Sore Throat Causes

It’s important to know that:

• Sore throats are usually a symptom of colds, tonsillitis or other forms of inflammation in the mouth and pharynx.
• 8 out of 10 infections are caused by viruses.¹
• There are more than 100 different viruses that can cause a cold2, most of which are transmitted through the air or droplets e.g., when sneezing, coughing or shaking someone’s contaminated hand.
• Antibiotics are ineffective in these viral cases, as they can only treat bacterial infections.

There are many other causes of a sore throat³:

• Allergies and hayfever
• Heartburn (gastric acid reflux into the oesophagus)
• Dry air from air conditioning
• Smoking
• Passive smoking
• Voice strain
• Environmental factors e.g., emissions and air pollution
• Existing underlying conditions e.g., thyroid disorders and snoring
• Side effects of medication e.g., ACE inhibitors, inhalers
• Alcohol consumption

There are a few common symptoms of a sore throat⁴:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Burning sensation in the throat
• Prickly or tingling sensation in the throat
• Dry throat
• The sensation of a lump in the throat
• Swollen throat
• Swollen lymph nodes (these can be felt in the hollow between the neck and jawbone)

The most common accompanying symptoms include:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Headache
• Cough
• Tiredness
• Raised temperature

What can you do to help ease a sore throat?

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Breathe through your nose
• Ensure sufficient air humidity in rooms, particularly when they are air-conditioned
• Rest

What should you avoid with a sore throat?

• Using your voice too much
• Smoke
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Spicy or acidic food
• Places where the air quality is poor

There are different medications available to treat a sore throat.

Over the counter medication and home remedies

Typically, over the counter medication and home remedies can be used to treat the symptoms of a sore throat.

Strepsils has a wide range of products to help relieve and treat the symptoms of a sore throat. At the first sign of a sore throat, we recommend Strepsils Cool Sensation and Honey & Lemon Lozenges as it provides antiseptic action and helps with pain relief.

If your throat is extremely painful and inflamed, Strepsils lozenges can help relieve the pain and the inflammation. Strepsils Max Pro variant is anti-inflammatory, offer pain relief and reduce swelling. Strepsils Max Pro, available in 8s and 16s, has a long-lasting effect, reducing pain and inflammation for up to 6 hours.

Antibiotics

Around 80 percent of sore throats are caused by viruses, with only 20 percent caused by bacteria5. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses and so are not an effective treatment for most sore throats. In addition, experts recommend that antibiotics only be prescribed for patients with a serious infection or who are at risk from complications.

Even when antibiotics are necessary, they have almost no immediate effect on symptoms. Read more about the dangers of taking antibiotics unnecessarily and the emergence of multi-resistant pathogens (e.g. MRSA) here.

How can you tell if a sore throat has been caused by bacteria?

Unfortunately, you cannot diagnose a bacterial infection by yourself. To find out if you have a bacterial infection, speak to your GP.

When should you see a doctor about a sore throat?

Although most sore throats do get better by treating them with throat sprays or lozenges, drinking plenty of fluids, and getting enough rest, in some cases you may need to see a doctor. If your symptoms persist, do not improve, or become more serious, please consult your GP. Here are a few things to look out for:

• Your symptoms worsen or do not improve after 3 days, even after you have taken steps to ease your sore throat
• Your symptoms include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or serious difficulty swallowing
• You often get a sore throat
• You have a high temperature

If your symptoms still do not improve after treating your sore throat as instructed by the doctor, you should return to the doctor for further examination.

Preventing sore throats⁶

There are steps you can take to strengthen your immune system and reduce the chance of getting a sore throat:

• Eat a balanced diet with a variety of fruit and vegetables (at least five servings a day)
• Get a good night’s sleep – most people need between 7 and 9 hours
• Exercise regularly, preferably outdoors
• Try to avoid stress or develop ways of managing your stress
• Don’t smoke - actively or passively
• Drink plenty of fluids to keep your throat lubricated
• When indoors; avoid draughts and air-conditioned environments where possible, and use a humidifier

1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3135445/

2 https://www.healthline.com/health/common-cold-causes

3 https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/sore-throat
4 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/311449#symptoms

5 Ebell MH, et al. JAMA 2000;284:2912–8

6 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sore-throat