If neglected, sore throat can lead to ear infection

Anyone who has had a sore throat would tell you it’s an unpleasant experience. Depending on the severity, sore throat can give you a runny nose, headaches, fever, muscle aches, cough, and a swelling in the throat.

Causes

General Practitioner, Dr. Gladys Onwa, says sore throat is caused by bacterial or viral infection, such as the common cold, though in about one third of cases, physicians may not find a cause for the sore throat.

She explains, “Medically, sore throat is known as pharyngitis, and it is rather common, especially in children and teenagers. This is because young people have not built up resistance against many of the viruses and bacteria that can cause sore throats, hence their susceptibility.”

Another thing that can also lead to a sore throat is tonsillitis. “This is an infection of the tonsils at the back of the mouth and the symptoms are similar to those of a sore throat, though they may be more severe.

“Generally, fever and a general feeling of unwell tend to be worse in tonsillitis. Again, pus and white spots may form on the enlarged red tonsils; while the lymph glands on the neck may become tender to touch. The patient may also have high temperature,” the physician adds.

Though sore throat is supposed to be a minor issue, experts say the infection can spread from the throat or tonsils to other nearby tissues, and when that happens, the patient may develop ear infection, sinus infection or chest infection.

Another infection that can lead to a sore throat is oral thrush, physicians say. A dentist, Dr. Niyi Areola, says oral thrush is usually caused by yeast infection.

“Oral thrush is caused by a type of fungus called Candida albicans, which sometimes overgrows in the mouth and throat. It is medically known as oral candidiasis,” Areola says.

Again, experts warn, an allergy such as hay fever can cause a sore throat. Ditto a person’s allergic reactions to certain medications or some environmental toxins such as fumes from generators and vehicles when breathed in copiously.

And, as fearful as it is, oncologists say, a sore throat can be the first symptom of throat cancer, especially among older smokers!

Another reason people develop sore throat is when they develop mononucleosis – an infection usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. “The virus spreads through saliva, which is why it’s sometimes called ‘kissing disease,’ Areola explains; adding, “It is common among teens and young adults, though I must warn that anyone can get it at any age.”

Symptoms of mononucleosis include fever, sore throat and swollen lymph glands, experts say.

And if you are a smoker, there is bad news for you. Physicians say there’s no stretching the fact that smoking is bad for the health, as it harms nearly every organ of the body – the throat inclusive.

If you love to yell all the time, whether when you are watching interesting movies or when talking to your kids, physicians say excessive yelling or screaming can irritate the throat and larynx, leading to a sore throat!

Experts also warn that streptococcus, a type of bacteria, can also cause sore throat. The sore throat it causes is pejoratively referred to as Strep throat. “In this case, a sore develops in the throat, sometimes accompanied with white spots on the tonsils,” Onwa enthuses.

Symptoms

Onwa says soreness in the throat may be the only symptom that a patient has, though he may also develop a hoarse voice, mild cough, high temperature (fever), and headache.

“The patient may feel sick or tired, while the glands in the neck may swell up as a consequence. Again, the patient may find it painful to swallow food or drink. It’s one reason people also develop dehydration when they have sore throat because it pains when they take anything,” the physician relates.

She notes that ordinarily, the soreness may get worse over two to three days, but the symptoms are relieved and usually gradually eases within a week. “It’s only in about one in 10 cases that the soreness lasts longer than a week,” she adds.

She advises anyone who has a sore throat to see a doctor if the symptoms are severe, unusual, or if they do not ease within three to four days. In particular, she urges urgent medical attention if a patient develops:

Difficulty in breathing
Difficulty swallowing saliva
Difficulty opening the mouth
Severe pain
A persistent high temperature (fever).
A severe illness, especially when symptoms are mainly on one side of the throat.

What about medication?

The physicians agree that usually, most sufferers of sore throat don’t need medications. Areola says, “Most throat and tonsil infections are caused by viruses, although some are caused by bacteria. To be sure of the causative agents, it’s advisable for the patient to undergo a test, the result of which will determine the course of treatment.

If it is caused by germs, antibiotics can be prescribed. However, if it caused by virus, antibiotics would be useless because antibiotics don’t kill viruses.

Onwa adds, “Even if a bacterium is the cause of the sore throat, an antibiotic does not make much difference in most cases. This is because the immune system usually clears the infections within a few days – whether caused by a virus or a bacterium. Worse still, we are reluctant to give antibiotics because they can sometimes cause side-effects such as diarrhoea, feeling sick, rash, and stomach upsets.”

PUNCH.