The most common one is strep throat , an infection of the throat and tonsils caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. Strep throat causes nearly 40 percent of sore throat cases in children 3.
Tonsillitis, and sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia can also cause a sore throat. When the immune system reacts to allergy triggers like pollen, grass, and pet dander, it releases chemicals that cause symptoms like nasal congestion, watery eyes, sneezing, and throat irritation.
Excess mucus in the nose can drip down the back of the throat. This is called postnasal drip and can irritate the throat. Dry air can suck moisture from the mouth and throat, and leave them feeling dry and scratchy. The air is most likely dry in the winter months when the heater is running.
After September 11, more than 62 percent of responding firefighters reported frequent sore throats. Only 3. Any injury, such as a hit or cut to the neck, can cause pain in the throat. Getting a piece of food stuck in your throat can also irritate it. Repeated use strains the vocal cords and muscles in the throat. You can get a sore throat after yelling, talking loudly, or singing for a long period of time. Sore throats are a common complaint among fitness instructors and teachers, who often have to yell 4.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD is a condition in which acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus — the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
The acid burns the esophagus and throat, causing symptoms like heartburn and acid reflux — the regurgitation of acid into your throat. A tumor of the throat, voice box, or tongue is a less common cause of a sore throat. You can treat most sore throats at home. Get plenty of rest to give your immune system a chance to fight the infection. Shop for cool mist humidifiers. Most sore throats can be treated at home. Warm liquids or frozen foods feel soothing to the throat.
A humidifier can moisturize a dry throat. Sore throats that are caused by a viral infection usually get better on their own in two to seven days 6.
Yet some causes of a sore throat need to be treated. The following symptoms suggest a virus is the cause of the illness instead of the bacteria called group A strep:. Symptoms of sore throat, whether caused by viruses or by the bacteria called group A strep, can often be similar. Sometimes someone with strep throat also has a rash known as scarlet fever also called scarlatina.
A healthy throat and a sore throat, including uvula and tongue, showing inflamed tonsils. More about scarlet fever strep throat. See a doctor if you or your child have symptoms of strep throat. You or your child may need to be tested for strep throat.
This list is not all-inclusive. Please see your doctor for any symptom that is severe or concerning. Follow up with a doctor if symptoms do not improve within a few days, get worse, or if you or your child have recurrent sore throats. A doctor will determine what type of illness you have by asking about symptoms and doing a physical examination. Sometimes they will also swab your throat. More about rheumatic fever. Since bacteria cause strep throat, antibiotics are needed to treat the infection and prevent rheumatic fever and other complications.
A doctor cannot tell if someone has strep throat just by looking in the throat. Failure to take all of the medication as directed can result in the infection worsening or spreading to other parts of the body. Not completing the full course of antibiotics to treat strep throat can increase a child's risk of rheumatic fever or serious kidney inflammation.
If a sore throat is a symptom of a condition other than a viral or bacterial infection, other treatments will likely be considered depending on the diagnosis. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Regardless of the cause of your sore throat, these at-home care strategies can help you ease your or your child's symptoms:.
Although several alternative treatments are commonly used to soothe a sore throat, evidence is limited about what works. If you or your child needs an antibiotic for a bacterial infection, don't rely on alternative treatments alone. Check with your doctor before using any herbal remedies, as they can interact with prescription medications and may not be safe for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people with certain health conditions.
Herbal or alternative products for a sore throat are often packaged as teas, sprays or lozenges. Common alternative remedies include:. If you or your child has a sore throat, make an appointment with your family doctor or your child's pediatrician. In some cases, you may be referred to a specialist in ear, nose and throat ENT disorders or an allergy specialist allergist. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis Your or your child's doctor may review the symptoms and medical history. You should also seek treatment from your doctor if your sore throat is accompanied by a fever, chills, difficulty swallowing, or if you are unable to drink fluids, as this could be a sign of a more serious illness.
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