Here you can read about how it is contagious, causes and simple home remedies that can relieve.
Sore throat is an infection caused by a virus or bacteria in the tonsils – usually streptococci. It affects all ages, but is most common among older children and adolescents. Younger children can instead get scarlet fever.
The infection is spread in several ways, for example through kisses, handshakes and other body contact or through sneezing. You can also get sore throat by coming in contact with objects that carry these bacteria.
It usually takes two to four days from the time you become infected until the symptoms appear.
What are the main causes of sore throat?
Sore throat or acute pharyngotonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils caused by viruses or bacteria. It is the bacterially caused sore throat that may require antibiotic treatment, says David Landin, specialist at the ear, nose and throat clinic at Karolinska University Hospital in Solna.
How do I know if I have a sore throat and not just a sore throat?
– If you have a sore throat, fever, large red tonsils with coatings, fever more than 38.5 degrees without you having other cold symptoms such as cough or runny nose. And that the symptoms do not disappear in two days.
Common Symptoms of Sore Throat
Sore throat
The pain can be very strong, especially when swallowing, sometimes it hurts even in the ears.
Porridge
Swollen tonsils – often even with coatings – can affect speech.
Fever
It can sometimes be very high.
Enlarged lymph nodes on the neck
Most often it is the lymph nodes at the jaw angles that swell. They usually feel like tender bullets under the skin.
Symptoms in young children
Young children – aged one or two – usually do not get common sore throat symptoms. Instead, they usually get a thick colored runny nose. In addition to fever.
How is sore throat transmitted and for how long?
How long is sore throat transmitted? Many people wonder that. The answer is from the first symptoms appear until two days after starting antibiotic treatment. If you do not eat antibiotics, you must be fever-free one day before you can stay with others without the risk of infecting them.
This is how you prevent
A good way to prevent sore throat is to wash your hands often. And not to share a toothbrush with others in the family.
It is also important to replace your toothbrush three to four days after starting the antibiotic regimen. Otherwise, the bacteria can survive in the toothbrush and spread the infection again when the antibiotic regimen is completed.
This is how sore throat is treated
Sore throat caused by bacteria can be treated with antibiotics. If the sore throat is caused by a virus, antibiotics do not help. Then the sore throat may go away on its own. It usually takes between one to two weeks.
During that time, it is important to rest.
There are several ways to relieve the discomfort. These include:
To take over-the-counter and painkillers. They should contain paracetamol (Alvedon, Panodil) or ibuprofen (Ibumetin and Ipren). Those who are pregnant should use paracetamol instead of ibuprofen.
Drinking cold or hot drinks It usually feels soothing in the throat.
Eating ice cream or yogurt. It also tends to relieve sore throat. Try to eat and drink properly. Sometimes it can be difficult when you are in pain. Then common painkillers such as paracetamol (alvedon) and ibuprofen (Ipren) are a good help.
One should also not forget that, in rare cases, it can become a more serious infection. If you do not get better despite treatment, you should see a family doctor again, says David Landin.
Home remedy for sore throat
There is little scientific evidence that home remedies can cure sore throat. However, it may be worth trying to alleviate the discomfort.
For example:
Drinking tea with honey, lemon, ginger and garlic. That mixture is said to have healing and soothing powers.
Gargle water with salt in – an old housewife trick against sore throat.
Then you should seek care
You feel very bad.
You have major problems swallowing saliva.
The fever does not go down in two days.
You have trouble gaping.
You suspect sore throat – symptoms include severe pain in the throat and difficulty swallowing and gaping.
The tonsils can be removed
Anyone who has frequent relapses of a sore throat – three to five times in one or two years – can have the tonsils removed. It is usually in the tonsils that the infection settles.
The body does well without tonsils. This is because there is a lot of other lymph tissue in the throat that can protect and help the immune system. Sore throat without tonsils is very uncommon.
However, removing the tonsils does not completely protect against throat infections. The streptococcal bacteria can strike anyway.
Sequelae of strep throat
It is unusual with sequelae after a sore throat. However, some suffer from sore throat, sinusitis or purulent ear infection. It’s about two people out of 100.
Glandular fever can be confused with a sore throat
A disease that can be confused with a sore throat is glandular fever. It is a viral disease that settles in the throat and has similar symptoms as strep throat. It can also affect the liver and spleen.
