Sore throat

Although anyone can get a sore throat, some factors make you more susceptible. These factors include:

• Age. Children and teens are most likely to develop sore throats. Children are also more likely to have strep throat, the most common bacterial infection associated with a sore throat.
• Tobacco. Smoking and secondhand smoke can irritate the throat. The use of tobacco products also increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat and voice box.
• Allergies. If you have seasonal allergies or ongoing allergic reactions to dust, molds or pet dander, you're more likely to develop a sore throat than are people who don't have allergies.
• Exposure to chemical irritants. Particulate matter in the air from the burning of fossil fuels, as well as common household chemicals, can cause throat irritation.
• Chronic or frequent sinus infections. Chronic or frequent sinus infections increase the risk of sore throat, because drainage from the nose can irritate the throat or spread infection.
• Living or working in close quarters.. Viral and bacterial infections spread easily anywhere people gather — child care centers, classrooms, offices, prisons and military installations.
• Lowered immunity. You're more susceptible to infections in general if your resistance is low. Common causes of lowered immunity include HIV, diabetes, treatment with steroids or chemotherapy drugs, stress, fatigue, and poor diet.

Viral infections

Viral illnesses that cause a sore throat include:

• Common cold
• Flu (influenza)
• Mononucleosis (mono)
• Measles
• Chickenpox
• Croup — a common childhood illness characterized by a harsh, barking cough

Bacterial infections

Bacterial infections that can cause a sore throat include:

• Strep throat, which is caused by a bacterium known as Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A streptococcus
• Whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory tract infection
• Diphtheria, a serious respiratory illness that's rare in industrialized nations but is more common in developing countries

Other causes of sore throat include:

• Allergies. Allergies to pet dander, molds, dust and pollen can cause a sore throat. The problem may be complicated by postnasal drip that can irritate and inflame the throat.
• Dryness. Dry indoor air, especially in winter when buildings are heated, can make your throat feel rough and scratchy, particularly in the morning when you first wake up. Breathing through your mouth — often because of chronic nasal congestion — also can cause a dry, sore throat.
• Irritants. Outdoor air pollution can cause ongoing throat irritation. Indoor pollution — tobacco smoke or chemicals -also can cause chronic sore throat. Chewing tobacco, alcohol and spicy foods also can irritate your throat.
• Muscle strain. You can strain muscles in your throat just as you can strain them in your arms or legs. Yelling at a sporting event, trying to talk to someone in a noisy environment or talking for long periods without rest can result in a sore throat and hoarseness.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a digestive system disorder in which stomach acids or other contents of the stomach back up in the food pipe (esophagus). Other signs or symptoms may include heartburn, hoarseness, regurgitation of stomach contents and the sensation of a lump in your throat.
• HIV infection. A sore throat and other flu-like symptoms sometimes appear early after someone is infected with HIV. Also, a person who is HIV-positive may have a chronic or recurring sore throat due to a secondary infection. Common problems include a fungal infection called oral thrush and cytomegalovirus infection, a common viral infection that can be serious in people with compromised immune systems.
• Tumors. Cancerous tumors of the throat, tongue or voice box (larynx) can cause a sore throat. Other signs or symptoms may include hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, noisy breathing, a lump in the neck, and blood in saliva.

Sore throats are common, especially in children and teenagers. This is because young people have not built up immunity (resistance) against many of the viruses and bacteria that can cause sore throats. The medical term for a sore throat is pharyngitis. However adults also experience sore throats as well. The symptoms of a sore throat include the following:

• a runny nose
• a headache
• muscle aches
• a cough
• inflammation (redness and swelling) in your throat
• Pain or a scratchy sensation in the throat
• Pain that worsens with swallowing or talking
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dry throat
• Sore, swollen glands in your neck or jaw
• Swollen, red tonsils
• White patches or pus in your tonsils
• Hoarse or muffled voice
• Refusal to eat (Infants and toddlers)

Throat anatomy

Common infections causing a sore throat may result in other accompanying signs and symptoms:

• Fever
• Chills
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Body aches
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting

When to see a doctor

Take your child to a doctor if your child's sore throat doesn't go away with the first drink in the morning, recommends the American Academy of Pediatrics. Get immediate care if your child has severe signs such as:

• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Unusual drooling, which may indicate an inability to swallow
• Sore throats among children often lead to a disease state called tonsillitis. Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils, which are two small glands at the back of the throat behind the tongue.

Adults should see a doctor if any of the following problems associated with a sore throat occur, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology:

• A sore throat that is severe or lasts longer than a week
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty opening your mouth
• Joint pain
• Earache
• Rash
• Fever over 101 F (38.3 C)
• Blood in saliva or phlegm
• Frequently recurring sore throats
• A lump in your neck
• Hoarseness lasting more than two weeks

You can use Flanax Pain Reliever Tablets to stop the pain and inflammation of your sore throat. Flanax Pain Reliever Tablets also reduce a fever that may accompany a sore throat.