Understanding and Managing Sore Throat
Published On: 29 Jul, 2024 4:27 PM | Updated On: 31 Jul, 2024 12:00 PM

Understanding and Managing Sore Throat

Sore throat

A Common Ailment.1

Often caused by viral or bacterial infections.1

Allergies or Smoke can also cause Sore throat.

Proper treatment can give quick relief.

A Sore Throat may Cause

  • Throat pain.1
  • Fever.1
  • Swollen neck glands.1
  • White patches of pus on the throat.1
  • Scratchy feeling or dryness over the throat.2
  • Difficulty while swallowing.2
  • A hoarse or muffled voice.2
  • Immediately 

Immediately Contact your Healthcare Provider if you Experience:

  • Difficulty breathing.1
  • Blood tinted saliva.3
  • Skin rash.4
  • Inability to swallow .3
  • Swelling of the neck or tongue.3
  • Or have long-standing illnesses or medications that weaken your immune system.1

Tips for Managing a Sore Throat at Home

  • Don't take antibiotics for viral infections, instead, use Povidone Iodine gargle to decrease viral and bacterial load on the throat.5
  • You may take over-the-counter pain relievers, and use an anesthetic spray.1
  • Suck on vitamin C tablets, and lick honey to soothe your throat.6
  • Avoid smoking and smoky environments.
  • Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer to add moisture to the air and relieve dryness in the throat.6
  • Stay well-hydrated with plenty of fluids and warm beverages.1
  • Eat soft food.

Get adequate rest and return to your daily activities once you feel better.1

Tips for Preventing Sore Throat

  • Wash hands frequently.2
  • Avoid close contact with individuals suffering from infections.2
  • Use tissues while coughing or sneezing.2

If you have Strep Throat-
  • Stay home until you have completed 24 hours of antibiotics.
  • Treatment will improve your symptoms within 24 hours, and you become less contagious.

Prioritize personal hygiene and seek medical advice for a swift recovery and minimize the impact on your daily life.

References-

  1. Krüger K, Töpfner N, Berner R, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Sore Throat. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2021;118(11):188-94. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0121. PMID: 33602392; PMCID: PMC8245861.
  2. Sharma V, Sheekha J. Understanding about Recurrent Sore Throat among School Going Adolescent Children. HmlynJrAppl Med Scie Res. 2023; 4(1):9-12
  3. Centor RM, Samlowski R. Avoiding Sore Throat Morbidity and Mortality: When Is It Not “Just a Sore Throat?”. Am Fam Physician. 2011;83(1):26-28
  4. Wilson M, Wilson PJK. Sore Throat. In: Close Encounters of the Microbial Kind. Springer, Cham. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56978-5_13
  5. Naqvi SHS, Citardi MJ, Cattano D. et al. Povidone-iodine solution as SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis for procedures of the upper aerodigestive tract a theoretical framework. J of Otolaryngol - Head & Neck Surg. 2020; 49:77. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40463-020-00474-x
  6. Collins JC, Moles RJ. Management of Respiratory Disorders and the Pharmacist's Role: Cough, Colds, and Sore Throats and Allergies (Including Eyes). Encyclopedia of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy. 2019: 282-291. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-812735-3.00510-0

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