With winter in full swing, you undoubtedly know someone who has complained of a sore throat, or maybe you’ve had one yourself. There are many different causes of sore throats, from bacterial or viral infections to allergies and sinus infections. However, a sore throat may also be indicative of a much more serious infection or even problems related to your stomach. If you have a sore throat that has lasted for more than five to seven days, you should contact your Dallas throat doctor. While there are many different things you can do to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with a sore throat, it may also be a sign of something more serious that your ENT doctor will be able to determine.
Signs of a Sore Throat
A throat is most commonly characterized by discomfort, pain, or scratchiness in the throat. In some cases, a sore throat may make it painful to swallow. Others signs of a sore throat include dryness, swollen and red tonsils, a hoarse and muffled voice, and white patches or pus on the tonsils.
What Causes a Sore Throat?
Sore throats are an extremely common occurrence that are usually prevalent in the morning and improve as the day progresses. Similarly to colds, most sore throats are caused by viral infections, which means they will not respond to antibiotics. Below we will go over what the most common causes of sore throats are. If you have any questions about the information below, please do not hesitate to contact your ENT doctor at Central Park.
Here is a brief look at the most common causes of a sore throat:
- Viruses. As mentioned, the vast majority of sore throats accompany viral infections, such as the flu, colds, measles, chicken pox, whooping cough, and croup. One serious viral infection, infectious mononucleosis, or mono, typically takes much longer to be cured and comes with additional symptoms. Most people suffering from mono will experience a severe sore throat that may last for one to four weeks.
- Bacterial Infections. The most common bacterial infection that shows up in the form of a sore throat is strep throat. This type of infection can also damage the heart valves and kidneys, as well as cause more serious illnesses, such as pneumonia, scarlet fever, and sinusitis. Other dangerous throat infections include the following:
- Tonsillitis – An infection of the lymphatic tissues on the sides of the back of the throat, tonsillitis oftentimes shows up as a sore throat to start.
- Epiglottitis – An infection of the larynx that causes swelling that closes the airway.
- People who are allergic to pollens and molds may experience a sore throat when exposed to these types of allergens.
- When the stomach acids are regurgitated up into the back of the throat, it may lead to a sore throat
- Tumors. Throat, tongue, and larynx tumors can cause a sore throat with pain radiating all the way to ear in some cases. Other symptoms associated with these types of tumors include hoarseness, noisy breathing, unexplained weight loss, blood in the saliva or phlegm, and a lump in the neck.
- HIV Infection. Individuals with HIV may experience a chronic sore throat, not due to the HIV virus itself, but to a secondary infection.
If have been experiencing a sore throat for an extended period of time, please contact your Dallas ENT doctor right away. While most sore throats are associated with minor colds, they may also be the sign of something more serious. Once you make an appointment with our Dallas ENT clinic, one of our knowledgeable doctors will examine you and make a diagnosis based on their findings.