Sore Throat

The pain and discomfort of a sore throat, also called pharyngitis (fairun-JY-tis), are usually the result of inflammation due to infection or irritation.

What Is a Sore Throat?

A sore throat can be a symptom of many infectious diseases. Viral infections such as the common cold, influenza ^* , adenovirus ^* infection, and infectious mononucleosis ^* cause most sore throats. Bacterial infections are less common, but the sore throats they produce usually are more severe. Group A beta hemolytic streptococci (he-muh-LIH-tik strep-tuh-KAH-kye) are the most common bacterial culprits, and they cause strep throat. Rarely, fungal infections can cause a sore throat, usually in people with weakened immune systems. Non-infectious causes of sore throat include allergies, postnasal drip (the dripping of mucus from the back of the nose into the throat), and too much yelling or straining the voice. Smoking and other irritants also can cause a sore throat.

Are Sore Throats Common?

Sore throats are very common, especially in children. It is not unusual for children between the ages of 5 and 10 to develop several sore throat infections over the course of a year. Most of these illnesses are common viral respiratory infections. About 15 percent of all sore throats are caused by group A streptococci.

All of the infections that cause sore throats are contagious. They can spread through contact with drops of fluid from an infected person that can be coughed or sneezed into the air. The drops can be inhaled or transferred by the hand to the mouth or nose. The infections that cause sore throats also can spread through direct contact with an infected person, such as through kissing.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms
of a Sore Throat?

Sore throats are painful, sometimes swollen, and red. Many viral infections that cause sore throats are associated with other symptoms, including hoarseness, runny nose, cough, and diarrhea (dye-uh-REE-uh).

Streptococcal infections frequently produce a bright red throat, trouble swallowing, and swollen, often tender lymph nodes ^* in the neck. The tonsils ^* often are enlarged, there may be white specks and pus ^* on them, or they may be covered with a gray or white coating. Other symptoms of strep throat include high fever, headache, and abdominal ^* pain.

Sore throat is a common symptom of infectious mononucleosis, a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr (EP-steen BAR) virus. The tonsils become very swollen and, as in strep throat, may have white patches or an extensive coating. Swallowing is difficult and, in a few cases, the tonsils enlarge enough to cause difficulty breathing. Other signs and symptoms of mononucleosis include swollen lymph nodes in the neck, fever, extreme tiredness, muscle aches, and an enlarged spleen.

How Do Doctors Diagnose the Cause of a
Sore Throat?

If the doctor suspects that a patient might have a strep throat infection, the doctor will use a cotton swab to take a sample from the throat and tonsils for a culture ^* . Often, the doctor will do a rapid strep test in the office, but this quick test is not as reliable as a culture.

Infectious mononucleosis is diagnosed by examining blood samples for antibodies ^* to the virus. Nasal and throat swabs can be tested to detect other causes of a sore throat, if necessary. If a patient's sore throat and other symptoms match those of a common viral cold or respiratory infection, the doctor may base the diagnosis on the physical symptoms alone.

How Is a Sore Throat Treated?

Treatment of a sore throat depends on the diagnosis. If it stems from a common cold caused by a virus, treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms until the illness disappears. Drinking plenty of fluids can help prevent dehydration ^* and clear out mucus ^* in the back of the throat. Water, ginger ale, warm tea with honey, and soups are good choices, but not acidic juices (such as lemonade or orange juice), because they can irritate the throat. Gargling with warm salt water can help soothe a sore throat, and over-the-counter pain relievers and throat drops can help ease symptoms as well. Antibiotics are not effective for treating viral infections such as colds. Most viral sore throats go away on their own without complications, and they generally clear up within a few days to a week.

When strep throat has been diagnosed, a 10-day course of antibiotics usually is prescribed; all of the antibiotics should be taken as directed to prevent complications. Strep throat can lead to rheumatic fever ^* , kidney ^* problems, or throat abscesses ^* , and prompt treatment with antibiotics can prevent some of these complications. Symptoms of strep throat usually improve within 1 to 2 days of starting antibiotics.

The best treatment for infectious mononucleosis is rest. In addition, over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (uh-see-teh-MIH-noh-fen) can help relieve pain and fever. Infectious mononucleosis can take from 1 to 2 months to subside, and other symptoms from the illness, such as tiredness, can remain for months after.

Can Sore Throats Be Prevented?

Many respiratory infections are spread through contact with respiratory fluids from infected people. The best prevention strategy is basic hygiene, which includes covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing and washing hands regularly. If someone has an infection or has been in close contact with someone who does, it is wise not to share utensils, food, and drinking glasses with that person.