What Causes A Sore Throat
The medical term for a sore throat is pharyngitis. Pharyngitis can be caused by germs like viruses and bacteria. Viruses like the ones that cause the common cold are the most common cause of sore throat.
Some of these viruses include:
-
Throat injury
-
Vocal strain from singing or yelling too much
Antibiotics wont help with most of these causes. In fact, they only help when sore throats are caused by bacteria. Taking antibiotics for a sore throat that isnt caused by bacteria wont help you feel better. Taking unnecessary antibiotics also puts you at risk for side effects related to antibiotics and contributes to antibiotic resistance.
Several bacteria cause pharyngitis. But group A streptococcus is the most common, and its the most significant bacterial cause of sore throat. A sore throat from group A streptococcus is commonly called strep throat. People who have strep throat need to take antibiotics to prevent complications from group A strep infection. Strep throat is usually treated with the antibiotic amoxicillin.
What Are The Treatments For Strep Throat
Strep throat, caused by bacteria, is one type of sore throat that can be treated. It isn’t handled in the same way as sore throats caused by colds and other viruses, so your doctor will likely do whatâs called a ârapid strep testâ to be sure it’s strep
If the test is positive , theyâll probably recommend:
- Antibiotics to kill the bacteria thatâs causing it
- Rest to help you get better faster
- Over-the-counter medicines and home remedies to ease symptoms
Medication That Can Suppress The Immune System
Carbimazole is a medicine that is used to treat an overactive thyroid gland. If you are taking carbimazole and develop a sore throat then you should have an urgent blood test. This is because a sore throat may be the first warning of a serious side-effect to carbimazole . This serious side-effect needs urgent treatment. Other medication, such as chemotherapy for cancer, or certain tablets called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs , can also affect the way your immune system copes with infection. If you are taking one of these types of medication and develop a sore throat, see your doctor urgently. They will arrange an immediate blood test.
The ‘take home’ message is … see a doctor if symptoms of a sore throat are severe, unusual, or do not ease within one week. In particular, seek urgent medical attention if you develop:
- Difficulty in breathing.
- A persistent high temperature .
- A severe illness, especially when symptoms are mainly on one side of the throat.
Don’t Miss: Boric Acid For Urinary Tract Infection
Are Antibiotics Always Necessary To Treat A Strep Throat
Although most Strep throats will get better by themselves, there is a risk of acute rheumatic fever and other complications occurring. The CDC recommends that all patients, regardless of age, who have a positive rapid antigen detection test or throat culture receive antibiotics.
Antibiotics have been shown to:
- Shorten the duration of Strep throat symptoms
- Reduce the likelihood of transmission to family members, friends, and other close contacts
- Prevent the development of rheumatic fever and other complications.
Viral sore throats should not be treated with antibiotics. Treatment is usually given for ten days and liquid antibiotics can be given to children who are unable to swallow tablets or capsules. Some patients may benefit from a single shot of penicillin intramuscularly.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Strep Throat
Generally, Strep sore throats tend to be very painful and symptoms persist for a lot longer than sore throats due to another cause. Swallowing may be particularly difficult and painful. Symptoms of a Strep throat may include:
- Sudden onset of sore throat
- Very red and swollen-looking tonsils and back of the throat
- Sometimes streaks of pus or red spots may appear on the roof of the mouth
- A headache
- Swollen and tender glands in the neck.
Children are more likely to feel sick and vomit.
People with a Strep throat do NOT typically have a cough, runny nose, hoarseness, mouth ulcers, or conjunctivitis. If these symptoms occur there is more likely to be a viral cause for the sore throat.
Some people are susceptible to the toxins produced by the S. pyrogenes bacteria and develop a bright red rash that feels like sandpaper to the touch. A rash caused by S. pyrogenes bacteria is known as Scarlet Fever . Although it usually follows a sore throat, it may also occur after school sores .
Don’t Miss: What Antibiotics Are Good For Skin Infections
What Is Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic fever can develop following a Strep throat infection or scarlet fever. Although rare in the contiguous U.S., the disease is still prevalent in children of Samoan descent living in Hawaii and residents of American Samoa.
Symptoms of rheumatic fever usually show 14 to 28 days after a Strep infection. Because the bacteria trick the body’s immune system into attacking healthy tissues, the disease can affect the heart, joints, skin, and brain.
Symptoms of rheumatic fever include:
- Fever
The Test Cultures Come Back Positive
The only way to definitely tell you to need antibiotics is to get a test culture. This is something your doctor will be able to carry out, with the majority of them happening while you wait. Without the test culture, your doctor is making an educated decision on whether the infection is likely viral, bacterial or infection.
If you want to make sure you have been treated for the right infection, ask for a culture test. Depending on where the infection is, this can be tricky. For example, a bacterial ear infection will usually mean perforating the eardrum to get some of the fluid, so it avoided unless absolutely necessary.
