Sore Throat Treatment

Do you have difficulty swallowing, a hoarse voice with scratchiness and swollen tonsils? Does it hurt to swallow or talk? You likely have a sore throat. Depending on the cause of your throat pain, it may also be accompanied by a cough, fever, runny nose, or body aches. If you also have white spots in your throat and red, swollen tonsils, then you might have something more serious such as tonsillitis or strep throat.

There are three main causes of a sore throat:

• Allergies – seasonal allergies and allergic reactions to dust, dander, mold, and pollen can cause inflammation and soreness in the throat and nasal airways
• Bacterial infections – bacterial infections that can lead to a sore throat include strep, diphtheria, and whooping cough
• Viruses – viral infections such as mononucleosis, a cold, the flu, measles, or chickenpox are the most common causes of sore throat symptoms

A doctor may administer tests to find the exact cause of a sore throat in order to recommend the best treatment for you. Over-the-counter medications can help with symptoms of a sore throat, and antibiotics are commonly prescribed for sore throats caused by bacterial infections.