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Understanding Sore Throats: Expert Insights On Chronic Symptoms, Causes, And Care
A sore throat is a condition causing pain, scratchiness, or irritation in the throat. It is a common condition and usually resolves on its own. While most sore throats are acute and resolve within a few days, some people may experience chronic sore throats, which require closer attention and management. We spoke to our expert Dr Suchir Maitra, Consultant ENT, Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata, who explained sore throat and when it is considered chronic.
When Is A Sore Throat Considered Chronic?"A sore throat is a condition where a person experiences pain in their throat, usually while swallowing. If this pain persists for more than three months, it is considered a chronic sore throat", said Dr Maitra.
According to the Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, chronic sore throat, also known as 'chronic pharyngitis' among ear, nose, and throat specialists, represents a challenging medical condition that frequently resists various treatment approaches. Around 30% of individuals with chronic pharyngitis exhibit no discernible underlying cause.
According to a 2021 study, when considering differential diagnosis, factors such as physicochemical influences (post-intubation complications, smoking, snoring, medications, reflux), vocal strain, concurrent medical conditions, and adverse drug reactions should be taken into account.
Also Read: Silent Symptoms Of Throat Cancer: Expert Lists Signs Of Throat Cancer For Early Detection
Causes Of Sore Throat"Sore throat is a secondary phenomenon. The most common cause of a sore throat is a viral infection and occasionally a bacterial infection. There can be other causes like acid reflux, allergy and fungal infections", said Dr Maitra. According to a 2019 study, a chronic sore throat may occasionally indicate throat cancer.
Symptoms Of A Sore ThroatDr Maitra highlighted, "A sore throat is usually characterised by pain while swallowing. Someone experiencing an acute sore throat may also experience fever, body aches, and overall fatigue. However, chronic pharyngitis or tonsillitis is generally not accompanied by a high body temperature. In cases where a sore throat is caused by acid reflux, there will be no fever present."
Also Read: Tonsillitis VS Strep Throat: Expert Explains The Difference Between The Two
What Is The Treatment And When Should A Person Visit Doctor?The treatment depends on the diagnosis and the cause of the sore throat.
Dr Maitra said, "Usually, if it is an acute sore throat, with a normal cough and cold, we recommend waiting for 3-4 days. It is advised to go for steam inhalation and salt water gargling. In case of a viral infection, it usually gets cured within 3-4 days."
He added, "If things do not improve in 3-4 days, and the fever persists, then you must visit a specialist at the earliest. Normally, we don't give antibiotics in the first 3-4 days since antibiotics have no role in treating sore throat or viral aetiology. But if the fever or throat pain persists, antibiotics are recommended."
Precautions For Sore ThroatHere are some precautions that you can take to reduce the likelihood of a sore throat, as listed by the expert:
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your expert if you are dealing with any health issues to get the necessary treatment.]
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How Do You Know If You Have Strep Throat?
Lots of things can cause a sore throat. One cause, especially in children and teens, is the bacteria that creates strep throat. Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus) is the formal name of the bacterium.
Viruses can cause a sore throat, too. They include:
Other things that might cause your sore throat include:
When you have strep, you'll usually find that your throat is raw and it hurts to swallow. Your sore throat, if it's caused by strep, will come on very fast, not gradually like many other kinds of sore throats. While the infection is more common in kids than adults, adults who spend a lot of time with kids, like parents and teachers, are at risk, too.
Strep throat symptoms in adults
Symptoms that are common in people of any age, including adults, include:
Strep throat symptoms in kids
Strep throat is most common among children between ages 5 and 15. If your child has strep throat, they might have added symptoms, such as:
Strep throat with a rash
You might also see a red, sandpaper-like rash that starts in the face and neck area and then spreads to the rest of the body. This could be a sign of scarlet fever , a reaction to a strep infection that can, in rare cases, lead to serious complications. You should call your doctor if you see this rash.
A sore throat from strep can hurt quite a bit and cause symptoms like headaches and fever.(Photo credit: E+/Getty Images)
What does step throat feel like?
