Sore Throat
by Roland Larrabee, M.D.
Sore throats can be caused by many things. Viruses and bacteria can cause a sore throat, and so can smoking, breathing dirty air, drinking alcohol, and hay fever and other allergies.
Tonsillitis (tawn-sill-EYE-tuss) is when your tonsils (at the back of your mouth on each side of your throat) get swollen. This can cause a sore throat. Strep throat and tonsillitis can feel the same. Tonsillitis is sometimes caused by bacteria, but usually a virus is the cause.
Most people who have tonsillitis don't need to have surgery. You might need surgery if you get very bad tonsillitis frequently or if your tonsils are too large and cause problems with your breathing. Your doctor can tell you if you need surgery.
Strep throat is caused by a certain kind of bacteria. Strep throat can feel like sore throats caused by other bacteria or by viruses. If strep throat is not treated, it can lead to heart problems.
Mononucleosis (mono) is an infection caused by a virus. Mono can cause a sore throat that lasts for up to four weeks. It also can cause fever and chills, headache, feeling tired, and swollen glands in your neck, armpits, and groin.
Your doctor may do a rapid strep test, a throat culture, or both. A rapid strep test will give results within about 15 minutes. A throat culture takes about 24 hours, but it is more accurate than the rapid strep test. If your doctor thinks you may have mono, he or she will probably do a blood test.
If your sore throat is caused by bacteria, your doctor will probably give you an antibiotic. Antibiotics do not work against viruses. Sore throats caused by viruses usually just have to run their course. Most sore throats caused by a cold virus go away in less than 10 days.
If you have mono, your doctor will probably tell you to get plenty of rest and not to exercise too hard. You can take acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Motrin®), or naproxen (Aleve®) for the headache and other aches.
To ease the pain of a sore throat:
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Take an over-the-counter pain (OTC) pain medicine or analgesic throat spray
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Gargle with warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt stirred into a glass of water).
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Suck on throat lozenges or hard candy.
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Suck on flavored frozen desserts (such as ice pops or ice cream), crushed ice, or cool non-citrus foods (Jello).
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Use a cool-mist vaporizer in your bedroom or other rooms you spend a lot of time in.
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Drink plenty of liquids
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If severe, your physician may prescribe prescription medication for the pain (Viscous Xylocaine or Magic Mouthwash)
Dr. Larrabee is Medical Director of Family and Community Medicine at the Walter L. Aument Family Health Center, 317 S. Chestnut St., Quarryville.