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Pharyngitis ( sore throat ), sore throat, and sore throat when swallowing saliva is one of the most common illnesses that can occur in people of all ages and genders. It can be caused by many different causes.
If anyone has a sore throat and is not sure what to do, try reading this article to understand the symptoms more, how to take care of yourself, how are the symptoms similar or different from tonsillitis, how many days does it take for sore throat to heal, when should you see a doctor, so that you have an understanding and can manage the symptoms correctly.
Interesting facts about sore throat
- What are the causes of sore throat?
- Symptoms of sore throat
- Check for initial symptoms of sore throat
- What is the difference between pharyngitis and tonsillitis?
- Complications
- When should you see a doctor?
- Treatment
- Self-care during treatment
- How many days does it take for sore throat to go away?
Respiratory tract infections
Examples of respiratory infections include:
- Viruses such as the common cold such as rhinovirus and adenovirus, COVID-19, and influenza virus, etc.
- Bacteria such as Streptococcus
- Fungi, such as Candida
Non-infectious inflammation
Examples of inflammation that are not caused by infection include:
- Acid reflux disease
- Exposure to irritants such as dust, smoke, cigarette smoke, chemicals, and foreign objects in the throat
- Excessive use of voice
- Radiation-induced pharyngitis
- Receiving chemotherapy
- Allergy
Symptoms of sore throat
Symptoms vary depending on the cause. Patients may experience the following symptoms:
- Sore throat , burning or irritation in the throat
- Voice change
- feel dry
- Difficulty swallowing , sore throat when swallowing food/saliva
- There is pain radiating to the ear.
- In children, they may refuse to eat or drink.
- If an infection occurs , the tonsils may become swollen, enlarged, red, and have pus-filled spots.
- Other symptoms may occur, such as a rash or loose stools.
Check for initial symptoms of sore throat
If you have symptoms of pain, itching, irritation in your throat, difficulty swallowing, pain in swallowing, hoarseness, swollen and red tonsils, you may suspect that you have pharyngitis . You can see a doctor for diagnosis.
I have seen a case of a child patient who came in with a fever and sore throat. The parents thought it was just a common sore throat, so they bought medicine to take themselves. When the child had difficulty breathing, they took him to see a doctor.
In summary, the test results show that the patient has a croup, which requires hospitalization. In some patients, who also have symptoms of bacterial sore throat but do not take antibiotics, they end up with pneumonia.
Doctor’s treatment experience
– Dr. Warangkana Wiwalsirikul (MD)
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Croup is an inflammation of the area
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What is the difference between pharyngitis and tonsillitis?
Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the tissues in the throat at the back of the mouth, while tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils in the throat , and sometimes both conditions can occur together.
Complications
Sore throat can spread to other areas and cause other complications, such as:
- Ear infection
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- Abscesses occur in other areas
- Complications in children may cause fever, rash, and kidney inflammation.
- My throat hurts so much.
- Sore throat for more than a week
- Have a high fever
- Shortness of breath /difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing, unable to eat
- Swollen neck /swollen face
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Bloody cough, bloody sputum
- Children should be observed for symptoms. If they have a high fever, are lethargic, have rapid breathing, cannot eat or swallow, they should be taken to see a doctor immediately.
Treatment
Treatment for sore throat will be considered based on the cause. You can use medications to relieve symptoms such as painkillers, throat sprays, and lozenges. Generally, sore throats from viral infections will go away on their own within 4-5 days. However, if it is caused by bacteria, antibiotics must be used as well.
Self-care during treatment
While treating an illness, the following recommendations should be followed:
- Get enough rest and rest your voice.
- Avoid irritants such as dust and cigarette smoke.
- Take medication strictly as prescribed by your doctor. If it is an antibiotic, take it for the full course of the prescribed medication.
- Drink enough water to prevent dehydration and keep your throat moist.
- Avoid drinking caffeine and alcohol.
- Avoid very cold or hot weather.
Can I drink cold water if I have sore throat?
- For patients with sore throat, it is recommended to drink room temperature water. However, if the throat is very sore, you can drink cold water to help relieve the irritation.
What should I do if my throat hurts after swallowing?
- You should see a doctor to diagnose the cause of your sore throat when swallowing.
What should I do if my symptoms do not improve?
- If after taking basic self-care , your symptoms do not improve or get worse, see a doctor immediately.
How many days does it take for sore throat to go away?
The duration of symptoms often depends on the cause of the sore throat.
- Viral infections: Typically, a sore throat from a viral infection will improve and go away on its own within 4 to 5 days.
- Bacterial infection: If your sore throat is caused by bacteria, you should start to get better within 3 days of taking antibiotics.
Hot Line 
Warangkana Vivulsirikul ,M.D.
General Practitioner
Last modified: 07/10/2024
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