A study conducted in 2015 found that potentially deadly
bacteria, called Fusobacterium necrophorum, were responsible for one out of five cases of sore throat in
young adults. It is very difficult to detect this bacteria, since the patients often
get a negative result on the strep test.
Most of the people don't think of throat infections as a
big issue and tend to ignore it, but recent developments in the field shown
that these infections can have a complex nature. For example, in Gulf countries
like Saudi Arabia, about 70% of the cases are caused by viruses, rather than by
bacteria.
While most of the cases are likely to get better with time
and rest, medication is needed in a few cases, and for that, the cause needs to
be identified. This brings us to the question: What is your reason
for having a sore throat?
Common Cold
Medically known as Pharyngitis, the common cold is caused
by a drop in temperature, the body's inability to adapt to the sudden change,
consumption of cold beverages and exposure to allergens.
In our day-to-day life, we travel in public transport, meet
different people and no matter how many times we wash our hands, there is
always a possibility of coming in contact with a virus. While most of the cases
of common cold last between three to seven days, if it exceeds this period,
visit a doctor.
Strep Throat
Unlike the common cold, strep throat is caused by the
streptococcus bacteria and can have more severe symptoms, such as fever and
swollen tonsils. It requires proper consultation with a doctor and is reported
to lead to about 25% of the cases of sore throat in children and 10% of the
cases in adults.
After a diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics,
depending upon the nature and severity of the infection.
Allergies
The name may not sound very scary but allergies can lead to
bigger issues, such as nasal stuffiness, problems in breathing, and dry mouth
and throat. In some cases, it could lead to postnasal drainage, and there can
also be a problem of cough and sore throat.
Most of the times, the symptoms of allergies are similar to
the symptoms of a common cold but they can be differentiated by the fact that
allergies are caused seasonally and last for weeks. They are also caused by
allergens and not by viruses. They could lead to itchiness, watery eyes and
rashes.
To get the proper treatment, identify the reasons for your
sore throat and treat the cause as soon as possible.
