Sore throat

Alternative Names

Sore throat, Pharyngitis, Tonsillitis

What is Sore throat

A sore throat is a symptom of a disease that affects the pharynx or the area around the tonsils. It can be caused by a virus or bacteria. Sore throat can be symptomatic of the condition itself or one of a number of symptoms belongs to a wider illness such as flu and glandular fever.

The disease is prevalent among children and young people, but in some cases, it can appear at any age.

Signs and symptoms

The common signs and symptoms of sore throat include:

• Pain or a scratchy sensation in the throat
• Pain that worsens with swallowing or talking
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dry throat
• Sore, swollen glands in your neck or jaw
• Swollen, red tonsils
• White patches or pus on your tonsils
• Hoarse or muffled voice
• Refusal to eat (infants and toddlers)

Possible complications

Sore throat typically does not cause any complications and lasts about a week. But in rare cases, the following complications can occur:

• a secondary infection in the middle ear, sinuses or chest
• a rash (scarlet fever)
• a throat abscess that usually occurs only on one side
• rheumatic fever
• a particular kidney disease (glomerulonephritis)

What causes

Sore throat is usually caused by colds and flu. Other possible causes can include:

• Allergies
• Mononucleosis
• Smoking
• Strep throat
• Tonsillitis- an infection in the tonsils

Prevention

Scientists do not know the effective way to prevent a sore throat. You can decrease your risk:

• Drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration
• Wash your hands often, especially when you are around people who are sick
• Identify and avoid irritants such as smoke, fumes or yelling that cause a sore throat
• Do not smoke or use other tobacco products and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke
• Avoid contact with people who have strep throat
• If you have mononucleosis, do not share eating or drinking utensils to prevent spreading the virus to others. A brief kiss on the lips is not likely to spread mono; it is spread when saliva from an infected person enters another person's mouth.

Treatment

If your sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe you antibiotics. Penicillin is the most common antibiotic treatment, taken by mouth for 10 days. If have an allergic reaction to penicillin, your doctor will prescribe you an alternative antibiotic.

You must take the full course of antibiotics as prescribed even if the symptoms go away completely. Failure to take all of the medication as directed may result in the infection worsening or spreading to other parts of the body. Not completing the full course of antibiotics to treat strep throat can, in particular, increase a child's risk of rheumatic fever and serious kidney inflammation.