ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Sore throat

What is sore throat?

4 May 2021

It appears through irritation, inflammation, dryness, and pain, aspects that worsen by swallowing. The most common origin of a sore throat or pharyngitis is the presence of a viral infection such as the flu, which heals in a few days without the need for treatment. 

There is another less common type of sore throat that is caused by a bacterial infection, which must be treated with antibiotics to avoid major problems.

Signs and symptoms Sore throat

  • Irritation, pain, and inflammation.
  • Swallowing problems.
  • Swollen lymph nodes. 
  • Swollen tonsils.
  • Pus on the tonsils.
  • Hoarseness.

Depending on the type of infection that causes the sore throat, other additional symptoms may develop:  

  • Muscle pain.
  • Headache.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • High fever.
  • Cough.
  • Sneezing and mucus.

Potential risks:

  • Childhood or adolescence. 
  • Active or passive smoking. 
  • Allergic reactions.
  • Chemical substances. 
  • Recurrent respiratory infections. 
  • Go to crowded places.
  • Weak immune system. 

How to prevent it:

  • Refrain from sharing personal belongings, food, or kitchen items.
  • Disinfect public use objects such as door and drawer handles, keyboards, light switches, remote controls, etc.
  • Avoid having contact with sick individuals or with symptoms.
  • Perform hand hygiene constantly.
  • Avoid touching your face with dirty hands.

Diagnosis and treatment Sore throat

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and medical history, he or she will perform a physical examination that includes: 

  • Observing the throat, ears, and nose.
  • Feeling your neck and jaw for swollen lymph nodes.
  • Listening to your breathing with a stethoscope.

Also, he or she can perform a throat swab to send the secretion sample to be analyzed in the laboratory and determine the type of bacteria that is causing the infection. 

When the origin of the sore throat is a viral infection, treatment is not required and usually lasts a week, where painkillers can be taken to relieve symptoms. It usually lasts five to seven days and does not require medical treatment. 

In the case of bacterial infections, the prescription of antibiotics is necessary for a certain period, a period that must be met even if the symptoms have disappeared, otherwise there is a risk of worsening or becoming resistant to the bacteria in question.

In ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies of both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Sore throat

Internal Medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • cdc.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • healthline.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Niubó CE, Valdes-Dapena M, Manrique-Suárez V, et al. Tipificación mediante electroforesis de campos pulsantes de cepas de Streptococcus beta hemolíticos presentes en un brote de faringitis en niños. Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol. 2015;53(1):.
  • Vidal TLA, Porto ÁG, Claro ML, et al. Fiebre periódica con estomatitis aftosa, faringitis, y adenitis. Rev Méd Electrón. 2018;40(4):1155-1162.
  • Oliva GY, Piloto MM, Iglesias GP. Clínica y epidemiología de las infecciones respiratorias agudas en pacientes de 0-14 años. Rev Ciencias Médicas. 2013;17(1):49-62.

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