Symptoms Of Sore Throat
A sore throat can make it painful to swallow. A sore throat can also feel dry and scratchy. Sore throat can be a symptom of strep throat, the common cold, allergies, or other upper respiratory tract illness. Sore throat caused by a virus or the bacteria called group A Streptococcus can have similar symptoms.
Sometimes the following symptoms suggest a virus is causing the illness instead of Strep throat:
When Pain Relief Is Not Enough
As mentioned earlier, common sore throats tend to go away on their own. If you experience any of these symptoms of strep throat, however, you may need a prescription for an antibiotic. If none of these at-home remedies are helping after 48 hours, you can save your spot online at a GoHealth Urgent Care center near you!
Home Remedies For Young Children
Depending on the age of your child, they may be too small to have lozenges or hard candies. Furthermore, they may not be ready for some of the more well-known adult remedies we listed above that can soothe their throat. If thats the case, try one of these:
Many articles and blogs online claim that taking colloidal silver can be a remedy for sore throats. GoHealth Urgent Care and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health have seen no quality studies on the health effects of taking colloidal silver and have only noted how dangerous it is to your health and well-being.
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What Is Sore Throat
A sore throat, or pharyngitis, is when the throat is red, swollen and painful, especially when you swallow. It happens when the back of the throat, called the pharynx, is inflamed.
Usually, sore throats go away without treatment within 3 to 4 days. Seek medical attention if:
- you have trouble breathing or swallowing
- you have a stiff or swollen neck
- you have a high fever
- you have a rash
- you feel very unwell or the sore throat is getting worse
Home Remedies For Throat And Ear Pain
There are a few things that you can try to relieve your throat and ear pain at home, including:
- Keeping your upper body elevated while you sleep
- Sucking on cough drops
- Drinking plenty of cold fluids and eating ice pops or ice cream
- Applying warm compresses or cold packs to your throat or the side of your head over your ear
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Natural Treatments For Earache And Sore Throat
To relieve a painful sore throat and an accompanying earache, there are several natural home remedies you can try.
1. Gargle warm water every 30 minutes to nip early symptoms. For stronger aches in the ear and throat, gargle every 15 minutes, adding apple cider vinegar or cayenne pepper to the water.
2. Hot liquids sooth a sore throat. You can drink plain warm water, hot lemon tea, or even tea with honey.
3. Massage one teaspoon of olive oil and sandal or thyme oil onto the neck before wrapping it with a scarf. To help the ear, dip a towel in hot water before wrapping it around the head, covering the ears.
4. Ginger has also been used since ancient times to cure a number of aches and pains. You can add ginger to a warm drink or drink ginger tea.5. Garlic has been used for centuries to cure various ailments. Use two cloves of garlic in drinks or soups to heal a sore throat. For an earache, heat a mixture of one half of a garlic clove and sesame oil and allow it to drip in one ear and then the other after 10 minutes.
Symptoms Of Strep Throat
The most common symptoms of strep throat include:
- Sore throat that can start very quickly
- Pain when swallowing
- Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
- Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth
- Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck
Sometimes someone with strep throat also has a rash known as scarlet fever .
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Hand Foot And Mouth Disease
As the name implies, this viral illness usually causes sores to form on the hands, feet, and mouth. Sores can develop in the back of the mouth, near the sides of the throat, and one side may be more affected than the other.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease usually occurs in children under 5 years of age , but it can also spread to older children and adults.
The recommended treatment usually comprises rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medication for pain relief. However, the disease can cause dehydration, especially in young children. A person should see a doctor if they are unable to drink.
Overusing or misusing the voice can lead to lesions or sores on the vocal cords. A lesion may form on one side, causing one area of the throat to be sore.
A person with a vocal cord lesion will usually notice a change in their voice, such as hoarseness.
These types of lesions are usually treatable. Resting the voice and vocal therapy are typically used to correct vocal cord lesions. In some cases, lesions will require surgery.
Best Sore Throat Remedies To Make You Feel Better Fast According To Doctors
Some home remedies only mask painbut these solutions can help you get rid of your sore throat completely.
Sore throat symptoms can be rough. Your saliva goes down like sandpaper, every cough makes you wince, and the only thing you can think about is making that lump in the back of your throat go away.
But to ease the pain, you need to understand whats causing your sore throat in the first place: dry air, smoking, acid reflux, viral infections like the flu or common cold, and bacterial infections like strep can all lead to a sore throat.
