Sore Throat Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment 

A sore throat, which is also referred to as "pharyngitis" is a common condition. In this condition, you feel the throat scratchy, and you feel pain while talking and swallowing. A sore throat is typically caused by viral infection, but sometimes streptococcus bacteria also cause a sore throat.

It can also be a sign for severe medical issues, such as flu or cold., but Aa sore throat can occur by itself. People usually recover from it within seven days, as it does not last for a more extended period. Furthermore, if your sore throat is not getting better, concern our doctors they will help you.

The most common symptoms of a sore throat are:

• Glands inflammation in the neck

• Scratchy sensation in the throat

• Discomfort or pain while talking and swallowing

• White pus on tonsils

• Tonsils may look swollen and red

• Resonance in sound

With a sore throat, you are likely to experience:

• Headache

• A Cough

• Blocked or a runny nose

• High fever

• Sneezing

• Vomiting or nausea

• Tiredness

• Muscle pain or ache

A child or baby with a sore throat may also experience:

• High temperature

• Lethargy or laziness

A sore throat can be caused by either bacterial, viral or caused by any other condition.

In most cases virus can be the cause. Moreover, bacteria and viruses are passed from one person to another by direct or indirect contact. Direct contact includes cough and sneezes, and indirect contact includes the touching of the surface, already been touched by an infected person.

Causes of a sore throat include:

• Cold

• Mumps

• Flu

• Measles

• Laryngitis

• Mononucleosis

• Tonsillitis

• Glandular fever

• Allergies

• GORD

• Fever

• Strep throat

• Croup (common in children)

• Exposure to an irritant, like smoke

Usually, people recover from a sore throat within a few days or week without consulting any doctor or general physician for treatment or diagnosis. However, if the condition is not improving even after a week, then you should visit a doctor or general physician. Similarly, if you are getting this infection of a sore throat frequently, it means it is severe, and if you have a high fever, you should see GP.

Consult a doctor if you have a weak immune system since with weak immune system you are at high risk of severe complication from a sore throat. Our general physicians can listen to your problem or symptoms through video consultation and can also scrutinize before providing with any diagnoses.

However, a sore throat does not need treatment, as it gets fine within a week or a few days.

There are remedies you can do at home to soothemollify the symptoms of a sore throat, it includes:

• Taking over the counter painkillers (use medicines for children with a sore throat)

• Garglinge with warm salt water (not for children)

• Drink plenty of liquid (cold fluids can help in soothing pain)

• Plenty of rest and sleep

• Avoid smoking and smoky environment

• Use a humidifier to keep the air moist at home

• Use anaesthetic spray to make the back of your throat numb (such sprays are available at pharmacy)

Doctors only prescribe antibiotics for a sore throat if they are caused by bacterial infection, and at the discretion of the doctor. As compared to a sore throat, strep throat is more painful, and it lasts for a more extended period than a sore throat.