Sore throat: 7 main causes (and what to do)

Sore throat is a very common symptom, which is usually caused by flu, colds, covid-19, allergies, dry air, or exposure to irritants, for example.

In most cases, the sore throat may also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as headache, body pain, malaise, fever, sneezing, clogged nose or tearing eyes.

It is important to consult the otolaryngologist or the general practitioner, whenever a sore throat arises, especially if accompanied by other symptoms, so that their cause can be identified and the most appropriate treatment begins.

Understand more about the causes of the game of the game and what to do in the following video:

The main causes of sore throat are:

1.

The flu and the cold are the most common causes of sore throat, because the main entrance to viruses is the nose, which eventually accumulate and multiply in the throat mucosa, causing pain.

Other symptoms that may occur are cough, fever, sneezing and headache and body.

What to do: To help relieve symptoms, the doctor may recommend painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs for pain and fever, antihistamines for runny nose and sneezing and syrups to calm the cough.

In some cases, if a bacterial infection arises, antibiotic may be required. Learn how to distinguish flu from cold.

2. Bacteria infection

Sore throat can also be caused by bacteria, the most common being the infection by Streptococcus pyogenes, which is a bacteria naturally present in the throat mucosa without causing disease.

However, when there is an imbalance between the species of microorganisms in the region and consequent proliferation of this type of bacteria, an infection arises. In addition, IST’s such as gonorrhea or chlamydia can also cause infection and sore throat.

What to do: Generally, treatment consists of administration of antibiotics, which should be prescribed by the doctor, who may also prescribe painkillers to relieve sore throat.

3. Gastroesophageal reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux consists of the return of stomach content to the esophagus and mouth, which can cause pain and inflammation in the throat, due to the presence of acid that is secreted in the stomach. Learn more about gastroesophageal reflux.

What to do: To avoid sore throat caused by reflux of gastric content, the doctor may recommend administering inhibitor remedies of acid, antacids or stomach protectors.

4. Dry air and air conditioning

When the air is drier, the mucosa of the nose and throat tend to lose moisture, and the throat tends to become drier and angrier.

What to do: The ideal is to avoid air conditioning and exposure to dry environments. In addition, it is advisable to drink a lot of water and apply mucosal hydration solutions, such as saline in the nose.

5. Allergy

Sometimes, when an allergic reaction occurs, the throat may be irritated and, in addition, symptoms such as runny nose, eyes watery or sneezing, for example.

What to do: The doctor may recommend administration of antihistamines to alleviate allergic symptoms.

6. Smoking of cigarette and air pollution

Cigarette smoke and air pollution caused by fires, emission of car vehicles or industrial activities, for example, are also responsible for causing throat irritation.

What to do: Avoid closed places with excess cigarette smoke and prefer to go out to green spaces where the air is less polluted.

7. COVID-19

Covid-19 is a respiratory infection in which the first symptoms that may arise are sore throat, dry cough, fever or excessive tiredness.

In addition, COVID-19 can cause other symptoms such as body pain, headache, loss of taste or smell, dripping or clogged nose, for example.

In more severe cases, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath may also appear. See all the symptoms of COVID-19.

What to do: is It is important to isolation, and the rapid covid test, or the RT-PCR exam indicated by the general practitioner to confirm the infection.

If necessary, the doctor may prescribe the use of medicines that help relieve symptoms. Understand how covid-19 is handled.