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Sore Throat What is
a sore throat? Sore throat is a
common symptom that ranges in severity from just a sense of scratchiness to
severe pain. Pharyngitis is the
medical term for sore throat. How does it occur? Sore throat is caused
by inflammation of the throat (pharynx). The pharynx is the area behind the
tonsils. A sore throat may be the first symptom of an illness as mild as a cold
or the flu or of a disease as severe as mononucleosis or scarlet fever. A sore throat that
comes on suddenly is called acute pharyngitis. It can be caused by bacteria or
viruses. A sore throat that lasts for a long time is called chronic pharyngitis.
It occurs when a respiratory, sinus, or mouth infection spreads to the throat. Sore throats can also
be caused by: •
cigarette smoking •
breathing heavily polluted air or chemical fumes •
swallowing substances that hurt the lining of the throat. What are the symptoms? Symptoms may include: •
a raw feeling in the throat that makes breathing, swallowing, and
speaking painful •
redness of the throat •
fever •
pus in your throat •
earache •
tender, swollen glands in your neck. How is
it diagnosed? Your health care
provider will ask about your symptoms and examine your throat. Your provider
also will examine you for signs of other illness, such as sinus, chest, or ear
infections. Just by looking at
your throat, it is often hard for your health care provider to decide whether a virus or bacteria are
causing your sore throat. Your provider may swab your throat to test for strep
infection. How is it treated? Usually no specific
treatment is needed if a virus is causing the sore throat. It most often gets
better on its own within 5 to 7 days. Antibiotic medicine does not cure
viral pharyngitis. For acute pharyngitis
caused by bacteria, your health care provider may prescribe an antibiotic. For chronic pharyngitis,
your provider will try to find and treat the cause. How long will the effects
last? Viral pharyngitis often
goes away in 5 to 7 days. If you have bacterial
pharyngitis, you will feel better after you have taken antibiotics for 2 to 3
days. You must, though, take all of your antibiotic even when you are feeling
better. If you don’t take all of it, your sore throat could come back. How can I take care of
myself? •
Do not smoke. •
Get plenty of rest. •
You may want to rest your throat by talking less and eating a diet that
is mostly liquid or soft for a day or two. •
Nonprescription throat lozenges and mouthwashes should help relieve the
soreness. •
Gargling with warm salt water and drinking warm liquids may help. •
A nonprescription pain reliever such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or
ibuprofen may ease general aches and pains. (Anyone under age 21 with a fever
should not take aspirin because it increases the risk of Reye’s syndrome.) If your sore throat
lasts for more then a few days, call your health care provider. How can I prevent a sore
throat? The following
suggestions may help prevent a sore throat: •
Don’t share eating and drinking utensils with others. •
Wash your hands often. •
Don’t let your nose or mouth touch public telephones or drinking
fountains. •
Avoid close contact with other people who have a sore throat. •
Stay indoors as much as possible on high-pollution days. •
Don’t stay in areas where there is heavy smoke from cigarettes. •
Humidify your home if the air is quite dry. Developed by McKesson Clinical Reference Systems. Published by McKesson Clinical Reference Systems. This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation. advice. diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Women’s Health Advisor 2002.2 Index Women’s Health Advisor 2002.2 Credits Copyright © 199 1-2002 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved. |
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