Strep throat can hurt more than other kinds of sore throat. It can especially hurt to swallow. You might notice the lymph nodes in your neck are swollen and tender to the touch. If you have a rash, it might feel like sandpaper.
Some people have mild symptoms, but others feel pretty sick, with fevers, chills, poor appetite, and other signs of infection.
How long does strep throat take to show symptoms?
You are most likely to show symptoms 2 to 5 days after getting infected. You can spread the infection to others during this time, before you show any symptoms.
It's easy to confuse it with other conditions, including viral infections and allergies, so it helps to know that it usually doesn't come with:
If you have any combination of those symptoms, you probably have a virus or allergy. Also, while you might feel a cold coming on for several days, strep symptoms usually start suddenly. If you have allergy symptoms or a mild cold, you probably feel like you can go on with your day. With strep, you often feel too tired, feverish, and sick for your usual activities.
Another clue: If your child is under age 3, their illness is unlikely to be strep.
Most sore throats aren't strep.The cause is something else about 70% of the time in children and 85% to 95% of the time in adults.
If you suspect strep or you're not sure, your doctor can do a simple swab test to see if there are strep bacteria in your throat. It's important to find out, because if you leave it untreated, strep throat can lead to more serious complications in some cases.
The bacteria that cause strep are quite contagious. That means they spread easily from person to person, especially in the same household. The bacteria also can spread in crowded settings, like daycare centers, schools, jails, shelters, and military barracks.
When someone has strep, they have the bacteria in their nose and throat. When they talk, cough, or sneeze, they send droplets containing the bacteria into the air. The droplets can settle on nearby surfaces as well. Other people can get infected when they:
Breathe in the droplets
Touch something the droplets landed on, then touch their noses or eyes
Share personal items, like drinking glasses
Since strep bacteria can also cause skin infections, it's also possible to get strep throat by touching an infected person's skin sores.
You can protect yourself when someone you live with has strep by frequently washing your hands and not sharing unwashed dishes or utensils. Children shouldn't share toys when one of them has strep.
What time of year is strep throat most common?
You can get strep throat at any time of year, but it's most common in the winter and spring. One reason may be that so many children and teens are inside together in big groups during those months.
Why is strep more common in children?
Like other common infections, strep throat is likely more common in children for several reasons. These might include:
Immune systems that aren't as good at fighting off infections
Immature airways that are more susceptible to infection
Spending time in crowded settings like daycares and schools--and having siblings who do, too
Putting their hands in their mouths more often
Why do I keep getting strep throat?
If you or your child get strep repeatedly, you're not alone. Some people are prone to repeat infections. One reason may be that they are frequently around someone who is a strep carrier -- someone who has the bacteria but doesn't necessarily have symptoms. Or they could be a strep carrier themselves, with symptoms from time to time. Sometimes it's hard to tell if the symptoms are really from the bacteria or something else if you are a carrier.
Some strep infections return if you don't finish the antibiotics you get to treat them.
Other possible factors could be genetic and immune system differences that make some people more susceptible to strep infections.
If you think you or your child has strep throat, you should always see a doctor. Unlike colds and flus, strep throat can be treated with antibiotics. Left untreated, the bacteria that cause strep throat can spread to other parts of your body, causing complications such as ear and sinus infections and pockets of pus around your tonsils. One of the most serious potential complications is rheumatic fever, an immune system reaction that can damage your heart valves.
Antibiotics can prevent such complications. But you need a test to confirm the diagnosis and get a prescription.
After swabbing your throat, the doctor can do quick test in the office. If the quick test is positive, you have strep. If it's negative, you might or might not have strep. A lab test that comes back in a couple of days can give you a definite answer in that case.
If you have strep, you'll need to take all the antibiotics you are prescribed to clear up the infection and prevent complications. Stay home from work or school until you no longer have a fever and have taken antibiotics for at least 12-24 hours.
What if I develop a fever after three days of antibiotics?
If you are not getting better or develop a fever or symptoms after a couple of days on antibiotics, call the doctor.
