Sore Throat - Pharyngitis

The medical name for a sore throat is pharyngitis. It makes the throat dry and raw, and causes discomfort or even pain when you swallow.

Sore throat pain is usually caused by a viral infection like the flu or a cold, but it can also be bacterial in nature (see strep throat). Often, it's the first sign that you're getting sick.

A sore throat is one of the most common reasons people see a doctor, but one caused by a virus will usually go away on its own without treatment. However, antibiotics and medical care may be appropriate if the problem is caused by bacteria.

Viruses and bacteria that cause colds and sore throat are contagious. They enter your body through your mouth or nose. They float in the air when someone sneezes or coughs, and you can get them simply through breathing them in. You can also get by touching surfaces they have contaminated. This is why frequent hand washing during cold and flu season is important.

These germs spread easily wherever people congregate in groups, such as schools, child care centers and offices.

Symptoms

Symptoms were mentioned above: a raw feeling and discomfort when swallowing. Since a sore throat often accompanies a cold or the flu, you may also have a fever and possibly a cough.

In certain cases, a sore throat may indicate something more serious however, like tonsillitis or strep throat. In such cases, the following symptoms may appear:

• A high fever — over 101 F (38.3 C) in babies under age 6 months or 103 F (39.4 C) in older children and adults
• A sore throat that doesn't get better on its own or keeps coming back
• Headaches
• Inability to swallow
• Severe throat pain
• Skin rash
• Swollen, red tonsils
• Vomiting
• White patches or pus on your throat or tonsils.

When such symptoms are present, it's time to see a doctor.

Sore throat remedies

As mentioned above, a sore throat caused by a virus will go away by itself (remember, antibiotics are useless against viruses).

Drinking a lot of fluids such as water, soups and broths will help, but stay away from sodas and drinks that contain caffeine. These tend to dehydrate you. If swallow becomes extremely painful, you can sip hot broth through a straw or suck on ice chips. Certain kinds of gelatin (such as Jell-O) may bring some relief. Some people report that eating certain kinds of fruit, such as apples, reduce their discomfort.

Getting some extra bed rest usually helps speed up recovery.

A bacterial throat infection may respond to antibiotics, but doctors are increasingly hesitant to prescribe them. Antibiotics have been overused to the degree that many antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria have developed.

Prevention

To avoid sore throat (and also colds and flu), follow these rules.

• As best you can, keep your distance from people who are sick.
• Don't share eating utensils, glasses, napkins, food or towels.
• Don't touch public phones or drinking fountains with your mouth.
• Humidify your home if the air is dry.
• If you're going on an airplane, keep the air nozzle above you closed. Air circulating in the cabin can spread germs that cause infections.
• Regularly clean surfaces in your home: telephones, TV remotes and computer keyboards. When you travel, clean phones and remotes in your hotel room.

The best way to prevent illness is also one of the simplest: frequent, thorough hand washing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are an excellent alternative to hand washing, particularly when soap and water aren't available. However, it's not necessary to use antibacterial soaps. With proper hand washing, standard soap will kill germs just as well.

For information on similar topics, click on throat pain causes, laryngitis and throat cancer.