Definition
A sore throat is discomfort, pain, or scratchiness in the throat. A sore throat often makes it painful to swallow.
Causes
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Definition
A sore throat is discomfort, pain, or scratchiness in the throat. A sore throat often makes it painful to swallow.
Considerations
Sore throats are common. Most of the time the soreness is worse in the morning and improves as the day progresses.
Like colds, the vast majority of sore throats are caused by viral infections. This means most sore throats will NOT respond to antibiotics. Many people have a mild sore throat at the beginning of every cold. When the nose or sinuses become infected, drainage can run down the back of the throat and irritate it, especially at night. Or, the throat itself can be infected.
Some viruses can cause specific types of sore throat. For example, Coxsackievirus sometimes causes blisters in the throat, especially in the late summer and early fall. Mono and the flu can also cause specific viral throat infections.
Strep throat is the most common bacterial cause of sore ...
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Other Names
Throat - sore; Pain - throat
Home Care
Most sore throats are soon over. In the meantime, the following remedies may help:
- Drink warm liquids. Honey or lemon tea is a time-tested remedy.
- Gargle several times a day with warm salt water. (1/2 tsp of salt in 1 cup water.)
- Cold liquids or popsicles help some sore throats.
- Sucking on hard candies or throat lozenges can be very soothing, because it increases saliva production. This is often as effective as more expensive remedies, but should not be used in young children because of the choking risk.
- Use a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier to moisten and sooth a dry and painful throat.
- Try over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen. DO ...
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Prevention
Clean your hands frequently, especially before eating. This is a powerful way to help prevent many sore throat infections. You might avoid some sore throats by reducing contact with people with sore throats, but often these people are contagious even before they have symptoms, so this approach is less effective.
Not too long ago, tonsils were commonly removed in an attempt to prevent sore throats. This is no longer recommended in most circumstances.
A cool mist vaporizer or humidifier can prevent some sore throats caused by breathing dry air with an open mouth.
References
Wald ER. Diagnosing and treating strep throat. Fam Pract Manag . 2004; 11(2): 20.