If you or your child have trouble breathing, are extremely weak, or have purple or blood-colored spots with a fever, call 911. You should also seek immediate care if someone has trouble swallowing, has a very high fever, or signs of dehydration, like dark urine and a very dry mouth.
A sudden, painful, sore throat could be strep, especially if you don't have signs of a cold, flu, or allergy, like coughing or a runny nose. Strep is especially common in kids between ages 5 and 15. If you suspect strep, see a doctor. Antibiotic treatment can help you feel better, prevent complications, and get you back to work or school quickly.
Would strep throat go away on its own?
Untreated strep might go away after a week or so. But in some cases it could linger, causing complications and infecting other people.
How can I get rid of strep throat fast?
The fastest way to get rid of strep and feel better is to take antibiotics.
Can I get rid of step throat overnight?
Antibiotics don't work quite that fast. But you should feel better in a day or two.
How long is strep contagious?
People taking antibiotics are less contagious after a day or two. Someone with untreated strep can infect others for 2 or 3 weeks.
Can you prevent strep throat when you feel it coming?
You can't prevent strep once you have symptoms. But you can do things to feel better. That includes gargling with salt water, taking pain relievers, resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating soft foods. To prevent the infection from spreading to others, you should wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze, and avoid sharing your personal items.
Cancer Missed By Twelve Doctors
by NEIL SEARS, Daily Mail
A father whose cancer went undiagnosed despite consultations with 12 doctors has died.
Steven Harley faced a desperate race against time after his throat cancer was finally spotted.
Over eight months doctors had carried out 22 fruitless medical examinations as he complained of a persistent sore throat and pain in his head.
By the time they finally discovered the cancer it had spread to cover the width of his tongue.
Chemotherapy failed to halt the disease, and last September surgeons had to remove his tongue, voice box and part of his jaw and mouth.
Specialists said it was the only way to beat the cancer.
Mr Harley, 42, who ran a land surveying business, had to use a laptop computer to communicate.
He clung to the doctors' belief that such radical surgery was the only way to beat the disease.
In November last year he told reporters via his computer: 'We find it hard to believe I am in the clear - it will be a few years before I can accept it.'
But the cancer returned and Mr Harley died on Saturday evening, surrounded by his family, at the Royal Hallamshire hospital in Sheffield.
His widow Adele, 36, has no doubt he would have survived longer if his disease had been spotted earlier.
'I am convinced that had his cancer been detected earlier, my husband would still be here,' she said from the family home in Barnsley, where she was comforting their sons, Lewis, 13,
Patrick, eight, and two-year-old Tom. 'He might not have been permanently cured, but he might have been given an extra five or ten years of life. It would have given him a better chance.
'My reaction now is one of numbness. I have got to keep going for the sake of the children.'
Mr Harley's tragic case came to symbolise the crisis facing the National Health Service. Barnsley Central MP Eric Illsley raised his case in the House of Commons.
Mr Harley, a non-smoker, first complained of head pain and a sore throat in July, 1999. He saw four GPs ten times, five doctors at
Barnsley District Hospital's casualty department on five occasions and visited three specialists seven times.
He was repeatedly told he was suffering from stress. On New Year's Eve, 1999, he was told by a casualty department registrar at Barnsley District Hospital to 'go home and get a life'.
It was only on his 23rd visit, to a fourth specialist at Methley Park Hospital, near Leeds that he was correctly diagnosed in March last year.
The specialist found a large tumour which by then was so well developed that chemotherapy was started straight away.
When that did not work, the 11-hour operation to cut out the tumour took place.
Surgeons had to replace the floor of his mouth by moving up a pectoral muscle from his body.
Although his face was disfigured, Mr Harley was delighted to be pain free at last. Before his operation, he said: 'The general impression I came away with from all the examinations is that the medics thought I was suffering from stress.
'I went to see specialists privately because of the long waiting list on the NHS. I was told it would take six months to see a neurologist. Yet in the end I was no better off.'
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