Sore Throat

A sore throat is dryness, pain, and scratchy feeling in the throat.

A sore throat can be recovered by itself, but a consulting doctor is always a better option if it does not relieve spontaneously. It is usually caused by dry air and other environmental factors. A sore throat can be divided into three parts, and according to which part is affected, a better treatment can be offered.

Three parts are –

• Pharyngitis affects the area behind the mouth.
• Tonsillitis is the soft tissue at the back of the mouth, causing swelling and redness of the tonsils.
• Laryngitis or larynx is when there is swelling and redness in the voice box.

Umpteen reasons for sore throat –

• Viral infections such as influenza, the common cold, chickenpox, measles, mumps and mononucleosis can result in sore throat.
• Allergies – when the nose excretes extra mucus and drips down to the throat, it can irritate the throat, causing a sore throat. Symptoms like watery eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, and throat irritation causes sore throat. 
• Dry air is also one of the primary reason.
• Irritants like smoke, chemicals, air pollution also cause sore throat.

Usually, it’s treated medically. But in severe cases of tonsillitis or Peritonsillar abscess, surgical intervention may be required.