Throat infection, or sore throat, is irritation, scratchiness and pain in the throat, which often aggravates while swelling. The most occurring and common reason for throat infection is a virus that causes flu and cold. Viral Throat infection, also known as pharyngitis, is the main cause of sore throat. A viral throat infection takes at least three days and resolves on its own.
Besides the Virus, a throat infection also caused by bacteria, known as streptococcal infection. But such bacterial throat infection is less painful and easy to treat with antibiotics.
Health Conditions That Cause Throat Infection
Numerous viral illnesses that cause throat infection are listed below.
- Influenza (Flu)
- Common Cold
- Measles
- Mononucleosis
- Chicken Pox
- Whooping Cough
- Croup
Bacterial illness that causes throat infection is streptococcus pyogenes.
Symptoms of Throat Infection
Symptoms of throat infection will be different if you have a viral or bacterial illness. Otherwise, the common symptoms include scratchy and dry throat, difficult to swallow food, constant pain, the throat glands bloated, red tonsils, deep voice and white patches on the tonsils.
Moreover, medical conditions that can cause throat infection are flu, cough, runny nose, body aches, headache, sneezing, vomiting, and extreme nausea.
Home Remedies to Treat Throat Infection
You cannot treat bacterial throat infection through home remedies, as they require strict anti-biotic treatment. Whereas treating viral throat infection is comparatively possible at home. Some of the effective and easy home remedies are:
- Mix ½ tablespoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water and gargle for at least 5 minutes.
- Consume hot liquids that decrease the gland’s swelling and soothe the throat e.g. tea with one tablespoon honey, garlic and spice tea, warm lemon water.
- Some people have a reverse mechanism, which means an ice-cream or any cold food can treat their throat infection.
- Constant use of mouth-wash is important. The reason being, most viral throat infections occur because of unhygienic conditions in the mouth, which is why a mouth wash will cleanse any virus that can cause further infection in the throat.
Risk Factors
Avoiding throat infection forever is difficult as individuals between three and five years of age are most likely to suffer from a bacterial throat infection. The reason is that they have a weak immune system.
Also, other intoxicants you consume through smoking can cause prolonged throat infection, which can be difficult to treat and might end up in throat cancer.
One in five people is allergic to dust and certain particles in the air. Consequently, inhaling such particles can also cause extreme throat infection, and is only treatable through serious medication.
Throat infections resulting due to viral and bacterial attacks are contagious. Therefore, if you are near the person who has the condition, it will cause you a throat infection too.
When to See the Doctor?
Certain viral throat infections need zero medications and are quite easy to treat at home. However, you should visit a doctor immediately in serious cases. If you have a throat infection that needs checkup, you can get in touch with our NYC Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor today.
Michael C. Burnett, MD
115 East 57th Street Suite 600
New York, NY
212-867-4813
