Treatments, Causes and Symptoms of Soar Throat

Causes of Soar Throat
A soar throat can have many causes. Causes of soar throat range from infections and injuries.

1) Colds, Flu, other Viral Infections
Common viruses, including the viruses that cause mononucleosis(mono) and the flu. Some viruses can also produce blisters in the mouth and throat (“aphthous stomatitis”)
Viruses cause about 90 percent of soar throats. Among the viruses the cause of soar throats are:
– the common cold
– influenza — the flu
– mononucleosis, an infectious disease that’s transmitted through saliva
– measles, an illness that causes a rash and fever
– chickenpox, an infection that causes a fever and an itchy, bumpy rash
– mumps, an infection that causes swelling of the salivary glands in the neck

2) Allergies
Allergies also know as allergic diseases, are a number of conditions caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system to something in the environment that usually causes little or no problem in most people.
When the immune system reacts to allergy triggers like pollen, grass and pet dander, it releases chemicals that cause symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, and watery eyes.

3) Dry Air
Dry air is air that has a low relative humidity. Dry indoor air, especially when buildings are heated can suck moisture from the mouth and throat and even leave them feeling dry and scratchy, particularly in the morning when you wake up. The air most likely dry in the winter months when the heater is running. Breathing through your mouth — often because of chronic nasal congestion — also can cause a dry, sore throat.

4) Strep Throat and Other Bacterial Infection
Bacterial infection can also cause soar throat. The two most common bacteria to cause a sore throat are Streptococcus (which causes strep throat) and Arcanobacterium haemolyticum.

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that can make your throat feel sore and scratchy. Strep throat accounts for only a small portion of sore throats and it is most common in children. Arcanobacterium causes sore throats mainly in young adults and is sometimes associated with a fine red rash.

5) Smoke, Chemicals and Other Irritants
Many different substances and chemicals in the environment irritates the throat, which are air pollution, cleaning products and other chemicals, cigarette and other tobacco smoke. Chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and eating spicy foods also can irritate your throat.

6) Tumor
Tumor is a swelling part of the body, generally without inflammation, caused by an abnormal growth of tissue, whether benign or malignant.  A tumor of the throat, voice box or tongue is a less common cause of a soar throat. When a soar throat is a sign of cancer, it does not go away after a few days.

A sore throat lasting for more than two weeks can be a sign of a serious illness, such as throat cancer or AIDS.

7) Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus – the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. The acid burns the esophagus and throat, causing different symptoms like heartburn and acid reflux – the regurgitation of acid into your throat.

Rarely, an infected area of tissue (abscess) in the throat causes a sore throat. Another rare cause of a sore throat is a condition that occurs when the small cartilage “lid” that covers the windpipe swells, blocking airflow (epiglottitis). Both causes can block the airway, creating a medical emergency.