In general, a viral infection usually comes with other symptoms, like muscle aches and fatigue, along with your sore throat, says Chester Griffiths MD, an otolaryngologist at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. With a bacterial infection, on the other hand, the pain is usually more focused on your throat and the soreness tends to be pretty severe, Dr. Griffiths says. You may also have intense pain when you swallow, along with a high fever.
Exposure to smoke, breathing in dry air, and having acid reflux tends to feel very different from an infection, says Jason Abramowitz, MD, an ear, nose, and throat specialist at ENT and Allergy Associates. Usually patients do not feel as sick overall the pain is also usually not as severe, he says.
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What Causes A Sore Throat On One Side
Whether it is the left or right side of your throat, discomfort and pain can be presented by various health conditions ranging from mild to severe.
Some can be taken care of with home remedies, while more serious symptoms should be treated by your doctor.
1. Dental procedures or conditions can result in a sore throat on only one side. An abscessed tooth or gum disease can cause your throat to ache, particularly if there is an infection that can spread into the throat region.
The position you rest in during a procedure can also affect your breathing ability, resulting in a sore throat.
2. Common cold or flu symptoms most often include a sore throat. You may feel this more on one side during resting hours if you sleep on one side as the mucus will drain into your throat from your nose.
3. Swollen lymph nodes from an illness such as a cold or ear infection can be felt on either side at times. When the neck lymph nodes became enlarged, they are usually felt more on one side.
4. Vocal cord nodules are calluses that appear on the vocal cords after continuous use of voice with little rest. They can make a particular spot in the throat very sore.
7. Peritonsillar abscess can cause the throat to be very painful on one side. A complication of tonsillitis, this develops from a pus-filled sore near the tonsils.
A Tooth Abscess Or Infection
A tooth abscess is an accumulation of pus due to a bacterial infection. This pus collection grows at the tip of the tooths root. The most common symptoms are excruciating pain that travels to the jawbone and to the ear on the side of the face. The lymph nodes close to the neck and throat can also become inflamed and sore.
Other signs that your tooth is infected include:
- sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- pain while chewing
- swelling in your face or cheek
- tender, swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck
If your wisdom teeth erupt abnormally, there are high chances that infection may develop. Even with a normal eruption, its difficult to clean the third molars thoroughly, and an infection can develop due to poor hygiene. Infection in the wisdom teeth can result in jaw pain and inflammation, and you may find it hard to open the mouth.
If your wisdom teeth are causing problems, your dentist will likely recommend removing them. If you have a tooth abscess, your dentist may make an incision to drain the pus. You might also need an antibiotic.
The best course of treatment would be to schedule an appointment with your dentist, who might recommend a root canal to get rid of the pus or extract the impacted wisdom teeth.
In the meantime, you can try the following home remedies to ease the pain due to tooth infection.
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Treatments For Sore Throat On One Side
While some of the causes of a sore throat on one side will require you to seek medical attention, there are home remedies to relieve the pain and discomfort. Some experts recommends any of the following therapies.
1. Steam Shower
Taking deep breaths in an enclosed room of steam will soothe an aching throat as well as loosen any mucus you may have. This is very effective whether you are in the water or just in a small bathroom with the door closed.
2. Humidifier
Using a humidifier to put moisture in a dry room will help a sore throat, if not prevent one from starting. You can also use essential oils such as eucalyptus to clear any respiratory issues that cause a sore throat.
3. Honey
Combine a few drops of honey in a cup of tea or take a spoonful of honey to help ease an aching throat.
4. Water
Cold water can help take the sting out of a sore throat and will keep you hydrated to prevent worse pain from being dry in the mouth and throat.
5. Cough Drops
Use the ones that contain honey or eucalyptus for added sore throat relief. Avoid ones with added menthol as this can cause more discomfort before any good effects are felt.6. Gargling
This age-old remedy is quickly and easily accessible, and fast-acting. Mix one teaspoon of table salt with a cup of warm water and gargle in your throat.
Try not to swallow it as it may cause more pain. Repeat several times daily while experiencing a sore throat or cold.
Symptoms Of A Sore Throat
A sore throat means that your throat hurts and is irritated, swollen, or scratchy. It usually hurts worse when you swallow. Depending on the cause of your sore throat, symptoms include:
- White spots on your throat or tonsils
- Red, swollen tonsils
- Swollen glands in your neck
In some cases, additional symptoms include:
- Joint or muscle pain
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How Do I Fight Off An Impending Sore Throat
Its not always possible to fight off an impending sore throat. However, there are some things that you can do if you feel a sore throat coming on.
