Sore Throat
By Dr Tim Ong
The average person gets sore throat two or three times in a year. When the throat hurts, it is an indication that there is inflammation in your throat, and this inflammation is most commonly due to an infection.
The most common throat infection is a viral infection, which is self-limiting, usually lasting about a week. A viral sore throat does not respond to antibiotics. Your body will produce its own antibodies to fight the viral infection.
However, not all sore throats are due to viral infection. Sometimes, it may be due to a bacterial infection, and this is most commonly due to a group of bacteria called Streptococcus. Unlike a viral sore throat, streptococcal sore throat responds well to antibiotic treatment.
Sore throats that are due to infection are contagious.
When to see a doctor
It is difficult to differentiate a viral sore throat from a streptococcal infection. A runny nose, sneezes and generalized bodyache, accompanies most viral sore throat but these symptoms may also be present in a streptococcal sore throat. Only a culture from a throat swab can confirm the diagnosis.
Generally you should see a doctor if:
- your temperature is 102 F or higher
- you have white spots on your tonsils
- breathing or swallowing are very difficult
- lymph nodes in your neck are hard, swollen, or tender
- you have a skin rash
All these symptoms are highly suspicious of a streptococcal infection. Streptococcal sore throat generally responds well to appropriate antibiotics and heal without complications. Untreated streptococcal sore throat may lead to tonsillitis, sinusitis, ear infection and even pneumonia.
On rare occasions, a streptococcal throat can cause damage to the heart valve (acute rheumatic fever) and kidneys (nephritis). For these reasons, it is important to treat it with antibiotics.
The most dangerous complication from a throat infection is epiglotitis. This happened when bacteria infect the voice box and cause swelling that closes the airway. This condition is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment. Its most prominent symptom, apart from extreme pain in the throat, is a muffled speech and difficulty in breathing.
Caring for your sore throat
Your self care goal is to reduce the pain in your throat and to avoid substances or conditions that may worsen the symptom.
Drink plenty of water – at least 8 glasses per day. Gargle with warm salt water every one or two hours, or get a thymol gargle from your pharmacist. Lozenges may also soothe your sore throat. Mild pain-killer such as paracetamol is also effective in relieving pain.
If you smoke, stop smoking. Smoking predisposes you to sore throat and may aggravate an existing one. Singing or shouting also worsen a sore throat. People with nasal congestion or blocked nose may breath through their mouth when they sleep and this may also cause or worsen a sore throat.
Take a look into your throat using a flashlight. Saying “ahh” may make the tonsils more visible. Look for white or yellow patches on the tonsils or the back of the throat. If they are present, you are likely to have streptococcal infection and you should see your doctor.
