Nearly every winter you are quite likely to experience a sore throat. They usually go hand in hand with a cold. Sometimes a sore throat can be a signal of a more serious illness like strep throat.
What is a sore throat?
You know you have sore throat when you experience pain, itching or irritation in the throat. It can also be accompanied by a difficulty swallowing food or liquids and the pain may get worse when you try swallowing.
Who are most commonly affected by sore throats?
Sore throats can affect people of all ages but those who have a higher risk of contracting it are: children, smokers, those who are prone to allergies, and those whose immune systems are compromised. The risk factor increases when people share a close space.
What causes a sore throat?
The following conditions may cause sore throats:
- The following conditions may cause sore throats:
- A viral infection such as: colds and flu
- A bacterial infection such as: strep throat, diphtheria or
whooping cough - An allergic reaction to pollens, pet dander, molds and
other irritants - An airconditioned room – may dry out your throat
What are the most common symptoms of sore throat?
According to healthline.com the following are the symtoms of a sore throat:
- Throat pain
- Dry throat
- Swollen glands in the neck
- White patches on the tonsils
- Hoarseness of voice
How to prevent sore throat?
- Wash your hands frequently to prevent contracting an
infection.
- Get into the habit of keeping your personal belongings such
as: drinking glasses and utensils to yourself. Sharing them increases
the risk of contracting communicable diseases such as a sore throat. - Always be conscious of maintaining good hygiene. Whenever
soap and water is not available, keep a hand sanitizer handy. - Stay away from commonly touched surfaces. If they cannot be
avoided, wash your hands immediately after. - Be conscious of limiting exposure to allergens.
- Avoid smoking
- Make it a habit to of keeping a humidifier in your house to
eliminate dryness.
What are your treatment options?
When treating your sore throat, you can start by looking at home remedies such as: gargling with warm salt water, drinking plenty of warm fluids such as tea, soup and water. You can also try avoiding environmental irritants such as smoke and fumes from chemicals.
There are times no matter how much we avoid it, getting sore throat is just unavoidable. If you find yourself with a sore throat, go check out our Sore Throat Remedy and Treatment section to get help with the symptoms.
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