Sore Throat
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| Sore throat |
Meaning of sore throat is essentially an acute tonsillitis and pharyngitis .It is characterized by redness and oedema of mucosa. Exudation of tonsils ,pseudo membrane formation,oedema of uvula and enlargement of cervical lymph nodes. viruses are more common cause of sore throat ,about two-thirds cases are of viral origin.
Sore throat causes (causative agent )
Bacteria-
Streptococcus pyogenes
Streptococcus Group C and G
Corynabacterium diphtherae
Haemophilus influenzae
Bordetella pertussis
Treponema Vincentii
Leptotrichia buccalis
Fungus
Candida albicans
Viruses
Epstein-barr virus
Adenovirus
Cosackievirus A
Signs and symptoms of sore throat
(what is the reason of throat pain)
Symptoms caused by streptococci and viruses are similar these include -
Painful throat on swallowing (Throat ache)
Congested tonsils and pharynx
Large lymph nodes
Pyrexia
If untreated streptococcal tonsillitis may give rise to complications such as-
Peritonsillar abscess
Sinusitis or
Immune Complex disease (Rheumatic fever, Glomerulonephritis)
Sore throat and fever
Throat infection
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| Symptoms of sore throat |
Diagnosis of sore throat-
1.Specimen throat-
swab from fauces
2.Collection
Two sterile swab should be used ,one for direct microscopy and other for culture. Swab should be rubbed over the tonsillar fossa, pseudo membrane if present and finally at the post pharyngeal wall. This swab should include exudate present in the Throat. This should be quickly sent to the lab. if delay is inevitable ,swab should be refrigerated.
3.Direct microscopy
Gram stain and Albert stain
4.Culture media are selected according to the organisms expected to be the causative agent of sore throat.
Blood Agar, Crystal Violet blood Agar, Loeflers serum slope, potassium tellurite blood Agar.
Treatment of sore throat
(Medicine of sore throat)
Paracetamol(acetaminophen)
Ibuprofen
Cetrizine and Levocetrizine
(They provide symptomatic relief)
Antibiotics for sore throat -Amoxycilline,Cefixime
Natural Home Remedies and daily lifestyle better than Medicines-
(What to eat with sore throat)
Drink Warm water
Gargles with salty warm water( 1 teaspoon salt in 1glass water)
Honey
Drink warm fluids
Topical NSAID's
Drink hot soup
If problem is severe,visit a doctor and take proper medication.
