Sore Throat Specialist

What causes a sore throat?

Many conditions cause a sore throat, though the most common causes are cold and various types of the flu. Some of the following infections can lead to sore throats:

Viral infections

Viruses are tiny germs that require living hosts to survive and multiply. Some of these hosts include humans, plants, and animals. When you “catch” a virus, it means the germ has invaded some of your cells.

These viruses cause any of the following infections, which, in turn, provoke sore throats:

• Common cold
• Flu
• Mononucleosis
• Measles
• Chickenpox
• Bronchitis
• Upper respiratory infection

Bacterial Infections

Bacteria are single-cell organisms that multiply in countless different types of environments. There are bacteria everywhere around us and, most of the time, they’re harmless. However, some are nefarious and cause both illness and sore throat.

The most common one is Streptococcus pyogenes, which causes strep throat. If you’re suffering from strep, you’ll experience a sore throat, develop a fever, and have swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

Miscellaneous causes

While sore throats are mainly caused by infections, other environmental factors can lead to discomfort and ultimately a sore throat. For example, staying in dry environments for long periods of time can dry out your throat and make swallowing difficult.

You might also get a sore throat after yelling too loudly at a concert or exposing yourself to allergens or irritants for too long.

What are the symptoms of a sore throat?

The most common symptoms of a sore throat include any of the following:

• Painful swallowing and talking
• Difficulty swallowing
• Sore and swollen glands in the neck and jaw
• Red tonsils
• White patches on the tonsils
• Raspy voice

Additional symptoms to your sore throat, like a fever and runny nose, may also indicate you have the flu or the common cold. 

When should you see a doctor about a sore throat?

You should consider booking an appointment with a practitioner at Stephen Renzi Medical PC if you or your child have difficulty breathing and swallowing, in addition to unusual drooling. If your child is drooling more than usual, this probably means they aren’t able to swallow properly.

As an adult, you should consider seeing a doctor if your symptoms are not improving, namely if your sore throat has led to difficulty breathing, swallowing, and opening your mouth.

In some cases, sore throats will provoke pains in other parts of the body and cause irritation. Contact a team member at Stephen Renzi Medical PC if you are experiencing pain in your joints and ear, have a fever, noticed rashes on your skin, blood or phlegm in your saliva, or a lump in your neck.

While a sore throat might at first feel like a manageable discomfort, they are often part of a more significant and concerning condition. It’s essential that you track your sore throat and contact a team member at Stephen Renzi Medical PC by phone or online to book an appointment if the symptoms worsen.