Sore throat and frequency therapy

Definition:

Sore throat is a common symptom characterised by pain, scratchiness or irritation in the throat. It can be triggered by a variety of causes, including infections, and environmental factors.

Causes:

viral infections: The most common cause of sore throat, including cold viruses, influenza and Epstein-Barr virus (causes glandular fever).
Bacterial infections: Group A streptococcus is the most common bacterial cause, known as streptococcal angina.
Allergies: Reactions to pollen, dust or animal hair can cause a sore throat.
Irritants: Smoking, air pollution and dry air can irritate the throat.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Stomach acid rising into the throat can cause a sore throat.

Symptoms:

- Pain or scratchiness in the throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Redness and swelling in the throat
- Hoarseness or loss of voice
- Swollen lymph nodes in the throat
- Fever and headache (more common with bacterial infections)

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis is based on a physical examination of the throat. A throat swab can be taken to detect a bacterial infection, particularly streptococci.

Treatment:

Viral sore throat: Usually self-limiting, treatment is aimed at relieving the symptoms, e.g. with painkillers, warm drinks and lozenges.
Bacterial sore throat: antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin are prescribed to treat the infection and prevent complications.
General measures: Adequate hydration, rest and avoidance of irritants.

Prevention:

Regular hand washing to prevent the spread of infection.
Avoid close contact with infected persons.
Strengthen the immune system through a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and sufficient sleep.

Worth knowing:

Sore throats are particularly common in the winter months and affect people of all ages.
Untreated streptococcal pharyngitis can lead to complications such as rheumatic fever or inflammation of the kidneys.

Research:

Research into sore throats is focussed on developing faster diagnostic methods, improving the treatment of viral infections and preventing complications of bacterial infections.