Sore throat ; How to treat it?
7min ReadWe all have experienced sore throats and are familiar with it. Sore throat is one of the most common diseases and increases especially in autumn and winter.
Sore throat occurs as a result of inflammation of the throat. This type of sore throat inflammation can cause mild or severe discomfort in the patient. This discomfort increases especially when swallowing. Sore throat is usually the first sign that you have a cold or flu.
Different types of sore throat
- Sore throat (pharyngitis) from a cold or the flu
- Strep throat (streptococcal infection): It is an infection due to streptococcus bacteria. It is transmitted through the saliva or nasal secretions of another person. It is more common in children aged 5 to 15 years, but it is still possible in adults.
- A sore throat caused by tonsillitis: It occurs with the inflammation of the tonsils. Tonsillitis is caused by a virus or bacterial attack, and since the tonsils’ task is to fight the infection, they themselves are involved with the infection and, as a result, develop inflammation.
Symptoms
Sore throat (pharyngitis) from a cold or the flu
This type of sore throat can be caused by a virus or bacteria. The most common cause is viruses.
Viral sore throat is usually easily recognizable because it is associated with other symptoms of the common cold. These symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Redness and inflammation of the eyes
- Fever
- Mild body aches
- Mild headache
Strep throat (streptococcal infection)
- Swollen neck lymph nodes
- Swollen, red tonsils with white patches
- Fever
- Sudden sore throat
- Loss of appetite
- Painful swallowing
A sore throat caused by tonsillitis
- White or yellow patches on the tonsils
- Bad breath
- Fever
- A hoarse or muffled voice
- Painful swallowing
- Swollen neck lymph nodes
Diagnosis
Sore throat (pharyngitis) from a cold or the flu
As mentioned earlier, this type of sore throat, along with other symptoms of the common cold, is easier to identify.
Strep throat (streptococcal infection)
Symptoms of this type of sore throat can be very similar to the cold/flu sore throat. Therefore, if you have a severe sore throat, be sure to see your doctor. So that he or she can determine the type of sore throat and suggest a suitable treatment.
A test to diagnose strep throat will be painless. The test is performed by a swab with a cotton tip. With this swab, your tonsils will be tested and the response will be prompt.
If the test is positive, then it means your sore throat is streptococcal.
Your doctor may send the test result to the lab for further investigations of the bacterial strain. In that case, you will have to wait a few days for the test result to be determined.
But if the test is negative, it means that your throat is not infected.
A sore throat caused by tonsillitis
What distinguishes this type of sore throat from a cold/flu sore throat is that it does not have the common symptoms of cold and instead of white or yellow spots appear on the tonsils.
Treatment
Sore throat (pharyngitis) from a cold or the flu
Although there is no definitive cure for this type of sore throat, some tips can be given to ease the pain. These include:
- Drinking plenty of warm liquids
- Gargling brine (with lukewarm water)
- Using painkillers or drugs that relieve inflammation of the throat and fevers prescribed by your doctor
- Getting enough rest
- Consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables
Note that antibiotics should not be used to treat viral sore throats. These drugs only affect the bacteria and will not affect the viral cold.
Home remedies for the treatment of sore throats caused by a cold or the flu
Lemon
Hot lemonade with honey is very effective in relieving cold/flu sore throats. To make this drink, all you need is:
- Some fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- A cup of warm water
Mix and drink together.
You can also slice a lemon, add some salt and pepper, and lick the lemon.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar, due to its antibacterial properties, is a good option for treating sore throat. You just need one:
- tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- teaspoon lemon juice
- teaspoon of honey
- cup of warm water
Mix together and consume 2 to 3 times a day.
You can also
- A teaspoon salt
- One tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup of warm water
Mix together and gargle. This will help your sore throat to get better faster.
