The rainy season has something to do with our health condition. As the virus gets active during rainy or cold weather, one needs to be more cautious. One of the common ailments is a sore throat. Here are some insights about having a sore throat and some of its remedies.
Sore throat, or also called Pharyngitis, is a painful, scratchy or irritated throat. It is caused by swelling in the back of the throat (pharynx) between tonsils and the voice box (larynx). Children and teens are most likely to develop a sore throat.
Causes of Sore Throat
Sore throats are commonly caused by viruses, bacteria or fungal. Can include:
- Common cold
- Flu (influenza)
- Allergies (molds, dust or even pet dander)
- Irritants (smoking, eating cold & spicy food, drinking alcohol)
- Strep throats
- Tonsillitis
Symptoms of Sore Throat
Symptoms can vary depending on the cause.
- Pain and scratchy sensation of throat
- Swollen, redness of tonsils
- Difficulty or pain in swallowing
- White spots or pus in tonsils (usually caused by strep throat)
- Painful neck or jaw
In some cases, the following signs and symptoms may occur:
- Fever
- Headache
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Hoarse voice
- Joint or muscle pain
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
Home Remedies for Sore Throat
It is recommended to have full rest to help the immune system fight the infection. Here are some ways to ease or relieve the pain.
- Drink warm liquids frequently to keep throat from getting dry (preferably water, tea with honey or soup broth).
- Gargle with warm salt water. (1 tsp. salt, 1 cup water & stir)
- Moisture the air with cool-mist humidifier.
- Suck on a hard candy or an over-the-counter lozenge
Note: Taking antibiotics and anti-allergy must have a prescription. In most cases, sore throat gets better within a few days on their own. However, some patients must see a doctor if it gets worst.
Preventive tips for Sore Throat
Sore throat can be prevented by:
- Washing hands regularly
- Covering when sneezing or coughing
- Using alcohol-based hand sanitizers frequently
- Cleaning phones, telephone, TV remotes and computer keyboards often
- Avoiding sharing of food utensils
Sore throats, strep throats, and tonsillitis are often used interchangeably by many, yet they differ from one another. Tonsillitis refers to inflamed tonsils, while strep throat is an infection caused by a specific type of bacteria called Streptococcus. And, sore throat is the inflammation of the pharynx which in between tonsils and larynx.
References:
Dhakal. S., 2015 Sore throat: Viral, bacterial infection most common during seasonal changes. Retrieved from https://thehimalayantimes.com/lifestyle/health/sore-throat-viral-bacterialinfection-most-common-during-seasonal-changes/
Sore Throat, 2017 Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sorethroat/symptoms-causes/syc-20351635 Sore Throat, 2019 familydoctor.org. Retrieved from https://familydoctor.org/condition/sorethroat/?adfree=true
Vorvick, L., MD, et. al., 2017 Pharyngitis – sore throat. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000655.htm
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