SORE THROAT

See also

Cough, cold

Types

• Viral sore throat: by far the commonest.
• Bacterial sore throat: Pharyngitis or Tonsillitis (often higher temperatureand more systemic upset)
• Laryngitis: Sore throat and lost voice - nearly always viral.

Burning pain in the lower windpipe signifies tracheitis - again nearly always a viral self limiting illness.

Danger signs

• Streptococcal sore throat can precede more serious conditions or complications. Contact GP
• Tonsillar abscess (quinsy) a large swelling in a patient with Tonsillitis requires Emergency treatment.
• "Cold going to chest" - associated with night cough and wheeze may signal asthma - Contact GP

Notes for children

• 2-3 days into colds children may develop chest/ear infections. If suspected, Contact GP
• Young babies are obligate nasal breathers - if unwell or feeding problems,Contact GP
• Croup is common in children - if fast respiratory rate or distress,Contact GP

Notes for the elderly

• Beware side effects of symptomatic relief - especially in the sensitive.
• See "colds".
• Also care with sympathomimetics in glaucoma.

General advice

• As colds.
• Steam inhalation can give good symptomatic relief in nasal obstruction.
• Steam (place in steamy room for safety) may help croup.

Therapy

• Analgesics.
• Decongestants (sympathomimetics and antihistamines).
• Lozenges.
• Gargle / mouthwash.
• Gargling with soluble aspirin (then swallow) .

Dictionary

Croup: any infection of the larynx characterised by difficult and noisy respiration and hoarse cough.
Glaucoma: disease of'the eye characterised by increased intra-ocular pressure due to restricted outflow of the aqueous humour through the aqueous veins and Schlemm's canal.
Streptococcus: a genus of Gram-positive bacteria containing spherical or ovoid cells which occur in pairs or short or long chains; some species are pathogenic.
Sympathomimetic: denoting mimicking of action of the sympathetic system.

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