What Causes a Sore Throat and How Can You Treat it?

A sore throat is a scratchy, dry and painful sensation in a person’s throat. Pain in the throat is one of the most common symptoms associated with a sore throat. This accounts for a huge number of people visiting the doctor every year. Keep reading to find out what causes a sore throat in Glenrothes Fife and how to treat it.

A good number of sore throat cases are caused by environmental factors like infections and dry air. However uncomfortable they might be, sore throats normally disappear on their own.

Sore throats come in three main types, which are:

– Tonsillitis ­- the tonsils swell and turn red
– Pharyngitis – mainly affects the region behind the mouth
– Laryngitis – swelling and redness of the voice box or larynx

Symptoms of a sore throat (What causes a sore throat in Glenrothes Fife)

The symptoms of sore throat are different depending on the cause. These symptoms are:

– A burning sensation
– Tenderness
– Feeling scratchy
– Feeling irritation
– Dry throat

Swallowing or talking can worsen these symptoms. The throat or tonsils can also turn red.

Sometimes white patches or pus can form in some parts of the tonsils. Other symptoms may include:

– Nasal congestion
– Swollen glands in the neck
– Appetite loss
– Body aches
– Fever
– Chills
– Hoarse voice
– Trouble swallowing
– Sneezing
– Headache
– Runny nose
– Coughing

You may also feel heartburn, a sensation of a lump in the throat, and regurgitation of stomach contents.

What causes a sore throat in Glenrothes Fife?

Most sore throats are caused by viruses that also lead to the flu and common colds. They are rarely caused by bacterial infections.

Viral infections

Below are the viral conditions that come with a sore throat:

– Flu (influenza)
– Common cold
– Measles
– Chickenpox
– Mono (mononucleosis)
– COVID-19
– Croup – an illness that comes with a harsh, barking cough that mostly affects children

Bacterial infections

A sore throat can arise from a number of bacterial infections, the most common one being Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) which leads to strep throat.

You can learn more about the types of minor ailments we treat here:

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Other causes

Below are some of the other factors that lead to a sore throat:

– Allergies. Allergic reactions to pet dander, dust, pollen, and molds can cause a sore throat. Postnasal drip, which can cause irritation and inflammation of the throat, can complicate the situation.

– Dryness. Dry indoor air can leave your throat feeling scratchy and rough. Breathing through the mouth, mostly as a result of chronic nasal congestion, can also lead to a dry and sore throat.

– Irritants. Indoor and outdoor air pollution such as chemicals or tobacco smoke can lead to a chronic sore throat. Drinking alcohol, eating spicy foods, as well as chewing tobacco can also irritate your throat.

– Muscle strain. Straining muscles in your throat can result from talking for long periods without a break, or talking loudly.

– Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).  This is a digestive system complication where the stomach acids go up into the esophagus (food pipe).

– HIV infection. A sore throat and other symptoms related to flu may appear soon after a person is infected with HIV. A person with HIV can also experience a chronic sore throat due to a fungal infection referred to as oral thrush or because of a viral infection known as cytomegalovirus (CMV), which can lead to severe complications for people with weak immune systems.

– Tumors. A cancerous tumor of the tongue, larynx (voice box), or throat can lead to a sore throat.

Now I know what causes a sore throat in Glenrothes Fife – how can I treat it at home?

Most cases of a sore throat can be treated at home and don’t require visiting your pharmacist. The first step should be getting plenty of rest to fully allow your immune system to resist the infection.

To reduce the pain associated with a sore throat:

– Gargle with warm water mixed with half to full teaspoon of salt.
– Drink warm fluids to give your throat a soothing effect, such as a mix of warm water and lemon, or hot tea and honey, or soup broth. Herbal teas have also been found to give a sore throat a soothing feeling.
– Keep your throat cool by eating cold treats such as ice cream or ice lollies. Suck on a hard sweet or a lozenge.
– Get a cool-mist humidifier to add moisture to the air in the room.
– Reduce speaking until your throat gets better.

How will Cadham Pharmacy Help?

Feel free to get in touch with us for any questions concerning ways you can get rid of the pain and discomfort that comes with a sore throat. These include using:

– Paracetamol and ibuprofen
– Anaesthetic spray
– Medicated lozenges including anti-inflammatory medicine, anaesthetic, or antiseptic

Learn how to treat a sore throat and other minor ailments with our quality services here:

Get Treatment Our NHS Services

 

This blog post was written on behalf of Cadham Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.