Sore Throat

We have selected the following expert medical opinion based on its clarity, reliability and accuracy. Credits: Sourced from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please refer to your own medical practitioner for a final perspective, assessment or evaluation.

Overview

Most sore throats are caused by viruses, like ones that cause colds and flu’s, and do not need antibiotic treatment.

However, some sore throats are caused by bacteria, such as group A Streptococcus (group A strep). Sore throats caused by these bacteria are often referred to as “strep throat”.

• In children, 20 - 30 out of every 100 sore throats are strep throat.
• In adults, only 5 - 15 out of every 100 sore throats is strep throat.

Other common causes of sore throats include:

• Allergies
• Dry air
• Pollution (airborne chemicals or irritants)
• Smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke

Risk Factors

There are many things that can increase your risk for a sore throat, including:

• Age (children and teens between 5 and 15 years old are most likely to get a sore throat)
• Exposure to someone with a sore throat or strep throat
• Time of year (winter and early spring are common times for strep throats)
• Weather (cold air can irritate your throat)
• Irregularly shaped or large tonsils
• Pollution or smoke exposure
• A weak immune system or taking drugs that weaken the immune system
• Nasal allergies (called allergic rhinitis)
• Acid reflux disease (heartburn)

When you have a sore throat, your tonsils often hurt and are usually red and swollen.

Signs and Symptoms

A sore throat can make it painful to swallow. A sore throat can also feel dry and scratchy and may be a symptom of the common cold or other upper respiratory tract infection.

The following symptoms are often associated with sore throats caused by a VIRAL INFECTION or due to allergies:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Watery eyes
• Mild headache or body aches
• Runny nose
• Low grade fever

Symptoms more commonly associated with a BACTERIAL INFECTION such as strep throat include:

• Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
• Tiny red spots (petechiae) on the soft or hard palate (the roof of the mouth)
• High fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• Severe headache or body aches
• Rash

When to Seek Medical Care

See a healthcare professional if you or your child has any of the following:

• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Excessive drooling (young children)
• High fever
• Pus on the back of the throat
• Rash
• Joint pain
• Hoarseness lasting longer than 2 weeks
• Blood in saliva or phlegm
• Dehydration (symptoms include a dry, sticky mouth; sleepiness or tiredness; thirst; decreased urination or fewer wet diapers; few or no tears when crying; muscle weakness; headache; dizziness or light-headedness)

If your child is younger than three months of age and has a fever, it’s important to always consult your healthcare professional right away.

Recommended websites

For further reading go to:

• Why washing hands prevent the spread of disease – Show me the science
• Mind your manners – Coughing and sneezing spread disease

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