Most common questions used to investigate
Do you know the symptoms of a sore throat?
Do you know if the cause of a sore throat is a virus or bacteria?
Do you have other related symptoms?
Are you allergic to specific substances such as pollen?
Do you live in a hot and dry place?
Do you smoke?
Common conclusions
The symptoms of a sore throat can vary greatly, but you will experience scratchiness, irritation, soreness, dryness, a burning sensation, a raw feel, or tender and swollen feel. If you feel one of the above symptoms and have difficulty while talking or swallowing, you could have a sore throat. Sometimes, the entire throat area and even the tonsils may look red, especially if there's deep infection.
Sore throat can be caused by both viruses and bacteria. Though only a medical practitioner and possibly a test, if the infection is severe, can determine the exact cause, in general, you'll see white patches or pus form on the tonsils. If you notice this white area, you can conclude that it is a strep throat infection caused by bacteria. In all other cases, it is a viral infection. Your treatment will depend on the cause as bacterial infections may require antibiotics while virus infections can cure by itself with some good home care.
Some of the symptoms related to a sore throat are nasal congestion, a runny nose, cough, fever, chills, sneezing, body aches, hoarse voice, loss of appetite, and headache. Though you may not experience all of these symptoms, even a few in this list can help you know that it is a sore throat and you can take over-the-counter medications based on this conclusion.
If you have a sore throat, the cause can always be an allergen. This is more likely during spring when the pollen rate will be the highest. Grass and pet dander are some of the other possible causes and these can be year-round. If you think, these are the reasons, you can get over-the-counter anti-allergic tablets to remove these allergens from your body.
Hot and dry environments can suck the air out of your mouth, thereby making your throat feel dry and scratchy. When this persists, it can lead to bruises and infections. In such situations, make sure to drink lots of water and other fluids to keep your throat and body hydrated.
Smoking is one of the biggest reasons for a sore throat and possibly even more serious conditions like throat cancer. If you smoke often and feel a lump in the throat area, it's time to get it checked with your doctor right away. Along with, quit smoking as it can further irritate your throat.
The sore throat could be due to chemicals present in the air, allergens, virus, or bacteria and in such a case, take complete rest and avoid talking too much. Gargle with some salt and warm water to remove the infection, suck on candy, have ice-creams, and turn on a mist humidifier to treat it.
References
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