A sore throat can be brought on by bacterial illnesses like group A streptococcus and viral diseases like the common cold. Though widespread, sore throat is rarely a reason for alarm. Within a week or so, viral sore throat usually goes away on its own. Nonetheless, being aware of the cause can assist patients in limiting their alternatives for treatment.
What causes the disease?
Viral infections happen to be the most frequent cause of pharyngitis (คออักเสบเป็นหนอง, this is the term in Thai) or sore throat. The following common viruses are usually the reason for the disease:
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- The common cold can be caused by rhinovirus, coronavirus, or parainfluenza.
- Adenovirus, which can cause conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is a common viral infection causing sore throat.
- Mononucleosis can cause a variety of symptoms that are similar to flu. Because the virus spreads by saliva, it can be acquired through kissing, coughing, sneezing, and sharing cutlery and utensils. Adolescents and young adults are usually affected by Mononucleosis or the kissing illness. Even children can fall ill due to this virus.
It can also result from bacterial infections; however, this is less often. About 20 to 40 percent of the time, children get sore throats due to the Group A Streptococcus bacteria. The term strep throat is frequently used to describe a sore throat brought on by a group A Streptococcus infection.
Transmission
The throat and nose are home to viruses when you are suffering from a sore throat. Tiny droplets containing the virus or bacteria are released into the air when a person with the illness coughs or sneezes. An individual can contract the infection by:
- Inhaling these microscopic droplets.
- Coming into contact with contaminated things, then touching their face, and ingesting tainted food and drink.
For this reason, washing one’s hands before handling food or touching one’s face is crucial. Viral infections, like the common cold, often heal in 7–10 days. However, people may be contagious before any symptoms show up because of the viral incubation period.
Signs and symptoms
A dry, itchy, or irritated throat is the primary sign of a sore throat. Depending on the type of infection, other symptoms, like those of the flu or cold, may manifest. Viral sore throat symptoms include a cough, a headache, discomfort of the eyes and runny nose, tonsils that swell after a nasal drip, enlarged lymph nodes, and exhaustion.
Diagnosis
A number of underlying medical issues can cause sore throats. Even though viral infections are the most frequent cause, a proper diagnosis is still necessary for effective treatment. The first step in a doctor’s diagnosis of sore throat is typically a physical examination. In addition to reviewing the patient’s present symptoms, they will look for infection-related symptoms in the nose, ears, and throat.
The doctor is unlikely to conduct additional tests when a patient exhibits obvious symptoms of a viral infection. A throat culture may be ordered by the physician to confirm the diagnosis of a bacterial illness. This entails obtaining a throat swab and sending it to a laboratory for examination.
Prevention
One can lower their chance of getting or spreading diseases like sore throat by avoiding close contact with those who have infectious bacterial or viral diseases and washing hands thoroughly and frequently. Refrain from smoking and being around secondhand smoke and avoidsharing food and beverages.
