Everyone has probably experienced a sore throat (i. e. pharyngitis) at one time. After all, sore throats account for about 10 per cent of doctor visits.
Sore throats are characterized by redness, swelling and irritation as well as pain which makes swallowing difficult. Often, sore throats are caused by bacterial or viral infections, but they can also result from cold, dry weather, or from air pollution or smoking or even from overusing your voice.
The majority of sore throats occur along with a cold or the flu, both of which are viral infections. These sore throats last for about three to five days, with a gradual improvement of symptoms. Treatment is aimed at reducing the discomfort and includes rest, increased fluid intake, increasing humidity in your home, salt-water gargles (one teaspoonful of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water), drinking warm beverages or soups, and sipping honey and lemon mixed in warm water.
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Avoiding additional irritation from smoking, fumes, air pollution, and other irritants is also important.
Because sore throats are a pain in the throat, you can use a pain reliever such as acetaminophen as long as you remember to follow the label instructions for dosing. However, acetylsalicylic acid or ASA should be avoided, especially for children including teens because of its link to the rare but fatal Reye’s syndrome.
Throat lozenges are marketed for sore throats, but they may only provide extra moisture to your irritated throat. Antibiotic ingredients make no sense because most sore throats are caused by viruses, not bacteria, and antiseptic ingredients only reduce the number of microorganisms for the time that they are in contact with the throat tissues.
Anesthetics in throat lozenges reduce pain by “freezing” the area, but only work when they are in contact with the affected zone. Other ingredients such as vitamin C and zinc are supposed to reduce the duration of sore throats, but no scientific evidence supports this.
In general throat lozenges are not harmful, but sipping a warm beverage or sucking on a hard candy may be more economical for moisturizing your sore throat.
When a sore throat persists, have it checked. A postnasal drip or sinus infection can cause a chronic sore throat, and treating the underlying condition will help clear the sore throat. In older teens and adults a sore throat that does not seem to improve may be a sign of mononucleosis, which can be diagnosed with a blood test, while scarlet fever is characterized by a sore throat and skin rash. Sore throats can also be a complicating symptom of other mouth infections such as yeast infections, canker sores and cold sores.
“Strep” throats are bacterial infections caused by Streptococcus pyogens and more often affect younger children. The pain is severe, even described as swallowing razors. A throat swab is used to confirm the infection, and oral antibiotics are given to treat it. Because “strep” throat can result in rheumatic fever, it is treated aggressively.
Sore throats peak during winter months because more people are indoors and in contact with others, which makes it easier for infections to spread. Thus, it’s important that you avoid spreading or catching infections that could result in sore throats. Cover coughs and sneezes, don’t share tissues or other potentially contaminated objects, and regular and thoroughly wash your hands.
And, when laryngitis or inflammation of the larynx with loss of your voice occurs, resting your voice is a great idea.
Smoking will certainly increase your sore throat symptoms and you may even have more sore throats. In your home, second-hand smoke will increase your family’s risk for sore throats. Isn’t it time you quit?
Marie Berry is a lawyer/pharmacist interested in health care and education.
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You may have noticed an increase in the number of news stories regarding the benefits of vitamin D and how Canadians may actually be lacking sufficient levels of it. Next month, we will look at some of these reports and try to sort out what are the current recommendations regarding this vitamin.
