Causes and Symptoms of Sore Throat

Sore throat can be acquired through various channels. The following are some of the causes and symptoms you should look out for in the infection:

Causes of sore throat

The two main causes of sore throat are viral and bacterial. Sexually transmitted bacteria such as that of gonorrhea also have the potential of causing sore throat. A common virus that is known to cause this infection is called the Epstein Barr virus. Other causes of sore throat may include measles, breathing through the mouth, throat cancer (common among smokers), allergies, which can cause chronic throat irritation and surgeries like tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.

Bacteria and viruses

Some viruses have the capacity of producing blisters in the mouth and throat. Bacteria can be transmitted through common sicknesses like fever, common cold and flu. The most common bacteria is the Arcanobacterium which causes sore throat in young adults and is often characterized by red rash

Consumption of alcohol, particularly in large quantities can also cause sore throat. Smoking and polluted air may also bring about this infection. Furthermore, having cold beverages especially during cold seasons provide ample environment for the sore throat infection to show up. This infection usually last for a few days; but if it persists for more than two weeks, it can be an indication of even more serious diseases, particularly HIV/AIDS or throat cancer. Sore throat showing up after treatment with immune compromising medications may be due to a “thrush”.

Symptoms of sore throat may include:

1) Acute pain in the neck. The bacterium that causes this disease usually causes some pain in this region; due to inflammation of the lymph glands. But this characteristic does not apply to everyone.

2) Dry, scratchy and painful swellings. This causes severe pain particularly when one is swallowing food. These are some of the known signs of having a sore throat. Sometimes it is easy to treat sore throat related problems, and doctor’s help may not be required. But, if things do not look good with your throat, it has to be checked with the doctor and a test has to be carried out.

3) Continuous dry coughs. This may be an indication of irritation of the tonsil. Someone with a sore throat involuntarily finds him/herself coughing without any mucous. The cough is just a relief from the tonsil irritation.

4) Loss of appetite, headache and slight fever. Sore throat makes it hard for one to eat because one’s mind focuses on the infection rather than the food. The viruses or bacteria also messes up with the taste buds thus giving food a bad taste. When one is unable to eat for some time stress would build up and with it headache and fever would follow.

5) Nausea and a bright red tongue. Irritation of the inner parts of the throat can cause a constant feeling of vomiting, even if one hasn’t eaten anything. A bright red tongue is an indication of the presence of bacteria or virus.

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Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: sore throat,causes sore throat,sore throat involuntarily

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