Treating Chronic Sore Throat in Erie, PA
Everyone deals with a sore throat at some point in their lives. Sore throats are often when the throat is irritated, painful, or scratchy, especially when swallowing. A sore throat can impact your comfort levels and make it hard to eat and drink throughout the day. There are different issues that could cause a sore throat and it’s important to talk to your ear, nose, and throat doctor so that they can determine the exact cause and get you the treatment that you need.
Causes of Sore Throat
If you’re dealing with a sore throat, there are many issues that it could be a symptom of. Most commonly, a sore throat is associated with a cold or the flu. Usually, sore throats are caused by a virus that heals on its own. Sore throats can also be caused by allergies.
Another cause of sore throats is strep throat. This is less common but is caused by bacteria. If you’re dealing with a bacterial infection, it’s important to get treatment, otherwise it’s much harder for your body to deal with and it may never fully heal without treatment.
Symptoms of Sore Throat
Different issues have different symptoms, but it’s likely that you’ll experience multiple when you’re dealing with a sore throat. Some common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain in the throat that worsens while talking or swallowing
- Swollen, red tonsils
- Swollen glands in the neck or jaw
- Hoarse voice
- Body aches
- Headache
Treating Your Sore Throat
Treatment depends on the cause of your sore throat. If you’re dealing with a bacterial infection, you’ll need an antibiotic to fight this off. A viral infection may just need time. You can usually take over-the-counter pain medications to deal with your symptoms and it’s important that you stay hydrated and get the rest that you need.
Contact Your Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor Today