Sore throat

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Causes and risk factors for sore throat

Sore throat is often accompanied by diseases that develop against the background of weakened immunity. Causes of weakened immunity can include excessive fatigue, malnutrition, hypovitaminosis, hormonal therapy, tumor chemotherapy, some chronic diseases (diabetes), and HIV.

If the sore throat is severe and pain occurs when swallowing, you may be developing a cold or ARVI. These common pathologies are often accompanied by the development of an acute inflammatory process in the mucous membranes of the throat. The following are common symptoms for colds:

• Rise in body temperature to 38,5 ° C (usually 2-3 days after the onset of discomfort in the nasopharynx);

• Tears;

• Nasal congestion and discharge from the nose (thrush);

• Cough;

• Moderate headache;

• Muscle pain (not always).

Specific symptoms for ARVI (as well as influenza):

• General weakness;

• General weakness;

• Squeezing in the bones;

• Muscle pain;

• Increased body temperature above 38,5 ° C (from the first day of illness).

Often sore throat is associated with the presence of foci of chronic infections, especially in the sinuses (inflammatory diseases of the sinuses, sinusitis). Pathogenic microorganisms from the source of infection enter the throat and cause inflammation. Sore throat can also be caused by seasonal or year-round allergic reactions. The risk factor in such cases is the entry of allergens into the respiratory tract (dust, house dust, etc.).

Smokers often suffer from sore throats. Ingestion of tobacco combustion products (including passive smoking) affects the mucous membrane.

A serious risk factor also includes occupational risk. The disease can also develop as a result of constant ingestion of air contaminated with small mechanical particles and toxic chemical compounds. The throat can also be damaged by infectious mononucleosis. In such a viral etiology, skin rash, splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen), enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck and armpits are observed.

One of the possible causes of sore throat is atrophy of the mucous membrane of the larynx against the background of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.

Differential diagnosis

If you have a sore throat and ringing in the ears, the onset of symptoms may be associated with the following diseases:

• Otitis. Inflammation of the middle ear is accompanied by fever, general weakness, and decreased appetite. The pain is exacerbated in the evening.

• Acute pharyngitis. Inflammation of the larynx is accompanied by a feeling of the presence of a foreign body in the throat, "scratching" of the throat and a dry cough. Pharyngitis is often accompanied by ORVI.

• Angina (Tonsillitis). This pathology is characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat and tonsils. Angina is characterized by high fever, muscle pain, nausea, and often an unpleasant odor from the mouth as a result of the purulent process.

• Diphtheria. The disease is characterized by redness of the tonsils, the formation of a peculiar membrane in them, general intoxication of the body and lymphadenitis. If a child complains of a sore throat and and his lymph nodes are enlarged, a doctor should be called immediately. Diphtheria is a life-threatening disease.

• Other infectious diseases - Diseases specific to children. These include scarlet fever, chickenpox and measles.

Important: If the throat is severely sore and hoarseness is observed, it may be due to the fact that the inflammatory process due to pharyngitis, laryngitis and angina has affected the vocal apparatus. However, hoarseness can occur as a result of tension in the vocal cords (screaming or singing loudly); usually no deterioration in general health is observed in such a case.

If you have a sore throat on one side of the throat, the reasons may be:

• Injury to the mucous membrane or the presence of a foreign body (e.g., fish scab);

• Acute pharyngitis (pain in the early stages of the disease is noted only on the right or left side);

• Retropharyngeal abscess (limited purulent inflammation);

• Inflammation of the tonsils (acute tonsillitis);

• Glossopharyngeal nerve neuralgia;

• Pathology of teeth and periodontal tissues associated with the source of infection and inflammation;

• Hilger syndrome (enlargement of the peripheral branches of the external carotid artery).

Unilateral sore throat in children may be due to the process of tooth extraction. In adults, this sign may be noted against the background of difficult eruption of ‘wisdom teeth’ (i.e., third molars).

If you have a sore throat and no fever, you are likely to have the following pathologies:

• Injury of the mucous membrane (swallowing a hard or sharp-edged object);

• Tension of the vocal cords, as well as the muscles of the larynx and larynx;

• Glossopharyngeal nerve neuralgia;

• Gastroesophageal reflux, i.e., the release of stomach acid into the esophagus;

• Tumor development (oncology);

• Thyroid pathology;

• Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome (adrenal gland hyperfunction);

• Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;

• Varicose veins of the esophagus.

Sore throat can be one of the symptoms of a developing myocardial infarction or angina pectoris!

Treatment of sore throat

Sore throats can often be treated at home. You should consult a doctor before starting treatment. First, visit the district therapist. Additional consultation with an otolaryngologist, dentist, or other specialist may be required.

If inflammation of the throat develops against the background of colds or flu, it is recommended to use chamomile, sage tinctures, soda, common salt or sea salt, hydrogen peroxide (1 teaspoon 1% solution in 3 glass of water) to rinse the throat . Garlic tincture (200 heads of garlic in 3ml of boiling water) also has a good therapeutic effect.

An ambulance should be called if the sore throat is severe, if swallowing is not possible, or if shortness of breath is observed.

What to do if you have a sore throat during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, serious changes occur in the body, which can lead to a decrease in overall immunity. Therefore, the mother is at high risk for streptococcal or staphylococcal infection, which often causes sore throat.

Infectious agents can adversely affect the health of the fetus, so treatment should begin immediately. A doctor should also be consulted when any sore throat is observed, as the causes of this sore throat can be much more serious than a common cold. It is possible to use drugs that are not only effective in the treatment process, but also safe for the fetus. The following therapeutic methods are recommended for sore throat during pregnancy:

• Rinse throat with baking soda or salt solution (500 tablespoon per 1 ml of water at room temperature);

• Inhalation (inhalation) with a tincture of soda or chamomile - 5–6 times a day until the disappearance of acute symptoms;

• Consume products that store more vitamin C to boost overall immunity.

• Drinking more fluids is even better if it’s a vitamin drink or honey tea.

What to do if a child has a sore throat?

If the baby has a sore throat, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician. In the presence of this symptom, it is very important to rule out dangerous viral diseases such as diphtheria and mumps. If the child’s throat lymph nodes are not enlarged and the redness in the throat is not severe, the disease is likely to be viral in nature (ARVI).

The main task in the treatment of viral infections is to stop the activity of the pathogen. Antiviral drugs are indicated. It is recommended to inhale and gargle with medicinal herbs to prevent disease and stop inflammation. Antibiotics are completely ineffective in viral diseases; they can only be prescribed when there are diagnosed secondary bacterial diseases. If the child is still small and cannot shake on his own, an antiseptic aerosol can be applied.

Medications appropriate to the child's age and condition can only be prescribed by a qualified physician. A bed rest is recommended for a sick child - at least in the first days after the onset of the disease. Transferring the disease to the "legs" is very dangerous for children, because the risk of developing complications is high.

Make sure the sick child drinks as much fluid as possible - this will help cleanse the child’s body of toxins and prevent dehydration. It is not recommended to give children sour juices as they will further affect the affected mucous layer in the throat.

In inflammation of the throat, children often refuse to eat because the pain is exacerbated when swallowing. In this case, do not force the child to eat - it is better to give foods that do not affect the throat, for example, porridge, crushed soups, yogurt. It is recommended to eat the food in small portions - rarely more often.