Is Your Sore Throat Caused by Tonsilitis, Pharyngitis or Laryngitis

Many things can cause sore throats. Laryngitis, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis are a few examples of throat inflammation brought on by these illnesses. A virus is responsible for eight out of every 10 occurrences of pharyngitis. Similar to a cold or the flu, direct contact with an infected individual is the most frequent way to get the virus. In addition to this method of transmission, other factors such as exposure to irritants (such as smoke or irritant chemicals), speaking aloud, overusing the vocal cords, or other respiratory tract infections like a cold, bronchitis, or sinusitis can also increase the risk of throat inflammation brought on by a viral infection. 

Laryngitis: Symptoms & Treatments

Symptoms of acute laryngitis¹

Laryngitis is contagious and it’s usually caused by a virus that can be transmitted by shaking hands. The most common laryngitis symptoms caused by this respiratory infection are²:

• Dry cough
• Hoarseness or the sensation of a lump in the throat
• A change in the sound of your voice (dysphonia) or the inability to speak (aphonia)
• Tingling sensation in the throat
• Sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing

Treatment of acute laryngitis³

In most cases, these infections heal themselves within a few days, meaning that treatment of viral laryngitis is sometimes not required. However, the symptoms can be eased by certain measures. These include:

• Resting your voice.
• Not smoking and avoiding contact with irritants (such as chemical detergents in the surrounding air).
• Using a humidifier for good air humidity.
• It is advisable to avoid eating hot, spicy food.
• Drinking plenty of water to stay well hydrated.
• Washing your hands thoroughly to avoid the spread of the viral infection.

Strepsils for Laryngitis

Strepsils lozenges can help provide relief of sore throat and dry cough relief. These are some of the most common symptoms you can experience when you have Laryngitis. It is recommended to consult your doctor when taking Strepsils for medication. If you're struggling with a sore throat or a cough, Strepsils lozenges have got you covered with their range of flavors and variants. Each product is formulated to target different levels of throat soreness, from mild to severe, and different types of coughs, including dry and chesty.

Pharyngitis: Symptoms & Treatments

Symptoms of acute pharyngitis⁴

Apart from a painful throat, additional symptoms of viral pharyngitis include reddish and swollen lymph nodes, which can occur to varying degrees depending on the individual. Lateral pharyngitis is a kind of acute pharyngitis in which the lateral lymphatic channels become inflamed. The lymphatic channels in the neck that extend from the top to the bottom of the posterior pharyngeal wall are known as the lateral strands. Since these lymphatic systems are found on the right and left sides of the pharynx, clinicians refer this inflammation as angina lateralis (lateralis = lateral). It causes significant enlargement of irritated lymphatic vessels. They become crimson and have white specks on them. The lateral channels start at the Eustachian tube.

Keep in mind that pharyngitis is infectious. With pharyngitis, keep an eye out for the following symptoms.

These include:

• Sore throat when swallowing
• Sore throat on one side
• Dry throat
• Swollen glands, which can be felt by touching the outside of the throat
• Swollen tonsils
• Fever, temperature is usually under 38ºC
• Headache
• Feeling of fatigue and tiredness

These symptoms always depend on the virus that caused the inflammation as well as your general state of health. Furthermore, it is important to look out for any signs indicating that it is advisable to see a doctor, for example, a high fever.

Pharyngitis can also be caused by bacteria. The following are the most prevalent symptoms of bacterial pharyngitis:

• Severe painful throat with difficulty swallowing
• Fever with a fever of more than 38ºC
• Pus accumulations at the back of the throat
• Overall discomfort and pain that can extend into the ear

In each situation, it is best to consult a doctor to discover the source of the illness.

Treatment of acute pharyngitis⁵

As with laryngitis, the symptoms of viral pharyngitis can also be eased with a few home remedies6. These include:

• Gargling with salt water: Salt has antimicrobial properties which help to eliminate the pathogens. Also, salt helps to lubricate the mucous membranes and reduce swelling.
• Drinking plenty of water. It is important to drink plenty of water if you have pharyngitis. Water not only helps to keep your throat lubricated.
• Treat your voice with care: It is better to rest and also speak as little as possible so as not to put a strain on your throat.
• Soups and soft foods: In the case of pharyngitis, food can become a challenge as every swallow can be painful. For this reason, warm soups and soft foods are recommended to avoid putting a strain on your throat unnecessarily.
• Avoiding irritants: If you smoke, you should give up this habit while you have pharyngitis. Smoking is an irritant that can aggravate the illness. Likewise, it is advisable to steer clear of any foods that irritate the throat and cause further complaints, such as pepperoni, or other strong spices, as well as acidic food and alcohol.
• Rest: If you have a fever or muscle pains caused by pharyngitis, it is best to lay down and not exert yourself. This will allow your body to concentrate on fighting the infection.
• An important note on antibiotics: Viral pharyngitis is an illness that is not treated with antibiotics since the cause is a virus and not bacteria. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses and can be counter-productive when taken without medical supervision.