The most common tests are carried out when theres the consideration that the illness is in the throat or chest. Its much easier to collect the fluid, whether through the salvia in the mouth or through the phlegm that you bring up. If you have a stay in the hospital, other fluids are collected for testing to make sure you get the right treatment.
Cultures dont just help to test for bacterial infections, but will also tell the doctors the type of bacterial infection you have. These tests can also help doctors determine the best type of treatment for your wounds.
Also Check: How To Clear A Bladder Infection At Home
How To Prevent Bacterial Infection In The Throat
The throat is a common site for bacterial infections, particularly in children. The tonsils are normally infected with bacteria and the adenoids are covered by a layer of mucus containing many different types of germs.
Symptoms of bacterial infection include sore throat, earache, headache, cough, and fever.
The throat is a very sensitive part of the body. In fact, its one of the first places that bacteria usually get into if your immune system is compromised in any way.
In addition to being vulnerable to bacterial infection, your throat can also experience pain from other sources.
How To Treat A Sore Throat Yourself
To help soothe a sore throat and shorten how long it lasts, you can:
- gargle with warm, salty water
- drink plenty of water
- eat cool or soft foods
- avoid smoking or smoky places
- suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets but do not give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking
- rest
Don’t Miss: What Antibiotic Is Good For Tooth Infection
Anatomy Of The Pharynx
Anatomy includes the esophagus, trachea, windpipe, vocal cord, larynx, tonsils and epiglottis. In your throat, the pharynx is a tubular structure that carries food from the esophagus into the air, and your windpipe is called the larynx. Pharyngitis, also known as pharyngitis, is a bacterial or viral infection that leads to inflammation of the pharyngeal tissue, causing redness, pain and swelling of the walls and structures of the pharynx.
Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the mucosa lining the back of the throat . The causes of pharygitis include viral infections such as the common cold and bacterial infections such as streptococci. Epstein-Barr virus causes mononucleosis , a highly contagious viral infection that can cause a range of flu-like symptoms.
Pharyngitis is described as a sore throat, which is an inflammation and irritation of the posterior pharynx. The majority of cases are due to non-infectious causes, but bacteria are responsible for a significant proportion of throat infections, and they occur with different complications and require different treatments.
Bacterial And Viral Sore Throats
A sore throat is something were all familiar with, but its not easy to tell if its because of a virus or bacteria. And this can confuse you when youre trying to treat it.
A bacterial sore throat is called strep throat, caused by the streptococcus bacteria. It is contagious, spreading either through the air via droplets like when someone coughs or on surfaces that someone with the infection has touched.
On the other hand, a viral sore throat is caused by inflammation resulting from a virus, such as the common cold. It has entirely different symptoms and progression than a bacterial sore throat. It is still contagious, but it doesnt respond to antibiotics the way a bacterial infection does.
Almost everyone will experience a sore throat at some point, but certain lifestyle factors may increase your risk. Some of these are:
- Exposure to airborne irritants, especially air pollution or cigarette smoke
- Not washing your hands frequently or thoroughly enough
- Being in close contact with people who have colds or other upper respiratory infections
Its important to have your sore throat symptoms reviewed by a doctor because an untreated infection can be dangerous. Many complications could arise, such as:
- Abscesses near the tonsils
- Rheumatic fever
You May Like: Yeast Infection Uncircumcised Male Treatment
Most Sore Throats Are Caused By Viral Infections Like Colds Or The Flu In These Cases Antibiotics Dont Work And Can Actually Make You Sick Longer
Taking antibiotics for a viral infection wont cure your sore throat, keep others from catching it, or help you feel better. In these cases, antibiotics can actually do more harm than good.
Whether or not antibiotics will help your sore throat depends on what kind of sore throat you have.
Cold and flu: Most commonly a sore throat is one of the first signs of a cold, the flu, or other viral illness. If your child develops other symptoms like a cough, hoarseness, red eyes, and runny nose, it is probably just a viral infection. Antibiotics dont help with viral infections and can actually make it harder for your body to heal. Only time, rest, and your bodys natural defenses can cure a viral infection. Learn more about simple ways to relieve symptoms at home.
Strep Pharyngitis: About 20% of persistent sore throats are caused by the bacteria Group A Strep. Since this is a bacterial infection, antibiotics can help and you will want to seek treatment. Call your doctor if your childs sore throat lasts longer than five days and continues to get worse or the fever lasts longer than three days. Symptoms of strep throat also include fever, rash, headache, sore glands, red and white patches in the throat, swollen tonsils, abdominal pain, nausea, and loss of appetite. Learn more about strep throat.
When should you call your doctor about a sore throat?
For more information about antibiotics:
Why Are Antibiotics Important
When bacteria multiples, it can cause infection. Antibiotics are strong types of medications that will kill the bacteria, but an overuse has led to the bacteria developing and becoming resistant to the medications. The infections are harder to cure, so you should only take antibiotics when you really need to.
