Pharyngitis, the same as a sore throat
A sore throat is a symptom of a bacterial or viral infection, such as a cold. In one-third of cases, the cause of a sore throat cannot be identified. Sore throat is also known as pharyngitis.
A sore throat may be accompanied by:
- Swollen tonsils (tonsillitis);
- Enlarged and sensitive lymph glands in the throat;
- Discomfort when swallowing.
If the sore throat is caused by bacteria or a virus, there may also be symptoms associated with infectious diseases, such as:
- High temperature (fever) of 38°C or above;
- Muscle ache or tiredness;
- Headache;
- Cough;
- Runny nose.
Causes of sore throat
A sore throat is often a symptom of a bacterial or viral infection, such as a cold.
Common types of bacteria and viruses that can cause a sore throat include:
- Rhinovirus, coronavirus and parainfluenza virus, which cause colds (a quarter of sore throats are caused by them);
- Different types of streptococcal bacteria cause strep infections (group A streptococcal bacteria cause 10 per cent of sore throats in adults and about a third in children). Groups C and G are also thought to cause sore throats.
Risk groups
While most cases of sore throat can be treated at home, some people are at a higher risk of complications and may require additional treatment.
Be sure to see a doctor as soon as the first signs of infection appear if the patient:
- Has AIDS (a virus that affects the human immune system);
- Leukemia (cancer of the bone marrow);
- Asplenia (when the spleen does not work normally or if it has been removed);
- Aplastic anemia (when the bone marrow cannot produce enough red cells);
- Undergoing chemotherapy;
- Taking immunosuppressant drugs (which stop the immune system working) - for example, if he or she has had an organ transplant;
- Taking anti-thyroid drugs (to stop the thyroid gland producing too many hormones), e.g. carbimazole;
- Taking anti-rheumatic drugs, for example, to treat arthritis.
Treatment of sore throat
Sore throats are especially common in children and teenagers because they lack immunity (resistance) to many of the viruses and bacteria that can cause sore throats. Most cases of sore throat are not serious and usually go away without treatment. Over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to relieve symptoms. Antibiotics are not usually prescribed for sore throats unless you are at risk of a more serious infection.
When should you see a doctor?
Consult your doctor if:
- You have a persistent high temperature (fever) above 38C that does not come down despite taking medication;
- Your symptoms do not improve within a week;
It is important to find out the cause of the fever as it may be caused by a more serious condition such as:
- Epiglottitis - swelling and redness of the epiglottis (the area of tissue at the back of the throat, under the tongue); without treatment, this condition can cause difficulty breathing;
- Tonsillitis - a buildup of pus that forms between the back of the tonsils and the wall of the pharynx; usually caused by severe infection.
When to seek emergency medical attention
Call emergency medical help if you have a sore throat and:
- you are experiencing severe pain;
- you have difficulty breathing;
- you make a high-pitched sound when you breathe (stridor);
- saliva flows from your mouth;
- you have hoarseness;
- you have difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or cannot swallow enough fluids.
