Have you had a sore throat for far too long?
Tried all the sore throat medicines on the market, including sprays, lozenges, and syrups?
If yes, then your sore throat could be a symptom of something more serious.
Read on to find out more about sore throats and when to seek help for a persistent sore throat.
What are the main symptoms of a sore throat?
Depending on what is causing your sore throat, your symptoms may vary. The most common symptoms of a sore throat are:
- Pain in the throat
- A scratchy sensation
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swollen glands
- Swollen and inflamed tonsils
- White patches or pus on the tonsils
- A hoarse voice
What causes a sore throat?
In the vast majority of cases, a sore throat is caused by the cold and flu virus. However, sometimes it can be caused by a bacterial infection.
Some of the most common viral infections that cause a sore throat are:
- Common cold
- Flu
- Mono
- Measles
- Chickenpox
- COVID-19
- Croup
As well as viral and bacterial infections, sometimes sore throats can be the result of an allergy, dry air, or outdoor pollutants such as tobacco smoke and chemicals.
Cancerous tumors of the throat, larynx, and tongue can cause a persistent sore throat. They may also make it hard to breathe and swallow. You can find out more information about the symptoms of throat cancer at moffitt.org.
When do I need to see a doctor about a sore throat?
If you are an adult, then you should see a doctor if:
- Your sore throat has lasted longer than a week
- Your symptoms are severe, and your medication is not working
- You are experiencing difficulty breathing and/or swallowing
- You have joint pain
- You have severe earache
- You have a rash
- You have a fever of over 101F
- You have a lump in your neck
- You have swelling in the face or neck
Who is most at risk of persistent sore throats?
There are several factors that increase your risk of experiencing persistent sore throats, although anyone is susceptible to this affliction.
Most notably, children and teenagers are more likely to develop sore throats than adults, especially those aged between 3 and 15.
If you are exposed to tobacco smoke frequently, you are also more likely to suffer from persistent sore throats. This is the case for both smokers and those exposed to second-hand smoke.
Those with a weakened immune system are more susceptible to infections, including those that cause sore throats.
How to prevent sore throats
If you suffer from frequent sore throats, then there are several steps that you can take to tackle this:
- Wash your hands after using the bathroom, before and after eating, and every time you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Avoid sharing food and utensils with other people.
- Ensure you cough or sneeze into a tissue and throw it away immediately after use.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Regularly disinfect your mobile phone, doorknobs, TV remotes, and light switches.
- Avoid close contact with anyone who is unwell.