Sore Throat
Overview
A sore throat is characterized by soreness, scratchiness, or inflammation in the throat that intensifies when swallowed. However, a viral illness, such as a cold or the flu, is the most frequent cause of a painful throat (pharyngitis). A virus-induced sore throat goes away on its own.
To avoid complications, strep throat (streptococcal infection), a less popular type of sore throat caused by bacteria, necessitates antibiotic treatment. Other, less common causes of sore throat may require a more extensive approach.
Symptoms
Depending on the cause of a sore throat, the symptoms can differ. The following are possible signs and symptoms:
- Pain that gets worse when you swallow or talk
- Pain or a scratchy sensation in the throat
- Swallowing problems
- Neck or jaw glands that are swollen and painful
- Tonsils swollen and red
- Tonsils with white spots or pus
- A voice that is hoarse or muted
Other indications and symptoms of an infection that causes a sore throat include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Body aches
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
What Causes a Sore Throat?
The cause of a sore throat isn't always clear. However, it's usually a sign of a viral or bacterial infection.
Common Causes
A painful throat is frequently a sign of:
- Colds or flu – you may also have a blocked or runny nose, a cough, a high temperature (fever), a headache, and general aches.
- Laryngitis (inflammation of the voice box) – you may also have a hoarse voice, a dry cough, and a constant need to clear your throat.
- Tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils) – you may also have red or spotty tonsils, discomfort when swallowing, and a hi8gh temperature.
- Strep throat (a bacterial throat infection) – swollen glands in the neck, difficulty swallowing, and tonsillitis glandular fever – fatigue, fever, and swollen glands in the neck are all symptoms of strep throat.
It can also be due to something irritating your throat, such as tobacco, allergies, or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (a condition in which stomach acid flows up into the throat).
Less Common Causes
A sore throat is less typically a symptom of:
Epiglottitis (inflammation of the flap of tissue at the back of the throat) – the pain may be severe, and you may have difficulty breathing and swallowing.
Quinsy (a painful collection of pus at the back of the throat) – the pain may be severe, and you may also have difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing.
These are more serious conditions that should be seen by a physician as soon as feasible.
How a Sore Throat Is Diagnosed
The doctor can ask about your symptoms and examine the back of your neck for redness, inflammation, and white spots with a light. Swollen glands may be felt on the sides of your neck by the physician.
Swab Test
If a doctor suspects a bacterial cause for a sore throat, they can frequently take a throat swab for laboratory testing to see if a strep infection is present.
There are a few options for accomplishing this.
With a cotton-tipped applicator, the doctor obtains a sample from the back of the throat and tonsils. Someone smears the material in a culture dish in the lab. It thrives if strep bacterium is present. It normally takes 24 hours to do this task.
The results of a fast strep test can be obtained in minutes. A culture test may be recommended by a clinician to confirm a negative quick strep test result.
Antibiotics cannot help if the test is negative, indicating that the infection is caused by a virus.
EBV Test
If a doctor suspects EBV, a blood test can be recommended to confirm the diagnosis. More information can be found in our dedicated article.
A sore throat can also be caused by something else, such as a tumor. If the problem persists, the doctor may conduct additional research to determine the source.
Treatment
Medicines can be used to address the underlying source of a sore throat or to ease the pain.
Throat pain can be relieved with over-the-counter drugs such as:
- Acetaminophen is a pain reliever that contains acetaminoph (Tylenol)
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- Aspirin
Aspirin should not be given to children or teenagers since it has been related to Reye's syndrome, an uncommon but dangerous illness. This has the potential to be fatal.
You can also try one or more of the following remedies to relieve the pain of a sore throat:
- A throat spray with a numbing antiseptic, such as phenol, or a cooling component, such as menthol or eucalyptus
- Throat lozenges
- Cough syrup
Some herbs are sold as sore throat medicines, such as marshmallow root, slippery elm, and licorice root. Although there isn't much evidence that these help, one research found that a herbal beverage called Throat Coat, which contains all three, did reduce throat pain.
GERD medications that lower stomach acid can assist with a sore throat. These are some of them:
Antacids that help to neutralize stomach acid:
- Tums, Maalox, Rolaids, and Mylanta.
- Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) and famotidine (Pepcid AC) are H2 blockers that lower stomach acid production.
