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When To Worry About A Sore Throat
Having a sore throat can be uncomfortable, or worse. In many cases, sore throats are caused by viral infections but an expert at Baylor College of Medicine says that although this may be the most common cause; multiple health conditions may play a role in having an itchy, irritated and painful throat.
"The most common reason for someone to develop a sore throat would be a virus, and this is often accompanied by a runny nose, cough or malaise," said Dr. Julina Ongkasuwan, assistant professor of otolaryngology at Baylor.
A severe sore throat may be an indication of possible strep throat, a bacterial infection. Individuals who develop strep throat often have high fevers or pus on the tonsils; however, Ongkasuwan said many other viral infections may be associated with high fevers so she recommends visiting your doctor for a throat swab.
"For most people experiencing a sore throat, I generally recommend rest and hydration. If you are highly concerned then you should get a strep swab, and you really shouldn't take antibiotics unless the strep swab is positive," she said.
Those who experience strep throat multiple times a year may be a candidate for tonsillectomy. "According to the Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, if an individual has documented strep throat seven times in one year, five times per year for two consecutive years, or three times per year for three consecutive years, they can consider having their tonsils removed," Ongkasuwan said.
Other health conditions that can cause sore throat are reflux, tonsil stones, muscle tension, and mononucleosis, also known as mono. Acid reflux can cause heartburn and if the acid reaches the throat it can also lead to throat discomfort. Tonsil stones refer to food debris that get stuck in the tonsils resulting in inflammation and irritation.
For throat pain that persists beyond three weeks and is accompanied by difficulty swallowing or weight loss, Ongkasuwan recommends visiting a doctor to rule out any severe health conditions.
There are ways to sooth a sore throat without having to take antibiotics, such as non-caffeinated warm tea or hot water with honey.
"Sore throats are very common. While viral infections are the most common cause, severe or persistent pain may be indicative of a more serious problem. If your throat pain lasts longer than 3 weeks or if you are concerned, visit your local doctor."
What Causes A Metallic Taste When Coughing?
Your cough can taste bad for many reasons. When a metallic taste is paired with coughing, you may have an upper respiratory infection like a cold. This can cause your phlegm to contain traces of blood.
Repeatedly coughing up phlegm often brings small amounts of blood into the mouth and onto the taste buds, leading to a distinct metallic taste in your mouth.
While this symptom often indicates that you're experiencing a common cold, there are other possible causes to consider.
A metallic taste when coughing can be alarming, but it doesn't always signal a medical emergency.
Upper respiratory infection
It often comes with congestion and a nagging cough. The phlegm, mucus, and discharge from the infection can have a metallic taste that enters your mouth when you cough.
Another upper respiratory infection that can cause a metallic taste when coughing is a sinus infection.
Other upper respiratory infections, such as sore throat and strep throat, aren't usually associated with a cough, so they don't normally cause a metallic taste.
Exercise-induced pulmonary edema
Red blood cells in the fluid can enter into the lungs. When these are coughed up into the mouth, they bring with them a metallic taste.
Asthma or trouble breathing due to exercise
For people with trouble breathing due to asthma, or anyone new to intense exercise, a metallic taste along with wheezing or coughing can sometimes occur when breathing becomes difficult.
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe and intense reaction to an allergen. It can occur either immediately or shortly after contact with an allergen. The affected person goes into shock as their immune system struggles to fight it off.
These kinds of allergic reactions can sometimes be prefaced with a metallic taste in the mouth as the airways begin to restrict, causing wheezing and coughing.
A common cold will often run its course in a few days, but there are a few key warning signs you should keep in mind. See a doctor if, along with a metallic taste in your mouth, you have the symptoms below:
Long-lasting or high fever
A low-grade fever is a common symptom of an upper respiratory infection, but you should go to the doctor or hospital immediately if your fever spikes to 103°F (39.4°C) or higher.
Additionally, seek medical attention if a fever lasts more than 5 days.
Coughing up blood
A small amount of blood in the phlegm or mucus you cough up during a cold is normal.
A little bit of blood in your phlegm will make the phlegm look red or pink, and it usually means that the frequent coughing has irritated your respiratory tract. As an upper respiratory infection progresses, your phlegm may become more yellow or green.
Coughing up large, visible amounts of blood, however, could be a sign of a serious condition, such as:
Wheezing or trouble breathing
If your cough is so severe that you have trouble breathing, seek immediate medical attention. Difficulty breathing could be a sign that your airways are narrowing due to a serious medical condition such as:
If your cough with a metallic taste is caused by a common cold, there are few treatment options. The virus needs to run its course.
Anaphylaxis is an emergency symptom. Anyone who experiences coughing as a result of anaphylaxis should be taken to an emergency room, or someone should call 911 or their local emergency services on their behalf.
However, until the emergency medical assistance is available, auto-injectors (such as the EpiPen) can be used to administer a lifesaving dose of epinephrine. Epinephrine shouldn't be administered to people who don't have a prescription for it.
The Best Medicine For Sore Throat Relief, According To Doctors
All the medicine for a sore throat included in our guide was reviewed by our physicians who regularly treat cold and flu symptoms. What's more, I tested them all myself for their throat-coating and -numbing abilities as well as for their taste.
Our experts say it's important to look for ingredients that have a soothing and numbing effect. This includes benzocaine, phenol, and menthol for over-the-counter medicine. But keep in mind that there is a slight risk of toxicity from swallowing phenol, so you need to spit out the spray or mouthwash. And while it is kid-safe, check with your pediatrician before use with younger children.
If you're looking for natural remedies for a sore throat, honey is your go-to for soothing the rawness that comes with coughing or strep, according to Keller. But make sure you read the ingredient label: Corn syrup and preservatives may be on the inactive ingredient list, and though they are safe, some may prefer to avoid them.
If you're looking for medicine for sore throat and cough that can be used by the whole family, Dr. Domingo recommends checking the recommended age of the medicine on the box. Some all-natural ingredients like honey shouldn't be given to very young children (under 1), and you should look closely at the ingredient list for potential allergens and sugar additives. Any children's products should be discussed with your pediatrician, including all-natural ones.
It's totally fine to opt for generic brands, which will provide the same relief as long as they also contain one of the active ingredients above.
If you are experiencing other cold symptoms, cold medicine may help soothe a sore throat, especially if they contain acetaminophen (like Tylenol Cold and Sinus). However, many contain dextromethorphan, which can make you sleepy.
And if you are taking cold medicine but want further pain relief for your throat, be sure to check whether the two medicines are safe to take together. Generally, throat sprays and cough drops have no known interactions with other medicines, but our top cough drop pick, Cepacol, shouldn't be taken alongside acetaminophen (though is fine to take with ibuprofen).
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