Sore Throat Causes
- Sore throat is one of the many symptoms associated with an array of viruses. Some of the common viruses that are associated with a sore throat are the common cold, influenza, coxsackievirus and infectious mononucleosis (mono)--also known as the "kissing disease," because it can be spread through saliva exchange. According to the University of Michigan Health System, viral infections are best treated by providing the affected individual with pain relief--as antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections. Patients often are advised to treat the pain of a viral sore throat with non prescription pain medicine and warm salt water. A viral sore throat generally lasts from 1 to 2 weeks, but the term of infections are often longer in the cases of mono infections.
- Common bacterial causes of sore throat are epiglottis, tonsillitis and strep throat. Epiglottis, the most dangerous of bacterial sore throat causes, attacks the larynx (voice box) and makes swallowing extremely difficult. Tonsils gather infectious diseases to create immunities to them, but when they fail to create a build a defense to them, tonsillitis often occurs--creating painful throat conditions and often leading to the removal of the tonsils. Caused by a strain of the streptococcus bacteria, strep throat can advance to more serious complications and infections like rheumatic fever, scarlet fever and kidney complications.
Unlike viral infections, bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. But not all bacterial sore throats infections are automatically treated by medical professionals with antibiotics because, according to the Mayo Clinics, "the overuse of antibiotics has led to an alarming increase in antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria." Furthermore, the majority of sore throats cases aren't bacterial--in which case, antibiotics would be useless. - Other causes of a sore throat include: allergies, air quality, muscle strain, GERD, HIV and tumors. Reactions to allergens can create puffy eyes, a runny nose and a sore throat. Air quality, like extremely dry air from heat or pollutants and smoke in the air, can irritate and inflame the throat. Overuse of throat muscles can also create a strain on the throat and cause soreness--while stomach acid caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can irritate the throat's lining as well. The Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can lead to other infections that can cause throat discomfort, while throat tumors from smoking and alcohol abuse can add stress to the areas in or around the throat--creating soreness and discomfort.