What is a sore throat anyway?
Sore throat describes a feeling of pain and burning (burning throat) or irritation in the throat. Often, these nagging sensations worsen when swallowing. Most often, the source of a sore throat is viral, but sometimes the source can be bacterial, for example streptococcus A, which, unlike the corona virus, does not travel through the air but through saliva and without appropriate treatment may develop and migrate to more significant places in the body, such as heart valves and joints.
What types of sore throat are there?
There are two main types:
- viral infections – Similar to a cold or the flu accompanied by muscle aches, a runny nose and fever, viral sore throats are caused by a viral source, and usually disappear on their own within a few days and only require supportive treatment to relieve symptoms, such as age-appropriate sprays.
- Bacterial infections – The most well-known is the streptococcus A bacteria. The symptoms are similar to sore throats resulting from a viral origin, except that it is a more prolonged illness, which is often accompanied by headaches, stomach pains and swelling in the neck. An infection caused by the streptococcus bacteria is usually treated with antibiotics.
Why are sore throats more common in winter?
Streptococcus and viral sore throats also exist in the summer season, but during the transition seasons nature outside blooms, and people suffer from allergies accompanied by a runny nose. In addition, people are also in closed spaces and infection rates are high.
How are sore throats diagnosed?
As mentioned, in most cases it is a viral source. In cases where bacterial (streptococcal) tonsillitis is suspected, it is recommended to perform a throat swab. The doctor takes a culture from deep in the pharynx and the sample is sent to the laboratory to check for bacterial findings, which returns after 24-48 hours. It is recommended to use at the same time a home test kit, which can be found in pharmacies, which allows results in a few minutes, but is less comprehensive than a throat culture.
What are the leading treatments for sore throats??
When it comes to a sore throat of viral origin, it should go away on its own within a few days. The main treatment is rest and drinking a lot, in order to prevent dehydration. Similar to the medical recommendations after surgery to remove tonsils, even in case of sore throat cold foods (such as ice cream or ice cream) have a numbing effect, which temporarily reduces the pain of swallowing. It is recommended to avoid spicy or rough-textured foods and prefer lukewarm foods, soups and soft foods over them.
The treatment required in the case of sore throats of bacterial origin is the administration of antibiotics for a week to ten days. Pain relief products can be used at the same time.
What helps in case of severe sore throat?
A viral disease usually causes a low-intensity sore throat. If it is a case of severe throat pain to the point of difficulty in sipping a drink or swallowing saliva, it is important to seek medical attention. If it is a viral cause, it is recommended to use sprays for the throat, which help stop the development of the infection in the throat, clean the pharyngeal area and help reduce the pain.
Is the treatment different when it comes to children?
When it comes to sore throats of bacterial origin, you should consult a doctor and usually the treatment will be by giving antibiotics in syrup. One of the complementary treatments for relieving sore throats in children is the use of a spray 3-4 times a day that helps in the treatment of sore throats, which is suitable for children aged three and older In addition, you can use soft pacifiers, which reduce throat pain. These are approved for use only from the age of six and older, for fear of the risk of suffocation.
What about granny meds??
Almost every home in Israel has old-fashioned remedies for every disease, and sore throats are no exception. It is not a substitute for medical treatment, certainly when it comes to sore throats of the type that require antibiotic treatment or continued consultation with a doctor, but the symptoms can certainly be alleviated and, of course, don’t forget to ventilate the house and maintain a hygienic environment. Here are some favorite (and effective) grandma remedies:
- salt water – One of the oldest remedies is to simply gargle hot water with salt. It disinfects the throat and brings relief from the pain.
- chamomile – The chamomile plant is rich in antioxidants and is considered anti-inflammatory. It is recommended to use it immediately with the first tingling in the throat. Drinking dried chamomile flowers brewed in boiling water soothes a sore throat.
- honey – Honey has distinct antibacterial properties. Soak chopped onion with honey for about half an hour and swallow a teaspoon of the mixture every two hours. Those for whom the smell (and taste) of chopped onions are more annoying than the symptoms, can be satisfied with cinnamon powder mixed in a glass of boiling water with a little honey. Honey has a soothing effect on sore throats, since it is thick and produces an insulating layer, which reduces the pain.
- lemon – This yellow and sour fruit, which is usually used for seasoning and as an addition to dishes, has a perfect combination of vitamin C, antibacterial properties and antiviral substances. Its use strengthens the immune system and produces an acidic environment in the throat, which helps keep viruses and bacteria away.
In conclusion, the most important tip – sore throats may be significantly less if the treatment starts as early as possible, immediately with the first tingling in the throat. In 90 percent of cases, it is a sore throat on a viral basis and the recommended remedies are rest, drinking plenty of water, an age-adjusted throat spray and soft or cold foods. Have a healthy, warm and pleasant winter