- PPIs such as lansoprazole (Prevacid 24) and omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid OTC) are used to prevent acid formation.
When You Need Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections such as strep throat. Infections caused by viruses cannot be treated.
Furthermore, antibiotics must be used to treat strep throat in order to avoid more dangerous consequences such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and rheumatic fever. It can cut the duration of a sore throat by a day and minimize the risk of rheumatic fever by more than two-thirds.
Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for a 10-day period by doctors. Even if you start to feel better, it's critical to finish the entire bottle of medication. Stopping an antibiotic too soon can leave germs alive, causing you to become ill again.
Living with a Sore Throat
Beyond treatment, the only thing you can do is relieve the pain of a sore throat. The following are the most effective treatments:
- Use an over-the-counter pain reliever. Brand names like Tylenol, Motrin, and Aleve fall within this category.
- Warm saltwater should be gargled. Stir together one teaspoon of salt and one cup of water.
- Suck on a throat lozenge from the drugstore. Hard candy also works.
- Take a bite out of a popsicle.
- In your bedroom, use a humidifier. Place it in other rooms where you spend time.
- To avoid a dry throat, drink plenty of liquids. This also aids in the prevention of dehydration.
Home Remedies
There are a few home remedies that can help treat sore throat symptoms:
- Get enough sleep.
- To keep the throat hydrated and avoid dehydration, drink plenty of water.
- Cold snacks, such as popsicles, for youngsters.
- Gargling with warm, saltwater, or apple cider vinegar lozenges or hard candy for children over the age of four years and adults to alleviate a sore throat and cough.
Alternative Treatment Options
Other home treatments might be beneficial, but they aren't necessarily safe for everyone.
Over-the-counter lozenges containing zinc acetate are available.
According to three studies published in 2015, dissolving zinc acetate pills in the mouth may improve symptoms of a common cold in adults, including a scratchy throat.
More proof is needed, however, to establish that it works and is safe in the long run. It can also cause nausea and an unpleasant taste in the mouth, among other side effects.
Zinc nasal sprays are also available, although they have caused some people to lose their sense of smell permanently. These products should not be used by children.
Can I Get a Prescription Online for a Sore Throat?
Yes, our doctors can issue online prescriptions for sore throats and strep throat medications. Antibiotics may be administered as the first line of treatment for strep throat. Amoxicillin, Penicillin, and Augmentin are some of the most common antibiotics prescribed by our doctors for strep throat. You, however, first have to consult with our online doctor for a sore throat.
Prevention
A sore throat can be avoided by taking a few simple precautions.
To avoid the bacteria that can cause a sore throat, take the following precautions:
- Avoid touching your nose or mouth.
- Wash your hands frequently, including after sneezing and coughing.
- Do not share food, eating utensils, or drinking glasses.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue, discard it and wash both hands promptly.
- Avoid touching public drinking fountains with your mouth, avoid close contact with ill Individuals, and stay away from people if you are ill.
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers if soap and water aren't accessible.
- Don't smoke or be near someone who does.
Conclusion
The majority of sore throats are caused by viral and bacterial infections, as well as allergens and injuries. Without treatment, most sore throats improve in a couple of days.
A painful throat can be relieved at home with rest, warm beverages, saltwater gargles, and over-the-counter pain medicines.
Antibiotics are used to treat strep throat and other bacterial illnesses. A swab test can be used by your doctor to determine if you have strep.
More serious symptoms, such as problems breathing or swallowing, a high fever, or neck stiffness, should be addressed by a doctor.
WARNING: Limitations of Online Doctor/Medical Consultations and Online Prescriptions, QuickRxRefills Cannot and Will NOT Prescribe, Dispense, or Resell any and all medications Narcotics/Controlled Substances (this policy is fully enforced by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)) for Anti-depressants, Pain, Anxiety, Weightloss, Sleep, ADHD/ADD, Anabolic Steroids, Testosterone Replacement Therapy and any and all Medications that contain GabaPentin or Pseudroephedrine including non-controlled substances or any medications that are considered controversial, Off Labeled (Growth Hormone aka HGH) or recalled in nature such (i.e. Retin-A, Accutane). Furthermore, QuickRxRefills is not a substitute for an office based physician in your location nor is it a substitute for Emergency Medical Care or 911. If you do experience a "true" medical emergency your are encouraged to pick up the phone and dial 911 as soon as possible.