Theres no point taking the medication for a viral infection. If your doctor says that its likely viral, then youll need to allow your body to fight the infection yourself.
Of course, there are times that antibiotics are definitely necessary. Your doctor will make an assessment based on your symptoms and signs. Before you book a doctors appointment and push for the medication, look out for these seven signs that antibiotics are definitely necessary.
Don’t Miss: Sinus Infection And Bad Breath
What Else Do You Need To Make Your Decision
Check the facts
- You’re right. Most of the time, sore throats go away on their own. It may take a few days or up to a week, depending on the cause.
- Sorry, that’s not right. Most of the time, sore throats go away on their own. It may take a few days or up to a week, depending on the cause.
- It may help to go back and read “Get the Facts.” Most of the time, sore throats go away on their own. It may take a few days or up to a week, depending on the cause.
- You’re right. Taking antibiotics too often or when you don’t need them can be harmful and costly. The medicine may not work the next time you take it when you really do need it.
- Sorry, that’s not right. Taking antibiotics too often or when you don’t need them can be harmful and costly. The medicine may not work the next time you take it when you really do need it.
- It may help to go back and read “Get the Facts.” Taking antibiotics too often or when you don’t need them can be harmful and costly. The medicine may not work the next time you take it when you really do need it.
- Sorry, that’s not right. Most sore throats are caused by a virus, such as a cold. Antibiotics won’t work for sore throats caused by a virus.
- You’re right. Most sore throats are caused by a virus, such as a cold. Antibiotics won’t work for sore throats caused by a virus.
- It may help to go back and read “Get the Facts.” Most sore throats are caused by a virus, such as a cold. Antibiotics won’t work for sore throats caused by a virus.
How Is A Bacterial Infection Treated
A bacterial infection is a common illness. This article will tell you how its treated.
A bacterial infection is an illness caused by certain types of bacteria that get into your body and multiply quickly. There are over 100 different types of bacteria that can cause infections in humans, but some are more common than others. The most common type of bacterial infection is pneumonia, which affects nearly 2 million Americans each year and causes 18% of all deaths from infectious diseases in the United States alone. Pneumonia can be life-threatening if left untreated, so always seek medical attention if you suspect you have contracted this
The treatment of bacterial infections depends on the type of infection. Bacteria can be classified into four groups based on their ability to stick to surfaces and each other, causing them to form colonies.
Group I consists of nonspore-forming bacteria that do not stick well to surfaces or each other. These are usually treated with antibiotics such as penicillin.
Group II consists of spore-forming bacteria that form thick-walled spores when exposed to adverse conditions. The spores germinate in the normal environment, enabling them to resume growth at a later time.
Don’t Miss: Yeast Infection Test Strips Walgreens
What Is Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever is the name given to a bright red rash that develops following a Strep throat, although it can also develop following school sores .
Scarlet fever is less common than it was one hundred years ago because of antibiotic use and it only occurs in those who are susceptible to the toxins produced by the Streptococcal bacteria. It mostly occurs in children aged 4 to 8 years. By 10 years old more than 80% of children have developed lifelong protective antibodies against streptococcal toxins, whilst infants younger than 2 still have antibodies against the toxin that they acquired from their mother. This means that if two children in one family develop Strep throat, only one may develop scarlet fever.
Scarlet fever is a bright red rash that feels like sandpaper to the touch. The rash typically starts on the neck, underarm, or groin as small, flat red blotches that gradually become fine bumps and feel rough to the touch. In the body folds the rash may appear a brighter red . Facial flushing is common although a pale area may remain around the mouth. After seven days, the rash fades and some skin peeling may occur over the next month or longer, particularly around the fingertips, toes, and groin area.
Left untreated, Scarlet fever may progress to:
- Ear, sinus, and skin infections
- Joint inflammation
- Rheumatic fever
- Otitis media
- Glomerulonephritis
- Osteomyelitis.
Side Effects Of Antibiotics
Antibiotics can have side effects too, though: Other studies have found that about 10 out of 100 adults experience side effects while taking, or after taking, . The most common include diarrhea and rashes. What’s more, using antibiotics too much and even when treating less serious medical conditions can cause to become resistant. This means that the bacteria are no longer killed by the antibiotics. As a result, a lot of serious medical conditions can no longer be treated as successfully as before.
Don’t Miss: Get Rid Of Male Yeast Infection
What Are Some Home Remedies For Sore Throat
If you dont have fever or any other concerning symptoms, you can try treating your sore throat at home. If your sore throat is from a virus, these remedies may help you feel better. Unfortunately, none of them will cure your sore throat or make it go away faster. Only time can do that. But while youre waiting, it helps to be as comfortable as possible.
If you have strep throat, these things can also help relieve your sore throat until the antibiotics start to kick in. People with strep throat usually start to feel better 24 to 48 hours after starting antibiotics.