3 things you need to know about treating a sore throat properly.

SKĐS - Sore throat is a very common illness caused by many factors. When the weather turns cold or changes, it creates favorable conditions for bacteria and viruses to proliferate, leading to upper respiratory illnesses.

Sore throat is a very common illness caused by many factors. Proper treatment is essential.

Content

• 1. Causes of sore throat
• 2. Methods for treating sore throat
• 3. Prevent sore throats during cold weather and high levels of air pollution.

1. Causes of sore throat

In fact, treatment for sore throat depends on the cause and is divided into three groups:

• The causes are due to non-infectious irritants such as: tobacco smoke, gastric reflux, postnasal drip, or allergies to dust, humid air, pet dander, and fabrics.

Sore throats caused by this group of factors often recur and are usually associated with a history of belching, heartburn, gastritis, smoking, working in polluted environments, owning pets, or exposure to chemicals.

The disease can also progress insidiously and is often associated with respiratory conditions such as rhinosinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and chronic laryngitis.

• Viral infections account for approximately 80-90% of sore throat cases in adults and 70-80% of sore throat cases in children.

In addition to a sore throat, patients with pharyngitis caused by this group of factors often experience one or more of the following symptoms: fatigue, mild fever, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and hoarseness. Children may also have atypical symptoms such as mouth breathing, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea.

Drinking plenty of warm water and gargling with diluted salt water 2–3 times a day helps reduce inflammation, prevent dust buildup, and boost local immunity.

• Bacterial causes, with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus being the most common, account for approximately 5-15% of sore throat cases in adults and 10-30% in children.

Particularly in children aged 5-15, if strep throat caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus is not detected and treated promptly, it can lead to acute rheumatic fever (the bacteria attack connective tissue such as the heart, causing damage to heart valves, or joints, brain, and skin) or post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, although this complication is very rare today.

Symptoms of a sore throat in bacterial pharyngitis usually appear suddenly, without accompanying cough, runny nose, or conjunctivitis, but are often accompanied by swollen lymph nodes in the neck and a high fever.

2. Methods for treating sore throat

Each group of causes of sore throat requires a different treatment approach.

• For causes related to triggering factors, not infection:

The ideal treatment involves addressing the underlying causes: treating reflux, treating sinusitis, maintaining good hygiene in the living environment, and adopting a suitable diet: avoiding allergenic foods, foods that are too hot, too cold, or too spicy.

• Causes related to viral infections:

To treat sore throats caused by this group of factors, patients need rest, plenty of fluids, pain relievers, fever reducers, expectorants to reduce coughs, and antihistamines to reduce runny noses. The illness usually resolves after 5-7 days, although severe cases can sometimes last 10-14 days. Using antibiotics for this group of causes is not only ineffective but can also lead to allergic reactions and antibiotic resistance.

• Bacterial causes are the only cause of sore throat that requires antibiotics.

Note: Never stop taking antibiotics without consulting your doctor. It is crucial to use antibiotics exactly as prescribed to avoid relapse or antibiotic resistance. If symptoms improve after 2-3 days, continue taking the full prescribed dose.

To make a definitive diagnosis, a doctor will culture samples from throat and tonsil swabs. However, in reality, due to various causes that are difficult to identify, if you experience worsening symptoms of a sore throat, you should consult a doctor for appropriate advice.

3. Prevent sore throats during cold weather and high levels of air pollution.

Cold weather combined with current air pollution significantly increases the risk of sore throats at all ages, especially children, the elderly, and those with chronic respiratory conditions. Cold air dries out the throat lining, reducing its ability to filter dust, while fine dust and pollutants easily penetrate deep into the airways, causing irritation, inflammation, and infection. Therefore, proactively protecting the respiratory tract is extremely important.

• Keep your body warm, especially your neck, nose, and throat.

When going outside, you should wear a standard dust mask and a scarf to limit the amount of cold air going directly into your throat.

• Limit going outside during times of high pollution.

The concentration of fine particulate matter is usually higher in the early morning and late evening. Sensitive individuals should monitor the AQI daily to proactively protect themselves.

• Keep the throat lining moist.

Drinking plenty of warm water and gargling with diluted salt water 2–3 times a day helps reduce inflammation, prevent dust buildup, and boost local immunity.

• Improve household hygiene and use air purifiers.

Indoor air can still contain fine dust particles; keeping the space clean and well-ventilated will significantly reduce the risk of throat irritation.

• Adequate nutrition and sufficient sleep.

Vitamin C, zinc, and foods rich in antioxidants help the body fight off pathogens more effectively.

If you experience a persistent sore throat, fever, shortness of breath, or a persistent cough, you should seek medical attention promptly and avoid self-medicating.

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/3-dieu-can-biet-ve-chua-viem-hong-dung-cach-169251209183940988.htm