Sore Throat – Definition
Sore throat is defined as scratchiness, pain and/or discomfort in the throat. This kind of problem makes it difficult for a person to swallow.
Everyday there are millions of people around the world getting sore throat. This condition is often at its worst in the morning when one wakes up and gradually subsides in discomfort as the day progresses.
A sore throat like a cold is often produced by viral infections and no antibiotics yet have been developed to effectively treat this condition. A lot of people see the development of a sore throat as the start of a cold. When the sinuses or nose is infected, mucosal fluids can go down the back of the throat where it eventually irritates the throat. Sore throat can also come about the due to infection of the throat itself.
Sore throats can have specific types. One type of virus called the Coxsackie virus can result in very painful throat blisters during the summer or fall season. The flu and mononucleosis can result in certain types of viral throat infections.
The most common cause of a sore throat is done by the streptococcus bacteria and this type of sore throat can sometimes result in a rheumatic fever. For this type of sore throat antibiotics can be effective. When a strep throat develops the sufferer experiences tender or swollen lymph nodes in the neck, draining patches in the throat and a high fever. Children with strep throat can experience stomach pain and headache. A strep throat can only be diagnosed from lab test results.
A patient with a typical cold will exhibit symptoms like cough, stuffy ears and a runny nose. A sore throat can develop when the person constantly breathes through his mouth. The climate that provides the highest risk for the development of sore throat is during winter when the air is dry. A lot of people wake up in the morning with sore throat that can easily disappear when they have something to drink.
Certain allergies like allergic rhinitis can bring about sore throat as well. When sore throat occurs, the surrounding areas of the throat as well as the tonsils are inflamed. Removing the tonsil is not a permanent way to prevent sore throat and is not advised for children.
Here are the different kinds of sore throat
Quinsy
Tonsillitis
Strep throat
Laryngitis
Pharyngitis