A sore throat can simply be described as irritation or pain in the throat when doing activities such as swallowing. Another medical condition does not necessarily cause it. Your throat can be strained while shouting for long periods of time, or even irritated by alcohol, tobacco, spices, just to name but a few. Keep reading to find out more on what causes a sore throat and how to treat it in Redditch & Bishop Auckland.
Environmental factors like dry air and infections are responsible for most cases of a sore throat. However, you shouldn’t worry much about it since it normally disappears without the need for any medications. It’s best to find ways to ease the symptoms as you wait for the sore throat to subside.
Symptoms of a sore throat
A sore throat comes with a lot of symptoms that vary depending on what triggered it. You may witness a number of the following symptoms:
- Burning sensation
- Scratchy feeling
- Tenderness
- Dry throat
- Irritation
- Red colour on the throat and tonsils
- Formation of pus and white patches in more serious cases
- Appetite loss
- Headache
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Chills
- Coughing
- Body aches
- Hoarseness
- Swallowing difficulties
Swallowing and talking can worsen the symptoms.
What causes a sore throat in Redditch & Bishop Auckland?
Viruses lead to infections that come with a sore throat as a symptom. Bacteria are also known to cause a few cases.
Viral infections
Below are viral infections that come with a sore throat as a symptom:
- Flu (influenza)
- Common colds
- Mono (mononucleosis)
- Chickenpox
- COVID-19
- Measles
Learn more about flu vaccinations in our previous blog post here:
Bacterial infections
A few bacterial infections are known to cause a sore throat, with group A streptococcus (streptococcus pyogenes) being the most common.
Other causes of a sore throat
Other causes include:
- Allergies. Some allergic reactions are known to inflame and irritate the throat leading to a sore throat.
- Dryness. Dry air is another cause of a sore throat as it dries the throat making it scratchy and rough.
- Irritants. Irritants such as polluted air, chemicals, or tobacco can lead to a chronic sore throat. Alcohol and spicy foods can also cause irritation on the throat.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). This is a digestive system complication whereby acids go back up into the esophagus.
- Muscle strain. Throat muscle strains can happen due to yelling for a while without a break.
- HIV infection. A sore throat is among the flu-like symptoms that HIV-positive people experience.
- Tumors. Tumors on the tongue, larynx, as well as throat, can make the throat sore.
Knowing what causes a sore throat, how can I treat it in Redditch & Bishop Auckland?
It is possible to deal with a sore throat from the comfort of your home.
It would be best if you began by taking enough rest to enable the immune system to work better.
Below are a few steps you can take to minimise pain and discomfort:
- You can soothe your throat by drinking warm fluids like hot tea, soup, or warm water with salt. Herbal teas can also get the job done.
- Gargle a mixture of warm water and salt.
- Try cooling the throat with ice cream or any other cold treat
- Keep your voice rested for a while for the throat to heal
How will Knights Pharmacy Help?
You can contact us for more details on how to treat a sore throat. Some of the medical solutions we offer are Ibuprofen and paracetamol, and anaesthetic spray.
Minor Ailments Scheme
We provide appropriate treatment and advice as stated under the NHS Minor Ailments Scheme.
You find your nearest Knights Pharmacy branch to get treatment today!
This post was written on behalf of Knights Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor
