Sore throat

Reviewed by Dr John Pillinger, GP

What is a sore throat?

A sore throat (also known as pharyngitis or tonsillitis) is a disease primarily located in the area around the tonsils. It can be caused by both a virus and a bacteria. A sore throat is partly a disease in itself and partly an effect of other diseases such as flu and glandular fever.

The disease is normally seen in children and young people but it can occur at any age. The characteristics of the disease are throat pain and trouble swallowing. If the disease is due to bacteria it can be treated with antibiotics. Usually there are no complications.

How do you contract a sore throat?

By being infected by a virus or bacteria.

Infection by a virus may come from the same virus that causes colds and from an Epstein-Barr virus - the latter causes glandular fever. The infection originates from airborne droplets and hands that carry the infection from person to person.

Among the bacteria that cause sore throats, the streptococcus group A is the most common. The incubation period between picking up the infection until the disease breaks out, is two to four days or sometimes less.

Good advice

If signs of a sore throat persist for more than a few days or are severe with marked difficulty in swallowing, high fever or vomiting, then your GP should be consulted.

Warm drinks and soft food may ease swallowing problems.

Drink plenty of fluids.

What are the signs of a sore throat?

Pain in the throat and difficulty in swallowing.

Pain may spread to the ears.

The throat is reddish, the tonsils are swollen and may be coated.

Possibly a high temperature.

Swollen lymph nodes under your jaw and in your neck may occur.

If the sore throat is due to a viral infection the symptoms are usually milder. Usually they are connected to the common cold.

If the sore throat is due to the Coxsackie virus, small blisters may develop on the tonsils and in the soft palate. The blisters erupt in a few days and are followed by a scab which may be very painful.

If the sore throat is due to a streptococcal infection, the tonsils often swell and become coated and the throat is sore. The patient runs a temperature, has sour breath and may feel quite ill.

How does the doctor make a diagnosis?

The doctor usually makes the diagnosis from the symptoms of the disease, but occasionally a swab of the secretions of the throat and maybe a blood sample are required to identify the cause.

What complications may arise?

Usually a sore throat causes no trouble and only lasts about a week, but the following complications may arise:

a secondary infection may occur in the middle ear or sinuses.

if the sore throat is due to a streptococcus infection, there may be a rash (scarlet fever).

an uncommon complication is a throat abscess that usually occurs only on one side.

in very rare cases, diseases like rheumatic fever or a particular kidney disease (glomerulonephritis) may occur.

How is a sore throat treated and which medication may help?

In the vast majority of cases, a sore throat cased by a virus infection need only be treated with paracetamol (eg Calpol, Panadol) to bring the temperature down.

In a small minority of patients, a sore throat caused by bacteria is treated with penicillin, or erythromycin in cases of penicillin allergy.

The symptoms of a sore throat can be relieved by using over-the-counter medicines, such as sprays containing antiseptics and anaesthetics to numb the sore area, or antiseptic gargles. These can be bought without a prescription and your doctor or pharmacist will be able to advise you about them.

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