Strepsils for Pharyngitis

Seeking advice from your doctor is recommended when taking any medication, but if you're experiencing symptoms of Pharyngitis, such as sore throat, inflamed throat, and dry throat, Strepsils may provide some relief. Nonetheless, proper diagnosis is essential for the most effective treatment, so it's best to consult your doctor.

Strepsils provide a range of solutions to fit your needs when it comes to getting treatment for your cough or sore throat. Its variety of tastes and formulas are especially made to treat various degrees of throat discomfort, whether it's a light or severe case, as well as various forms of cough, such as dry or chesty.

Tonsilitis: Symptoms and Causes

Symptoms of acute tonsillitis⁷

Tonsillitis is often an inflammatory upper respiratory tract infection caused by a virus. Despite being infectious, it is possible to diagnose tonsillitis by identifying its distinct symptoms, such as:

• Inflamed palatine tonsils
• Bad breath
• Generally feeling unwell
• Snoring
• Sore throat that radiates to the ears
• Fever
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hoarse voice and coughing

Treatment of acute tonsillitis⁸

Because this is a viral infection, antibiotics are not recommended. Instead, relax, drink plenty of fluids, and take medicine to relieve the discomfort, inflammation, and sore throat caused by the infection.

• Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, soup, tea with honey and lemon, or broth, to keep the throat lubricated, ease the sore throat and prevent dehydration.
• Avoid hot, spicy and acidic food.
• Drink warm drinks, such as warm water with honey. Cold food can help too. Eating ice cream is also recommended for a sore throat.
• Use an air humidifier. You can also spend a few minutes in a steam bath.
• Rest is very important for your body to recover as quickly as possible.
• Gargling warm salt water is best for a sore throat. It can be soothing, keeps the mucous membranes lubricated, and reduces swelling.
• Avoid certain substances that irritate the throat such as smoking or fumes from detergents.

Strepsils for Tonsilitis

Strepsils lozenges can be used as a supportive intervention to relieve the symptoms of tonsillitis-related sore throat. While Strepsils lozenges can help relieve the discomfort of a sore throat, they are not a replacement for medical therapy. A doctor should be consulted for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan for tonsillitis, which may involve antibiotics or other drugs.

If your doctor recommends Strepsils lozenges for tonsillitis, make sure you strictly follow the directions and do not exceed the necessary dosage. It's also worth noting that Strepsils lozenges aren't safe for kids under the age of six, and they should be taken with caution in those who have a history of allergies or other medical disorders.

Strepsils lozenges are available in a variety of flavors and kinds and are particularly developed to relieve differing degrees of sore throat and cough. These medications are designed to treat mild to severe throat irritation, as well as dry or chesty coughs.

When should you see a doctor about your sore throat or throat inflammation?

A viral inflammation heals with the help of the body's own defence, rest and the intake of fluids, and in some cases, it can help to take anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving and antipyretic medication.

If the symptoms stay the same or have worsened after three days, then it is vital to see a doctor, who will assess the symptoms as a whole and possibly offer another treatment. It is also recommended to see your doctor if new symptoms occur, e.g.

• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing, accompanied by some blood (pink or red saliva)
• More severe pain in the throat
• Any kind of ear problems

If the person concerned is a child, it is vital to go to a paediatrician if symptoms such as more saliva than normal, wheezing, respiratory problems or a temperature of 39ºC or more is detected.

An infection caused by a bacterium usually leads to pronounced localised pain and higher temperature (usually over 38.5ºC), swollen lymph nodes and tonsils with a whitish layer. The risk of infection is increased when you are near to the person who is ill, transmission often occurs when sneezing, coughing, or speaking. Consult your doctor.

Generally, it is advisable to go to the doctor if you suspect tonsillitis, particularly when the patient is young, or the symptoms are very pronounced.

Preventing a Sore Throat and Pharyngitis

There are a few things to keep in mind to reduce the risk of inflammation in the throat and mouth.

• Have a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
• Obtain a good night's rest (aim for at least eight hours)
• Workout on a regular basis, ideally outside.
• Find techniques to relax and minimize stress.
• Do not smoke, actively or passively.
• Boost your immune system with natural therapies such as fruit smoothies.
• Drink plenty of fluids to keep your pharynx mucous membrane lubricated. Maintain a suitable indoor temperature by avoiding draughts and keeping humidity levels acceptable.

Sources:

¹ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/014556131809700920

² https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/laryngitis/

³ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/014556131809700920

⁴ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7124194/

⁵ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7124194/

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

⁷ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24247917/

⁸ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tonsillitis/

¹⁰ Banner Photo by benzoix from Freepik