A sore throat starts out as just a little tickle. After a few hours, irritation and scratchiness usually follow. Unfortunately, that’s not the worst of it. Many people will wake up the next day with full-blown throat pain.
A sore throat really sucks because it makes so many other activities more difficult.
Speech is near impossible, you can’t swallow, you’re hungry and thirsty, you feel hot and bothered and it’s even difficult to fall asleep.
What can cause a sore throat?
A streptococcal bacteria is usually the cause of strep throat. Other bacterial infections are whooping cough and diphtheria. Doctors consider a sore throat to be severe if there is a fever or the tonsils are swollen and close off the throat.
How to cure a sore throat at home
According to Healthline.com there are tried and tested remedies that can be used to treat a sore throat caused by a bacterial or viral infection. These are:
- Raw garlic in food or regularly taken as supplements can prevent the common cold virus. However, it is for its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that garlic should be taken to fight off infections and to soothe a sore throat.
- Stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluids to keep the throat moist. Avoid dehydrating drinks like coffee and alcohol but drink plenty of warm soups or broths and tea such as ginger, camomile and peppermint tea with honey to ease irritation and soreness. However, don’t give honey to children who are younger than a year. Honey taken in a nightcap is particularly useful in relieving coughing spells.
- Peppermint essential oil, which has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties, can be diluted in distilled water to be used as a healing spray.
- Use a humidifier to moisten the air while a cool-air humidifier can be used to eliminate dry air, which is a throat irritant. Taking a steamy shower eases sore throats and weary limbs.
- Rest the body and your voice and get plenty of sleep because total rest boosts the immune system.
- Rid your home of powerful cleaning products and ban smoking that irritates the throat.
- Use sugar-free lozenges because they stimulate saliva production, thereby moistening the throat. But don’t give children under 10 cough drops or lozenges.
- Gargling with salt in a cup of warm water or in a combination of 1 cup warm water, ¼ teaspoon baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon of salt every three hours can prevent yeast and fungi growth and kill bacteria and soothe the irritation. Children older than 6 and adults can gargle and spit it out.
- If you wish to use over-the-counter medications for pain relief, aspirin or Panado are safe and popular choices.
When should I see a medical professional?
With concerns about COVID-19, sore throats and what used to be common viral and bacterial infections now come under closer scrutiny. Until proven otherwise, use the remedies listed above to fight the infection, whatever it may evolve into.
Give The Medical Society a call and set up a consultation. The Medical Society is passionate about proper health and nutrition for both children and adults. The Medical Society covers you and your family for whatever unforeseen illnesses may come your way, offering affordable healthcare for adults.
Starting from R89 a month, members are covered for unlimited nurse-room visits, as well as dietary advice from professionals.
And follow these steps:
- Stay home. Distance yourself from people you live with as much as possible. Wash your hands and sanitise surfaces frequently.
- Before going to see your doctor, first call and let him know your symptoms. Your doctor will brief you on how to take care of yourself through your illness and, depending on the severity of the condition, may arrange that you are tested for COVID-19.
Should the symptoms worsen and you have difficulty breathing, experiencing chest pains or pressure; lips, face and nails that appear blue in colour, mental confusion or have trouble staying awake or have difficulty waking up – get medical attention fast.
Symptoms of coronavirus
COVID-19 symptoms are varied and keep on evolving until the virus forms a new strain. The sore throat is one of the symptoms, but it is not known how far along it occurs during the course of the infection.
Usually, with respiratory viruses that are inhaled and enter via the nose and throat to cause the common cold, the sore throat is an early symptom.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the most common symptoms are fever, a wet or dry cough and fatigue. Less common symptoms are shortness of breath, headache, body aches and pains, chills, runny or stuffy nose, digestive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea and loss of smell or taste.
Stay away
To prevent catching infections, stay away from people who are sick with infections such the flu or strep throat. Follow the sanitising procedures for COVID-19. And try to keep the pH of your body as alkaline as possible by avoiding spicy or acidic foods.