Cinnamon
One of the best options for treating sore throats caused by the cold/flu is cinnamon. You can use cinnamon by:
Method 1
- A teaspoon cinnamon powder
- One teaspoon pepper powder
- 1 glass of warm water
- If you like, add cardamom
Mix together. Press on it to smooth it out. Then gargle it 2 to 3 times a day.
Method 2
- A few drops of cinnamon oil
- 1 teaspoon of honey
Mix together and eat 2 times a day. This will get rid of the pain and inflammation of the throat.
Garlic
Garlic, due to its antibacterial and antiseptic properties, can be effective in the treatment and prevention of sore throat. You can either eat it raw with food or use garlic oil. Add a few drops of garlic oil to a quarter cup of water and gargle once a day.
Natural honey
Honey has antibacterial properties and can fight infection and speed up recovery. Honey also reduces swelling, which in turn improves the pain of sore throat. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey to a cup of warm water and drink several times a day. You can also take some honey with your tea. In addition to relieving this problem, eating a tablespoon of honey can help you get a comfortable sleep.
Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the best treatments for cold/flu sore throats. It can be very effective because of its disinfectant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Just mix a quarter teaspoon of turmeric with a glass of warm water. Drink it in the morning for three to four consecutive days.
You can also mix:
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- One teaspoon black pepper powder
- A cup of warm milk
Mix and drink at night before bed.
Another way is to use turmeric is to gargle it. All you need is:
- Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder
- Half a teaspoon of salt
- 1 glass of warm water
Mix together and gargle twice a day.
Herbal tea with marigold root
Mix a tablespoon of dried marigold root with a cup of boiling water, put the lid on and let it stay for 30 minutes. Then add some honey and drink 2-3 cups of it daily.
Ginger
Due to its anti-cough, anti-sputum, and anti-inflammatory properties, ginger can soften the throat mucosa and relieve sore throat.
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- Some fresh lemon juice
- Half a cup of hot water
Mix together and stir well. Drinking this mixture can be very effective in relieving this problem.
Tomato Juice
Tomatoes are high in antioxidants, which can help relieve sore throat.
- Half a cup of tomato juice
- 10 drops of spicy pepper sauce
- Half a cup of hot water
Mix and stir well. Then gargle it in your throat.
Sage Herbal Tea
Pour 1 teaspoon of sage leaf in a cup of boiling water and steep the tea for 10 minutes. Then strain the tea leaves, adding 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Gargling this tea four times a day can be very effective in improving its symptoms.
Strep throat (streptococcal infection)
Treating strep throat is very important because, if left untreated, it can lead to more serious problems such as rheumatic fever (a disease resulting in damaged heart valves).
But with proper treatment, usually within 10 days the symptoms will disappear.
Your doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics to treat strep throat. Note that antibiotics must be administered in accordance with the dose prescribed by your physician. Take medication for as long as your doctor has advised, keep going because until the course of treatment is complete, the disease may return again.
Symptoms usually improve within 48 hours of taking the medication. However, it is advisable not to leave the house for 24 hours and rest.
If you see any of the following symptoms, be sure to see your doctor:
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Skin rash
- Shortness of breath
- Joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Coughing
- Dark urine
- Cramps or stiff neck
- Chest pain
- Headache
- Earache
Sore throat caused by tonsillitis
Depending on whether the disease is caused by a virus or a bacterium, your doctor may suggest a suitable treatment. In addition to taking medications, observing some other points can be helpful in the recovery process, including:
- Enough rest
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Eating foods that are easier to swallow, such as soup
- Avoiding spicy food
- Facial steaming
Inflammation of the tonsils may occur over and over and may even cause difficulty in breathing and sleeping. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor as it may require a tonsillectomy.
Summary
We all have experienced sore throats and are familiar with it. It is one of the most common diseases and increases especially in autumn and winter.
It occurs as a result of inflammation of the throat. Sore throat inflammation can cause mild or severe discomfort in the patient. This discomfort increases especially when swallowing. It is usually the first sign that you have a cold or flu. It has many different types, each with its own symptoms and treatment.
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