A sore throat (pharyngitis) is normally a symptom of a bacterial or viral infection, such as the common cold. It can be caused by bacteria or viral infections.
Symptoms
Swollen tonsils (tonsillitis), enlarged and tender glands in your neck, discomfort when swallowing, a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or over aching muscles or tiredness, a headache, a cough, a runny nose are some of the known symptoms.
Treatment
Sore throats are common, especially in children and teenagers. This is because young people have not built up resistance (immunity) against many of the viruses and bacteria that can cause sore throats.
Most sore throats are not serious and usually pass without the need for medical treatment. Over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, and self-care tips can usually help to relieve the symptoms of a sore throat without the need to see a doctor
Antibiotics are not usually prescribed for a sore throat, unless it is particularly severe or you are considered at risk of a more serious infection.
Duration
In a recent UK study looked at people who book a doctor appointment for a sore throat (probably those with worse symptoms). The results found that in 50% of cases, moderately bad symptoms of a sore throat had settled seven days after the onset of the illness in 80% of cases, moderately bad symptoms of a sore throat had gone after 10 days. So, the treatment of sore throat takes 4 to 10 days.
When to seek medical attention?
You need to seek medical attention if you have a persistent high temperature above 38C (100.4F), which does not go down after taking medication, the symptoms remained the same after a week of treatment. It is necessary to investigate the cause of your temperature because it may be the result of a more serious condition, such as:
epiglottitis – swelling and redness (inflammation) of the epiglottis (the flap of tissue at the back of the throat, underneath the tongue); if left untreated, it can cause breathing difficulties quinsy – an abscess (a painful collection of pus) that develops between the back of the tonsil and the wall of the throat, usually caused by a bout of severe tonsillitis. Blood tests may be carried out if your doctor suspects you have a type of viral infection called glandular fever.
High risk groups
It is important to know that most sore throats can be treated at home; however, people or patients suffering these disease conditions HIV and AIDS, leukaemia, asplenia, aplastic anaemia, chemotherapy, immunosuppressant medicine takers are susceptible to developing serious complications from a sore throat than others, which may need additional treatment.
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