A sore throat is one of the most common health complaints; sometimes it's minor, but at other times it can reveal something serious. According to Dr Julina Ongkasuwan, assistant professor of otolaryngology at Baylor College of Medicine, it's not just viral infections that can make a throat itchy, irritated, or painful.
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Viral infections are the usual suspects
"The most common reason for someone to develop a sore throat would be a virus, often accompanied by a runny nose, cough, or general malaise," said Ongkasuwan. Most of the time, symptoms are relieved with rest, hydration, and simple home remedies such as warm tea or hot water with honey.
When could it be strep?
As per the report by Baylor College of Medicine, if there is a severe sore throat, it may be strep throat, a bacterial infection. Common symptoms are high fever or pus on the tonsils. Because some viral infections can also produce fever, Ongkasuwan recommends going to the doctor for a throat swab to make a diagnosis. She says not to take antibiotics unless a strep test is positive.
Recurrent infections and tonsil removal
Repeated strep infections may make tonsillectomy a consideration. The Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery states that tonsil removal can be considered if someone experiences seven episodes in one year, five per year for two consecutive years or three per year for three consecutive years.
Besides viruses and bacteria, other possible causes of throat pain also include acid reflux, tonsil stones, muscle tension, and mononucleosis. Acid reflux can bring on heartburn that further irritates the throat, while inflammation and discomfort might be caused by small pieces of food stuck inside the tonsils, otherwise known as tonsil stones.
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When to seek medical help?
According to the report by Baylor College of Medicine, lingering throat pain that persists for more than three weeks, particularly when accompanied by difficulty swallowing or unexplained weight loss, needs a trip to the doctor. "Severe or prolonged throat pain may indicate a more serious problem," Ongkasuwan said.
In the meantime, simple remedies like non-caffeinated warm tea or honey water can soothe and at least keep you comfortable while your body heals.
