A sore throat is an unfortunate side effect of many illnesses, especially in the colder months. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it can make swallowing, breathing, or talking a very painful experience.
A sore throat typically starts with a tickle or dryness of the throat. As it worsens, it may evolve to a pins-and-needles sensation or could become scratchy when you talk. This feeling is often described as swallowing sandpaper or glass.
If you have viral pharyngitis, which is a sore throat caused by a viral infection, it is best to utilize home remedies to alleviate the discomfort. If the infection is bacterial, a throat culture may be required to help determine the best antibiotics for you.
What is Pharyngitis?
Pharyngitis, commonly known as a sore throat, is an inflammation of the pharynx caused by a viral or bacterial infection. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, this means that pharyngitis is considered a symptom, rather than a condition.
The sensation of a sore throat may vary depending on the cause. The feeling may range from a sharp pain to an aching discomfort.
Possible Causes of Pharyngitis
Healthline advises that there are many conditions which may cause sore throat. Some causes of sore throat include:
- Common cold
- Streptococcus
- COVID-19
- Allergies
- Tonsillitis
- Acid reflux
Actions as simple as mouth breathing, yelling, or swallowing irritants like spicy food could also cause pharyngitis.
Sore Throat Symptoms
According to The Cleveland Clinic, the symptoms of pharyngitis include:
- Dry, scratchy throat
- Pain when swallowing
- Pain when speaking/strained voice box
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Cough
- Hoarseness
You may experience other symptoms like a runny nose, fever, chills, congestion, or headaches. This all depends on what sort of illness your body is battling.
Is Pharyngitis Contagious? Is Pharyngitis Strep Throat?
Because pharyngitis is a side effect of other illnesses, it is not contagious. However, many of the bacterial and viral infections that cause pharyngitis are highly contagious.
Arguably the most common cause of acute pharyngitis is group A Streptococcus, or strep throat. The main symptom of strep is a sudden-onset sore throat. Other symptoms include:
- Pain when you swallow
- Fever
- Red, swollen tonsils
- Tiny, red spots on the roof of your mouth
Sometimes the tonsils will have white patches, which are pus. The CDC says strep occurs from respiratory droplets that may be transmitted through person-to-person contact. The incubation period is approximately 2 to 5 days.
Advanced Urgent Care in Colorado is partnering with Rapid Testing LLC to offer curbside rapid testing for strep. The test is for all ages and results are available the same day as testing. It is important that if you or your child test positive for strep to get treatment. Strep can progress to rheumatic fever or scarlet fever if not treated. Click here to learn more about testing options.
The National Library of Medicine warns that there are other highly transmissible illnesses that cause pharyngitis. This list may include COVID, the common cold, flu, or upper respiratory infections often seen in children like whooping cough or croup. Because there are so many illnesses that can cause sore throat, it is important to take precautions to stay healthy. Remember to frequently disinfect surfaces, avoid contact with anyone you suspect to be ill, and wash your hands.
What Does COVID Sore Throat Feel Like?
Since COVID is a viral infection, any associated sore throat would be known as viral pharyngitis. A person with a COVID sore throat may also experience cough and a runny nose. This differs from bacterial pharyngitis.
A common type of bacterial pharyngitis is strep throat. Symptoms of strep do not include cough or runny nose, but instead include red swollen tonsils. Click here to learn the differences between strep vs. flu vs. COVID.
How Can You Tell the Difference between Laryngitis and Pharyngitis?
Although pharyngitis and laryngitis are similar sounding words, they are different conditions. Pharyngitis affects the pharynx, which is another word for our throat. Laryngitis affects our voice box, which is connected to the bottom of our pharynx.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, laryngitis can develop when your vocal cords become inflamed. This results in your voice sounding hoarse or losing your voice entirely.
Some similarities between the two are that bacterial and viral infections can cause these conditions. A symptom of laryngitis is a sore throat.
Sore Throat Remedies
If the illness causing the sore throat is viral, then antibiotics will not be helpful. In most viral cases, sore throats may be alleviated by home remedies that may include:
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Gargling warm salt water
- Sipping warm broth or tea
- Using a humidifier
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen may also be used to relieve pain or reduce inflammation. Sucking on a lozenge or cough drop may also help to soothe the throat.
If a viral infection is the culprit behind your discomfort, it will run its course through your system within a couple of days.
Antibiotics may only quell pharyngitis if it is brought on by a bacterial infection. Common bacterial infections are strep throat or an STI in the throat, like gonorrhea or chlamydia. In such cases, positive throat cultures would be required before prescribing antibiotics, as noted by MedicinePlus. Amoxicillin or penicillin may be prescribed with such bacterial infections.
We Can Help!
Do you want to find out what irritates your throat? You can visit any Advanced Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine clinic across the Denver metro area.
We are open 7 days a week so simply reserve a spot for your visit online or walk-in today. Click here to view a list of our locations.
Our partner, Rapid Testing LLC, offers a curbside rapid antigen detection test for streptococcus. Testing is also available for COVID, flu, and RSV. They guarantee same-day testing with same-day results. Click here to learn more and schedule.