Try resting up and limiting your exposure to things that may further irritate your throat. Also try reducing your stress levels, as high stress can negatively affect your immune system.
Sipping on warm liquids and staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can help too. Using a humidifier can add moisture to dry air.
Throat Pain After Surgery
Throat pain that happens just after you have had general anesthesia or a breathing tube inserted is probably not cause for concern. If the throat pain does not go away within a few days, though, you may want to contact your doctor.
Some surgeries, such as a thyroidectomy, can cause throat pain on their own, so keep this in mind.
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What Are The Causes Of Sore Throat And Earaches
While an earache is usually the result of an inner, middle, or outer ear infection, a sore throat can be caused by effects of the ear infection or another condition. Both can produce mild to severe symptoms, mainly in the form of various levels of pain. A serious issue with a sore throat can impede swallowing or even cause breathing difficulties.
Causes Of A Sore Throat At Night
Viral infections cause the majority of sore throats, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . The viruses that infect your throat are also responsible for other respiratory conditions, such as the common cold and the flu. A sore throat at night could also be caused by allergies, dry air in the bedroom, indoor air pollution or smoking.
Another less common cause of this condition is a group A Streptococcus bacterial infection, otherwise known as strep throat. In addition to experiencing pain in the throat, this bacterial infection may cause red, swollen tonsils, tiny red spots at the back of the mouth, a fever, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands in the neck, headaches, body aches or a rash. Fortunately, only 5 to 15 of every 100 cases of sore throats in adults are due to strep throat though in children, the incidence rate rises to every 20 to 30 cases in 100.
Baylor College of Medicine lists some further causes of a sore throat at night:
- Acid reflux, which is a condition where the stomach contents flow upward into the throat, causing pain and irritation.
- Mononucleosis, which is a whole-body, viral infection, often referred to as mono.
- Muscle tension in the throat.
- Tonsil stones, which consist of food debris embedded in the tonsils, resulting in inflammation of the tissues and discomfort.
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Tooth Abscess Or Infection
A tooth abscess is a contained collection of pus caused by a bacterial infection. This pocket of pus grows at the tip of the root of your tooth. It can cause severe pain that radiates to your jawbone and your ear on one side of your face. The lymph nodes around your neck and throat may also be swollen and tender.
Other signs that your tooth is infected include:
- sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- pain while chewing
- swelling in your face or cheek
- tender, swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck
Infection is common with impacted wisdom teeth, which are four molars in the back of your mouth that dont have enough room to develop normally. Even when these teeth do emerge from the gums, theyre hard to clean, making them prone to infection. Infected wisdom teeth can cause jaw pain and swelling, making it difficult to open your mouth.
If your wisdom teeth are causing problems, your dentist will likely recommend removing them. If you have a tooth abscess, your dentist may make an incision to drain the pus. You might also need an antibiotic.
Everything You Need To Know About Throat Pain
Throat pain can be caused by a number of ailments. Some causes, like strep throat and acute laryngitis, are transient and often resolve on their own. Other causes, like acid reflux, can be chronic and require treatment from a healthcare professional.
Throat pain and painful swallowing can make it difficult to eat and drink. If severe enough, swallowing problems can lead to weight loss or other problems.
This article will cover the different causes of throat pain and explain when you should see a doctor. It will also offer suggestions for easing a sore throat.
Verywell / Alexandra Gordon
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When To See A Healthcare Provider For A Sore Throat
Most cases of sore throats are treatable with home remedies and OTC products, but you may need to consult a medical professional if your symptoms dont go away or the condition worsens.
For example, it could be time to contact a healthcare provider if you have a sore throat that doesnt improve and pain spreads to the ear. Other symptoms such as high fever, difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, or having white patches in the back of the throat are additional reasons to seek medical attention.
A sore throat is also a mild symptom of coronavirus a virus that may require medical attention. Always consult a healthcare professional when seeking sore throat relief for pregnant women or young children.
Treating a sore throat with home remedies as soon as the symptoms begin could prevent the need to see a healthcare provider and significantly reduce the time length of the illness. A combination of home remedies and OTC products could be the solution to a sore throat, but dont hesitate to reach out for professional assistance to get the help you need.