Post by Admin on Jul 22, 2015 12:05:55 GMT -4
Definition
By Mayo Clinic Staff
A sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow.
A sore throat is the primary symptom of pharyngitis — inflammation of the throat (pharynx). But the terms "sore throat" and "pharyngitis" are often used interchangeably.
The most common cause of a sore throat is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. A sore throat caused by a virus resolves on its own with at-home care. Strep throat (streptococcal infection), a less common type of sore throat caused by bacteria, requires additional treatment with antibiotic drugs to prevent complications.
Other less common causes of sore throat may require more complex treatment.
Symptoms of a sore throat may vary depending on the cause. Signs and symptoms may 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
Common infections causing a sore throat may result in other signs and symptoms, as well. They may include:
Fever
Chills
Cough
Runny nose
Sneezing
Body aches
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
When to see a doctor
Take your child to a doctor if your child's sore throat doesn't go away with the first drink in the morning, recommends the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Get immediate care if your child has severe signs such as:
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty swallowing
Unusual drooling, which may indicate an inability to swallow
If you're an adult, see your doctor if you have a sore throat and any of the following associated problems occur, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology:
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 (38.3 C)
Blood in saliva or phlegm
Frequently recurring sore throats
A lump in your neck
Hoarseness lasting more than two weeks
Most sore throats are caused by viruses that cause the common cold and flu (influenza). Less often, sore throats are due to bacterial infections.
Viral infections
Viral illnesses that cause a sore throat include:
Common cold
Flu (influenza)
Mononucleosis (mono)
Measles
Chickenpox
Croup — a common childhood illness characterized by a harsh, barking cough
Bacterial infections
Bacterial infections that can cause a sore throat include:
Strep throat, which is caused by a bacterium known as Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A streptococcus
Whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory tract infection
Diphtheria, a serious respiratory illness that's rare in industrialized nations, but is more common in developing countries
Other causes
Other causes of 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, especially in winter when buildings are heated, can make your throat feel rough and scratchy, particularly in the morning when you first wake up. Breathing through your mouth — often because of chronic nasal congestion — also can cause a dry, sore throat.
Irritants. Outdoor air pollution can cause ongoing throat irritation. Indoor pollution — tobacco smoke or chemicals — also can cause chronic sore throat. Chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and eating spicy foods also can irritate your throat.
Muscle strain. You can strain muscles in your throat just as you can strain them in your arms or legs. Yelling at a sporting event, trying to talk to someone in a noisy environment or talking for long periods without rest can result in a sore throat and hoarseness.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a digestive system disorder in which stomach acids or other contents of the stomach 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.
HIV infection. A sore throat and other flu-like symptoms sometimes appear early after someone is infected with HIV. Also, a person who is HIV-positive may have a chronic or recurring sore throat due to a secondary infection. Common problems include a fungal infection called oral thrush and cytomegalovirus infection, a common viral infection that can be serious in people with compromised immune systems.
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.
Rarely, an infected area of tissue (abscess) in the throat causes a sore throat. Another rare cause of a sore throat is a condition that occurs when the small cartilage "lid" that covers the windpipe swells, blocking airflow (epiglottitis). Both causes can block the airway, creating a medical emergency.
Although anyone can get a sore throat, some factors make you more susceptible. These factors include:
Being a child or teenager. Children and teens are most likely to develop sore throats. Children are also more likely to have strep throat, the most common bacterial infection associated with a sore throat.
Being exposed 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.
Having allergies. If you have seasonal allergies or ongoing allergic reactions to dust, molds or pet dander, you're more likely to develop a sore throat than are people who don't have allergies.
Being exposed to chemical irritants. Particulate matter in the air from the burning of fossil fuels, as well as common household chemicals, can cause throat irritation.
Having chronic or frequent sinus infections. Chronic or frequent sinus infections increase the risk of sore throat because drainage from the nose can irritate the throat or spread infection.
Living or working in close quarters. Viral and bacterial infections spread easily anywhere people gather — child care centers, classrooms, offices, prisons and military installations.
Having decreased immunity. You're more susceptible to infections in general if your resistance is low. Common causes of lowered immunity include HIV, diabetes, treatment with steroids or chemotherapy drugs, stress, fatigue, and poor diet.
If you or your child has a sore throat, make an appointment with your family doctor or your child's pediatrician. In some cases, you may be referred to a specialist in ear, nose and throat (ENT) disorders or an allergy specialist (allergist).
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
What you can do
Write down any symptoms you or your child has had, and for how long.
Note any recent, possible sources of infection, such as a friend or family member with a sore throat or a cold.
Write down key medical information, including any other health problems and the names of any medications you or your child is taking.
Write down questions for the doctor.
Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For sore throat, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
What is the most likely cause of these signs and symptoms?
Are there any other possible causes?
What tests are needed?
What treatment do you recommend?
How soon do you expect symptoms to improve with treatment?
How long will this be contagious? When is it safe to return to school or work?
What self-care steps might help?
Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
How can other health conditions best be managed with sore throat?
Don't hesitate to ask other questions as they occur to you.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask a number of questions about you or your child. Your doctor may ask:
What symptoms have you had besides a sore throat?
When did these symptoms begin?
Have these symptoms included a fever? How high?
Have you had trouble breathing?
Does anything worsen your sore throat, such as swallowing?
Does anything seem to make the symptoms better
Is a sore throat a recurring problem?
Do you smoke? Are you or your child regularly exposed to secondhand smoke?
Do you have allergies? Do you take allergy medication?
Do you have any drug allergies?
What you can do in the meantime
If you or your child has a sore throat, try these steps.
Keep your hands clean, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and don't share personal items.
Gargle with 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of table salt in 8 ounces (237 milliliters) of warm water also may help.
Rest, drink fluids, eat soft foods and take pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) to help ease symptoms. Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than age 2, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. This is because aspirin has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, in such children.
ALWAYS SEEK A DOCTOR WHEN THESE ISSUES ARE KNOWN
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