What are the symptoms of a sore throat?

A sore throat can happen to people of all ages; however, certain individuals are more prone to the risk of a sore throat. The list includes smokers, children, individuals with low immunity, and people with certain allergies. Being in close intimacy with an infected person also increases the risk of getting a sore throat. The majority of sore throats are caused by a viral infection such as in the case of a cold or the flu. In some cases, a bacterial infection can also cause sore throat that causes a strep throat, diphtheria, or whooping cough.

What are the symptoms of a sore throat?

Sore throat symptoms may vary depending upon the cause of the infection. The following list includes the most common symptoms of a sore throat:

Extremely dry throat
Difficulty in swallowing
Pain in the throat
Scratchy sensation in the throat
Hoarse or muffled voice
Swollen tonsils
Redness on your tonsils

When to seek medical help?

If you have a child suffering from a sore throat, get immediate help if he/she have difficulty in breathing, difficulty in swallowing foods, or experience unusual drooling because of the inability to swallow food.

If you are an adult, make an appointment with your medical practitioner under the following circumstances:

You experience persistent fever above 100.4F that does not get relieved after taking suitable medications. It may point out to a condition called strep throat that needs immediate treatment.
You suffer from a flu that does not get better with passing days, as it may indicate infectious mononucleosis.
Hoarseness in your throat that lasts longer than two weeks
The pain in your sore throat persists for more than a week and is accompanied by sneezing, itchy eyes, postnasal drip. It may be a sign of an allergic reaction that requires a doctor attention.
You experience drooling for a long time as you feel difficulty in swallowing food. It may be the result of an inflamed epiglottis that calls for immediate medical intervention.
You experience earache with a sore throat.
If you see blood in your mucus, you should see a doctor.

How to Treat a Sore Throat?

The treatment of a sore throat depends upon your sore throat symptoms. However, you can try few remedies in your home to decrease your discomfort and relieve your pain.

Consume natural herbs such as turmeric or ginger to fight off your symptoms.
Gargling with lukewarm salt water can help you relieve the pain and ease congestion in your throat. It will help you to flush out irritants or bacteria that are present in a sore throat.
Cough syrups are also extremely beneficial. You can consider taking Glycerin Lemon & Honey Cough & Sore Throat Oral Solution to soothe your irritated throat and provide much-needed relief.
You can use a humidifier to add moisture to the air and thin out mucus if it is present. If will clear your throat and give a temporary relief.
Staying hydrated is highly beneficial for an inflamed throat. Water is considered to be an ideal drink; however, you can also take warm liquids such as broths, chicken soup, and clear liquids to ease the pain in your throat.
Consuming honey is considered to be very useful. You can mix honey with tea or warm water to ease any upper respiratory infection.
You can suck on Lozenges, to cool down your sore throat. Lozenges with ingredients such as menthol or eucalyptus will create a numbing effect on your throat. You can also consider taking Beechams Max Throat Relief Lozenge Blackberry to relieve your sore throat.
If you experience severe symptoms, taking Day & Night Nurse Capsules might help to get you relief. Its dual formula will help to do your morning chores; while the night formula will help you get a good night's sleep.

It is advisable to consult a doctor if your sore throat symptoms persist, worsen, or recur as it can be a sign of a serious condition.