Eshealthtips.com – If you are experiencing sore throat symptoms, you may be wondering what causes them. Most people experience sore throat pain due to acid reflux, which is when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, the tube that carries food and air from the throat to the stomach. Some common causes of sore throat include yelling, screaming, or talking too much, drinking too much coffee or tea, and spicy or hot foods. Even a dry mouth or clogged sinuses can cause a sore throat.
Sore Throat Symptoms
A sore throat is a painful and scratchy area in the throat. Symptoms can worsen with swallowing. There are many common causes of sore throat, including the flu or a viral infection. While many of these causes are easily treated at home, some people will need medical attention in order to get rid of them permanently. There are a few things that you can do at home to relieve the discomfort and get back to normal as soon as possible.
During a physical exam, your doctor will look at the throat for signs of inflammation. They may use a light to look at your throat, listen to your breathing with a stethoscope, and feel for swelling in your neck. They may also perform a swab test to examine the back of your throat or inside your nose. Depending on your symptoms, the doctor may perform several tests to rule out a more serious condition.
Prescribing Antibiotics for Sore Throat
Although a sore throat is not a serious illness, it is important to avoid being around sick people. If your throat is sore and throbbing for more than a few days, call a doctor right away to make sure there is no other infection. Your doctor will likely perform a physical exam and check for signs of swelling and redness in your throat, and will also examine the sides of your neck for swollen glands.
Often, a doctor will prescribe an antibiotic for strep throat. These can come in liquid or pill form and are usually taken for 10 days. Children with strep throat should take their medications for the entire course, as bacteria that cause strep throat may still be alive when they are well. Children should be given pain relievers such as acetaminophen to help alleviate the discomfort caused by the sore throat. However, do not give children aspirin because it can cause Reye’s syndrome.
Most Common Causes of Sore Throat
There are many reasons for sore throat, and these include bacteria or viruses. The most common cause of bacterial sore throat is strep throat, which is caused by streptococci bacteria. While strep throat is more common in school-aged children, it can infect adults as well. If a person is exposed to a carrier of strep throat, they may not show any symptoms of the condition.
Occasionally, sore throat without fever can indicate an underlying health issue, like reflux, allergies, or post nasal drip. Other times, it can be from a more serious infection like an STI that requires medical treatment.
