health

1. Definition
2. What Is a Sore Throat?
   
3. Are Sore Throats Common?
4. What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Viral Sore Throat?
5. What Are the Symptoms of Strep Throat?
6. How Do Doctors Diagnose the Cause of a Sore Throat?
7. How Is a Sore Throat Treated?
8. How Is Strep Throat Treated?
9. What Are the Complications of a Strep Throat?
10. Can Sore Throats Be Prevented?

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The pain and discomfort of a sore throat, also called pharyngitis (fair-un-JYtis),
are usually the result of inflammation due to infection or irritation.
Strep throat is caused by bacteria* in the Streptococcus (strep-to-KOK-us)
family. Its main symptoms are sore throat and fever. The medical term for
strep throat is streptococcal pharyngitis.

A sore throat can be a symptom of many infectious diseases. Viral infections
such as the common cold, influenza*, adenovirus* infection, and
infectious mononucleosis* cause most sore throats. Bacterial infections are
less common, but the sore throats they produce usually are more severe.
Group A beta hemolytic streptococci (he-muh-LIH-tik strep-tuh-KAHkye)
are the most common bacterial culprits, and they cause strep throat.
Rarely, fungal infections can cause a sore throat, usually in people with a
weakened immune system*. Non-infectious causes of sore throat include
allergies, postnasal drip (the dripping of mucus from the back of the nose
into the throat), and too much yelling or straining the voice. Smoking
and other irritants can also cause a sore throat.

Sore throats are very common, especially in children. It is not unusual for
children between the 5 and 10 years of age to develop several sore throat
infections over the course of a year. Most of these illnesses are common
viral respiratory infections. About 15 percent of all sore throats are caused
by group A streptococci.
All of the infections that cause sore throats are contagious. They can
spread through contact with drops of fluid from an infected person that
can be coughed or sneezed into the air. The drops can be inhaled or transferred
by the hand to the mouth or nose. The infections that cause sore
throats also can spread through direct contact with an infected person,
such as through kissing.

Sore throats are painful, sometimes swollen, and red. Many viral infections
that cause sore throats are associated with other symptoms, including
hoarseness, runny nose, cough, and diarrhea*.
Sore throat is a common symptom of infectious mononucleosis, a viral
infection caused by the Epstein-Barr (EP-steen BAR) virus. The tonsils*
become very swollen and may have white patches or an extensive coating.
Swallowing is difficult, and in a few cases, the tonsils enlarge enough to
cause difficulty breathing. Other signs and symptoms of mononucleosis
include swollen lymph nodes* in the neck, fever, extreme tiredness,
muscle aches, and an enlarged spleen.

People with strep throat feel generally weak and tired. The tonsils often
are enlarged, there may be white specks and pus* on them, or they may
be covered with a gray or white coating. Other symptoms of strep throat
include high fever; headache; enlarged and tender lymph nodes in the
neck; and abdominal* pain.

If a patient’s sore throat and other symptoms match those of a common
viral cold or respiratory infection, the doctor may base the diagnosis on
the physical symptoms alone. Nasal and throat swabs can be tested to
detect other causes of a sore throat, if necessary.
If the doctor suspects that a patient might have a strep throat infection,
the doctor uses a cotton swab to take a sample from the throat and
tonsils for a culture*. Often, the doctor will do a rapid strep test of the
bacteria from the throat swab in the office. This quick test can give the
doctor results in 10 to 15 minutes. A positive result indicates that strep
bacteria are present; a negative result means that the strep bacteria may or
may not be present and the more extensive culture should be done.
Infectious mononucleosis is diagnosed by examining blood samples
for antibodies* to the virus.

Treatment of a sore throat depends on the diagnosis. If it stems from a
common cold caused by a virus, treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms
until the illness disappears. Drinking plenty of fluids can help prevent
dehydration* and clear out mucus* in the back of the throat. Water, ginger
ale, warm tea with honey, and clear soups are good choices, but not
acidic juices (such as lemonade or orange juice), because they can irritate
the throat. Gargling with warm salt water can help soothe a sore throat,
and over-the-counter pain relievers and throat drops can help ease symptoms
as well. Antibiotics are not effective for treating viral infections such
as colds. Most viral sore throats go away on their own without complications,
and they generally clear up within a few days to a week.
The best treatment for infectious mononucleosis is rest. In addition,
over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen* can help relieve
pain and fever. Studies have shown that one type of antiviral medication
(valacyclovir) may be useful in reducing the severity of symptoms. Severe
cases of infectious mononucleosis may benefit from the administration of
corticosteroids* to reduce swelling and inflammation. Infectious mononucleosis
can take from one to two months to subside, and other symptoms
from the illness, such as tiredness, can remain for months after.

When strep throat has been diagnosed, a course of antibiotic* is usually
prescribed. A doctor may recommend a 10-day course of treatment or
alternatively a one-time antibiotic shot, which can be an advantage if a
patient experiences difficulty swallowing, nausea or vomiting. Regardless
of type, any antibiotic should be taken as directed to prevent complications.
Symptoms of strep throat usually improve within one to two days
of starting the antibiotic.

Strep throat can lead to scarlet fever*, rheumatic fever*, kidney* problems,
in cluding post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, or throat abscess es*.
Prompt treatment with antibiotics can prevent most of these complications.

Many respiratory infections both viral and bacterial are spread through
contact with respiratory fluids from infected people. People who have
respiratory infections and sneeze or cough in a classroom, on a playground,
or in another crowded environment, can spread the infection
to other people. Moisture droplets from their coughing or sneezing are
passed into the air. Others inhale these germs, and then they too become
infected.
Another way respiratory infections can be passed along is by hand-tohand
contact or by touching objects that an infected person has recently
handled. That is why doctors tell people to wash their hands regularly.
If someone has an infection or has been in close contact with someone
who does, it is wise not to share utensils, food, and drinking glasses with
that person.