore Throat Pain Treatments?
Sore throat pain treatments vary depending on the diagnosis. Some of effective treatments that may alleviate the discomfort are:
1. Antibiotics
Antibiotics are given if the cause of sore throat pain is bacterial. Antibiotics are taken for 7 to 10 days, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Finish the whole course of antibiotics for failing to do so may worsen your sore throat or it may lead to serious health problem like rheumatic fever.
2. Nasal Spray
If your sore throat pain is related to allergies, you may ask your doctor if you need nasal spray. Nasal spray can help in managing your allergies and sore throat.
3. Saltwater solution
Saltwater solution is the first home treatment for sore throat pain. Put 1 tsp. of salt to warm water and gargle the solution. You can gargle 2 to 3 times a day. This will soothe your sore throat and will lessen the redness of the tonsils.
4. Drink lots of water and fluids
Drinking lots of water may help in soothing the dryness of your sore throat. Aside from water, you may also drink warm broths and soups.
           5. Avoid smoking
Smoking will only worsen your sore throat. It is recommended that you avoid smoking to avoid irritating your throat.
           6. Sore throat lozenges
Sore throat lozenges may temporarily give comfort to your sore throat. Lozenges are for adults but do not give them to children to avoid choking.
Sore throat pain may be simple but it can lead to some serious problem if left untreated. Ask your medical health provider if your symptoms persist more than two weeks.
