Causes & Treatments of Sore Throats

During Fall in San Antonio, we may not see a significant change in the weather but that doesn’t stop us from having a reason to visit an urgent care. Sore throats are common no matter where you live. Although they are not a serious risk to your overall health, you should not ignore them. Sore throats are often a symptom of another larger issue.

COLDS

The common cold often begins with a sore throat. Other symptoms include runny nose, congestion, and cough. The cold lasts a few days. If it persists for over a week, there may be a bacterial infection. You will need to visit an urgent care to get antibiotics.

FLU

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. It happens most often in the winter and early spring. The flu and colds do share some common symptoms. However, flu symptoms also include high fever, body aches, fatigue, and weakness. Flus can also become life threatening if they develop conditions like pneumonia. If you have early symptoms of the flu or suspect you may have the flu, it’s important to get to an urgent care immediately. Antiviral medications are available but you need to take them soon after becoming sick to see an affect.

ALLERGIES

Allergies impact everyone slightly differently. Sore throats are not uncommon. Normally, the glands in your nose and throat produce mucus to keep your upper respiratory tract moist. This mucus protects you from infection. When everything is functioning normally, you swallow this fluid without a thought. However, when your body encounters an allergen, it produces far too much mucus. These excessive excretions can cause a runny nose. However, in other cases, the extra mucus will drain down the throat. This is called postnasal drip. Tickling, coughing and soreness are all symptoms of postnasal drips.

MONONUCLEOSIS

Mononucleosis, also known as mono, is a usually minor illness caused by a virus. The incubation period is four to six weeks. Symptoms include:

·         Fatigue

·         Sore throat that does not respond to antibiotics

·         Fever

·         Swollen lymph nodes

·         Swollen tonsils

·         Headache

·         Skin rash

·         Swollen spleen

Fever and sore throat tend to improve after a couple weeks. However, other symptoms, like fatigue and enlarged lymph nodes, may take longer.

SMOKING

Smoking tobacco causes a long list of problems over time. Some of the symptoms can include:

·         Shortness of breath

·         Chest pain

·         Difficulty swallowing

·         Persistent hoarseness

·         Bloody urination

·         Persistent cough

·         Coughing up blood

·         Difficulty speaking

·         Sudden weakness in one side of the body or face

·         Persistent abdominal pain

·         Unexplained weight loss

·         Frequent colds

·         Frequent upper respiratory infections

STREP THROAT

Strep is short for streptococcus. It is a bacterium that comes in two types: A and B. Group A causes sore throats, scarlet fever, impetigo, toxic shock syndrome, cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis. Group B causes blood infections, pneumonia, and meningitis in newborn children. Adults, especially the elderly, can also get Group B infections. Strep B causes urinary tract infections, blood infections, skin infections, and pneumonia.

TONSILLITIS

Tonsillitis is an infection in the tonsils. It can be caused by a virus or a bacterial infection. Symptoms include:

·         Sore throat

·         Difficulty swallowing

·         Bad breath

·         Earaches

·         Stomachache

·         Stiff neck

·         Jaw and neck tenderness

·         Swollen tonsils

·         White or yellow spots on the tonsils

If you have a fever over 103F or a sore throat that doesn’t go away after two days, then you need to go to an urgent care for help. Depending on how serious your conditions is, you may need antibiotics or surgery. Removing the tonsils is called a tonsillectomy.