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Sore Throat
Sore throat is commonly understood as any of the inflammations of the tonsils, pharynx, or larynx characterized by pain in swallowing. Sore throat is a discomfort in the throat with pain or irritation in the throat. Swallowing and sometimes breathing becomes difficult.
Sore throat can be caused in 3 different ways. Bacteria, virus, some food allergies may cause sore throat. The three types are treated differently.
For sore throats caused by bacteria usually penicillin is given but in cases of a penicillin reaction a common antibiotic called erythromycin provides great relief.
For sore throats caused by viruses like any other common cold or flu where the symptoms are more or less common the viruses die a natural death in the course of their time. Symptoms last for around 10 days and not more. Plenty of rest is advised along with pain relievers like Ibuprofen for the accompanying symptoms of headache etc. The pain in sore throat may extend to the ears, the head and the jaws.
For sore throat caused by allergic food items, take medicines to cope with the allergies or take medical advice as to what you are allergic to and avoid those items.
Preventing and easing of sore throats:- Wash hands regularly, cover mouth or nose if you need to sneeze or cough and also if the other person is sneezing or coughing.
- Take pain relievers like Ibuprofen, or any over the counter drugs for pain relief. These can also work for the accompanying symptoms.
- Warm salt water gargling will help a lot. Use ½ to 1 spoon of salt for 1 glass of water.
- Suck on lozenges or hard candy. Hard candy can help to relieve sore throat by increasing saliva secretion that soothes dry throat. But, this is not advisable for children for the simple reason of choking on it.
- Avoid extreme temperatures in the room where you need to spend a lot of your time. If possible use a humidifier along with your room heater.
- Drink lots of warm fluids and honey and lemon tea is as tested and tried cure as grand ma’s old clock.
- Cold liquids and Popsicles might some time workout for sore throat only if you are not suffering from tonsillitis.
- Avoid contact with person who are themselves are having sore throat.
- Breathing through the mouth while sleeping (the throat becomes dry and gives rise to irritation).
- Common cold, which usually accompanies sore throat.
- Viral Pharyngitis
- An attack of influenza
- Food substances stuck in the throat can cause irritation and allergy.
- Other infections.
- ü When there is severe breathing or swallowing problems.
- Too much drooling in a young child
- Tender or sore lymph glands in the neck
- Pus in the back of the throat
- Redness in the inside walls of the throat
Usually the treatment is started only after the culture results are known to assess the cause of the problem. In case of a family history of Rheumatic fever the treatment for sore throat is immediately started. Antibiotics are advisable only under the care and guidance of a physician.