What is Sore Throat?
Sore throat is a type of infection that afflicts the back portion of the throat. The back portion is called the pharynx. Pharyngitis can affect various parts of the mouth, from the tonsils to the soft palate to 1/3 of the tongue’s back portion.
A sore throat usually occurs due to the presence of a virus or bacteria. People usually think that it’s just the tonsils affected when you have a sore throat, so the more common name for the condition is tonsillitis. The more proper name for the condition is infectious pharyngitis.
Some virus causes a staggering 90% of all sore throat infections. This condition usually occurs in individuals who get “mono” infections, flu, and sexually-transmitted illness like cold sores. The Herpes simplex virus causes cold sores. The condition is called oral herpes.
The viruses that cause sore throat can hang around in the air or linger on surfaces that have been touched by infected people. Don’t worry – a person who has a sore throat is unlikely to pass on to others.
They are not considered infectious through speech and kissing. Viral pharyngitis is different from strep throat. Bacteria cause strep throat. If left untreated, a strep infection can migrate to other parts of the body and cause further complications. The infected person will also struggle with pus pockets that will form around the tonsils.
Symptoms of Pharyngitis
The most common symptoms of pharyngitis include having a stuffy nose, having a reddish and inflamed throat, dry cough, loss of voice or hoarseness, and even redness around the eyes.
Children may experience diarrhea in some cases, but not always. Complicated cases of pharyngitis may also result in the eruption of sores inside and around the mouth. Some sores may also erupt on the lips.
Pharyngitis Prevention Tips
By taking simple precautions and steps, you can help prevent viral or bacterial pharyngitis. First, engage in frequent handwashing to ensure that you don’t accidentally ingest bacteria or viruses from your hands. You should also be mindful of touching your face or mouth if you are caring for a person who has a sore throat. Suppose a person in your household has a sore throat, separate that person’s glasses, dishes, and utensils. To ensure that they are clean, use hot water and dish soap. The hot water will be sufficient in reducing the bacterial or viral load in dishes, glasses, and utensils.
Toddlers should be cared for in the same way. A toddler with a sore throat should have all his toys cleaned regularly. Kids normally place toys and other inedible objects in their mouths.
How Long Does a Sore Throat Last? Why is my sore throat not going away?
Viral pharyngitis takes some time to go away on its own. Unless there are further complications, you should be able to feel relief from the viral pharyngitis within seven days.
If your throat becomes very inflamed and you observe small pockets of white or green, you may be dealing with some much more complex than a simple viral throat infection. It would help if you got checked out as soon as possible, as you may have a bacterial throat infection.
Strep throat begins to decrease when you begin taking the proper antibiotics for it. Relief from strep throat, and regaining some of your voice should happen within a day or two after you start taking your medication.
Is Colloidal Silver Good for Sore Throats?
Some people are championing the use of colloidal silver for sore throat infections. But how safe is this? Colloidal silver has been used before the era of modern antibiotics as a “cure-all.” This is the main problem with it. In reality, there is no “cure-all” because diseases have specific responses to medicine. It is not entirely safe to ingest anything with silver ions for many reasons.
The first reason is that the manufacture of colloidal silver is not standardized, and there are no health or medical safeguards put into place for their manufacture.
There is also the risk of developing a medical condition called argyria. Argyria occurs when silver begins accumulating in the body. This condition eventually causes a person to turn blue.
The deposition of the metal inside the body also occurs in many organs, including the liver, skin, and even the kidneys.
It is not worth the risk primarily because there are many proven and cheap methods of solving the problem that won’t expose you to additional health risks along the way.
Using Vinegar for Sore Throat
Apple cider vinegar may be helpful in some instances to help relieve the symptoms of pharyngitis. This is a home treatment that does not have any serious side effects. Apple cider vinegar has natural antibacterial and antiviral properties that can slow down a current infection’s rampage.
You can also use this substance as a natural mouthwash to prevent possible infections from taking place.
However, if you indeed have a bacterial infection, you must consult with your physician to take the proper medication for it. You run the risk of having a complicated infection that might spread to other parts of the body.
Do Cough Drops Help Sore Throat?
Cough drops or lozenges contain ingredients like menthol. Menthol can help produce a numbing effect on the throat tissue and surrounding tissues. This, in turn, can make the sore throat episode less painful and more tolerable.
Some people take candy to help relieve their throats. Candies don’t work on the inflammation but instead encourage the release of saliva, which is responsible for giving relief to inflamed throats. Medicated lozenges are not designed for small children.
How Do I Get Rid of a Sore Throat Quickly?
The speediest way to get rid of sore throat is by consulting with your physician and obtaining the proper medication.
