Understanding Sore Throat infection: Causes, Prevention and Treatment

 

Key points:

• Throat  (upper respiratory tract) infection caused commonly by virus less commonly by bacteria.

• Allergies, pollution, weak immunity, are the common causes of infection.

• Symptoms includes pain and inflammation in throat/tonsils.

• Diagnosis by rapid antigen detection test and throat culture.

• Viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics.

• Sour or spicy foods may worsen a throat infection.

• Alcohol consumption may aggravate the symptoms.

 

Throat infections, causes pharyngitis (inflammation of Pharynx, a pipe to the stomach and lungs) or tonsillitis (inflammation of tonsils, two masses of lymphatic tissue one on each side inside the throat).

Throat Infection: Inflammation of Pharynx and Tonsils

Why do throat infections occur?

Infection spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks or by sharing food and drinks. It can also spread through direct contact by sharing personal items or kissing.

Infection can be caused by viruses or bacteria, with the majority being viral, such as those causing the common cold (rhinovirus, adenovirus, influenza virus or respiratory syncytial virus). Viral infection may have similar symptoms to that of bacterial infection but do not respond to antibiotics​.

Bacterial infections are usually less common, caused most notably by Streptococcus spp. of Group-A such as Streptococcus pyogenes (causing strep throat).

Why is your throat prone to infection?

This might be due to various reasons most common are:

·  Weak Immune System, common in children, diseased and old age persons can make it easier for infections to take hold.

·  Chronic Conditions like allergies, sinusitis, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (acid reflux) can lead to repeated throat irritation and infections.

·  Exposure to Dry air, pollution, and smoking can irritate the throat and make it more susceptible to infection.

·  Frequent contact with infected individuals in crowded places.

·  Using water purifier's with unclean filters holding bacteria and fungus, these contaminants when ingested regularly leading to repeated infections.

·  Not washing hands frequently or by sharing personal items.

Symptoms include:

• Severe pain upon swallowing.
• Swollen and red tonsils.
• Fever.
• Headache, chronic bad breath and ear pain may also occur.
• In some cases, white patches appear on the tonsils.

Tonsils are Located at the back of the throat and are important part of the body's immune system which provide defense against pathogens. When pathogens like bacteria or viruses enter the mouth or nose, the tonsils trap them and produce antibodies to help prevent illness.

Sometimes repeated infections don't respond well to treatment. Tonsils may causing discomfort, obstructive sleep apnea (Enlarged tonsils causing breathing difficulties during sleep) and enlarged tonsils affecting swallowing or breathing, a “tonsillectomy” (surgical removal of the tonsils) is considered.

Diagnosis (identifying the cause of throat pain):

• Diagnosis is typically through a physical examination.
• Using rapid antigen detection test (RADT) which gives result in few minutes
• Strep throat is confirmed with throat culture, where a swab from the throat is tested for the presence of Group A Streptococcus. It may take more than 48 hours and usually is more accurate.

Treatment:

Treatment includes pain relievers and antibiotics for bacterial infections.

Strep throat is treated with antibiotics such as penicillin, amoxicillin or azithromycin. Patients typically feel better within a day or two after starting antibiotics, but it's crucial to complete the entire course to prevent complications. But infection caused by virus do not settled by antibiotics, it subsides by its own within 4-7 days depending upon the severity of infection and immunity of the person. 

Warm salt water gargles may relieve the symptoms of pain, inflammation and cough.

What would happen if bacterial infection remains untreated?

If untreated, strep throat can lead to complications such as: 

• Ear or sinus infections
• Abscesses (inflammation and pus) around the tonsils,
• Scarlet fever (toxins released by bacteria causes fever and rashes)
• Rheumatic fever (causes heart damage, joint inflammation and nervous system related problems),
• Kidney disease (blood in urine, high BP).

Does eating sour or spicy foods worsen a throat infection?

Eating sour foods usually do not directly causes throat infection. But if the person is already infected and has inflammation in throat, Sour or Spicy foods, which are acidic, can further irritate the already inflamed tissues of the throat, leading to increased pain and discomfort. 

Additionally, acidic foods can lower the pH in the throat, potentially creating an environment that may worsen symptoms or prevents the healing process. 

Are herbs useful for a sore throat?

It’s advisable to consume soothing, non-acidic foods and beverages, such as warm water or alkaline tea (green tea) with honey, ginger and turmeric having alkaline properties (all have antibacterial properties) which can help relieve symptoms and promote healing.

Beverage and components to relieve the symptoms

Can consuming alcohol treat throat infections?

Alcohol can dehydrate the body and irritate the throat causing pain and inflammation. Additionally, it can interfere with the immune system’s ability to fight against infections. Alcohol can weaken the function of T-cells and macrophages, which are essential for identifying and destroying the pathogens. Alcohol can also interrupt the balance of good microbes present in our GUT which plays a crucial role in immune function.

Alcohol can also interfere with absorption of vitamins A, C, and zinc, which are important for maintaining a healthy immune system.

So, it is better to stay hydrated with non-alcoholic beverages to help soothe the throat and support the body's healing process.