Finally!! My First Throat Infection!
After many long years, I finally get to experience what everyone is going on about! Last week, my throat felt rather sore and it was painful to swallow but I had been drinking a great deal of pop (soda to my U.S. friends). I was able to just bear with it and then when I felt lumps there, I decided it might be good to get it checked out. Of course, on a Sunday, urgent care clinics are not exactly the most accommodating, however; I did find one location open until 5pm that was completely vacant. I have to admit, that having a throat infection is rather unpleasant but more of an annoyance than anything else. Swallowing no longer causes any pain, however; my throat feels as if someone has taken bootswings at various angles. Checking one’s blindspot when driving is somewhat uncomfortable. Overall, the pain really isn’t that bad and I get these fancy pills to take until they are finished (yes, I was reminded to take them until they are gone, even if the symptoms disappear). I decided to look up some information on sore throats which is posted below and taken from this site:
“Allergy: The same pollens and molds that irritate the nose when they are inhaled also may irritate the throat. Cat and dog danders and house dust are common causes of sore throats for people with allergies to them.
Irritation: During the cold winter months, dry heat may create a recurring, mild sore throat with a parched feeling, especially in the mornings. This often responds to humidification of bedroom air and increased liquid intake. Patients with a chronic stuffy nose, causing mouth breathing, also suffer with a dry throat. They need examination and treatment of the nose.
Pollutants and chemicals in the air can irritate the nose and throat, but the most common air pollutant is tobacco smoke. Other irritants include smokeless tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and spicy foods.
A person who strains his or her voice (yelling at a sports event, for example) gets a sore throat not only from muscle strain but also from the rough treatment of his or her throat membranes.
Reflux: An occasional cause of morning sore throat is regurgitation of stomach acids up into the back of the throat. To avoid reflux, tilt your bedframe so that the head is elevated four- to six-inches higher than the foot of the bed. You might find antacids helpful. You should also avoid eating within three hours of bedtime, and eliminate caffeine and alcohol. If these tips fail, see your doctor.
Tumors: Tumors of the throat, tongue, and larynx (voice box) are usually (but not always) associated with long-time use of tobacco and alcohol. Sore throat and difficulty swallowing, sometimes with pain radiating to the ear, may be symptoms of such a tumor. More often the sore throat is so mild or so chronic that it is hardly noticed. Other important symptoms include hoarseness, a lump in the neck, unexplained weight loss, and/or spitting up blood in the saliva or phlegm.
When Should I See a Doctor For A Sore Throat?
Whenever a sore throat is severe, persists longer than the usual five- to seven- day duration of a cold or flu, and is not associated with an avoidable allergy or irritation, you should seek medical attention. The following signs and symptoms should alert you to see your physician:
* Severe and prolonged sore throat
* Difficulty breathing
* Difficulty swallowing
* Difficulty opening the mouth
* Joint pain
* Earache
* Rash
* Fever (over 101°)
* Blood in saliva or phlegm
* Frequently recurring sore throat
* Lump in neck
* Hoarseness lasting over two weeks
When Should I Take Antibiotics For A Sore Throat?
Antibiotics are drugs that kill or impair bacteria. Penicillin or erythromycin (well-known antibiotics) are prescribed when the physician suspects streptococcal or another bacterial infection that responds to them. However, a number of bacterial throat infections require other antibiotics instead. Antibiotics do not cure viral infections, but viruses do lower the patient’s resistance to bacterial infections. When such a combined infection occurs, antibiotics may be recommended. When an antibiotic is prescribed, it should be taken as the physician directs for the full course (usually 10 days). Otherwise the infection will probably be suppressed rather than eliminated, and it can return. Some children will experience recurrent infection despite antibiotic treatment. When some of these are strep infections or are severe, your child may require a tonsillectomy.
Should Other Family Members be Treated or Cultured?
When a strep test is positive, many experts recommend treatment or culturing of other family members. Practice good sanitary habits; avoid close physical contact; and sharing of napkins, towels, and utensils with the infected person. Handwashing makes good sense.
What If My Throat Culture Is Negative?
A strep culture tests only for the presence of streptococcal infections. Many other infections, both bacterial and viral, will yield negative cultures and sometimes so does a streptococcal infection. Therefore, when your culture is negative, your physician will base his/her decision for treatment on the severity of your symptoms and the appearance of your throat on examination.
How Can I Treat My Sore Throat?
A mild sore throat associated with cold or flu symptoms can be made more comfortable with the following remedies:
* Increase your liquid intake.
* Warm tea with honey is a favorite home remedy.
* Use a steamer or humidifier in your bedroom.
* Gargle with warm salt water several times daily: ¼ tsp. salt to ½ cup water.
* Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol Sore Throat®, Tempra®) or ibuprofen (Motrin IB®, Advil®).”
As I do not smoke, I still suspect mine was caused from an unusually excessive intake of pop and incidently, some Crown Royal may have slipped into some of those glasses.
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Nice article, very useful and informative. Thanks a lot. I always face throat infection, because of air pollution. I will try these remedies to cure it.