Throat, sore
Alternative names:
burning in the throat; pain in the throat; sore throat
Definition:
Discomfort, pain, or scratchiness in the throat.
Considerations:
Frequent and recurrent sore throats are common, especially in children between the ages of 5 and 10. There is no evidence that removing the tonsils decreases this frequency; therefore, tonsillectomy surgery is performed less commonly than in the past.
Sore throats can be caused by either viruses or bacteria. The majority of sore throats are caused by viruses; therefore, treating all sore throats with antibiotics (which can't cure viruses and can be unnecessarily expensive) would needlessly expose people to the risks of adverse reaction to the drugs.
Strep throat is a primary concern because it can occasionally lead to rheumatic fever. Strep should be treated with antibiotics. Strep throat often presents with a fever (greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit), white draining patches on the throat, and swollen or tender lymph glands in the neck, along with headache and stomach pain in children. Rheumatic fever is very rare in children under 3 and in adults.
Strep throat is very common in children under 3 years old and is much less common in adults. Strep throat is not likely if the sore throat is a minor part of a typical cold (with runny nose, stuffy ears, cough, and similar symptoms).
Common causes:
Note: There may be other causes of sore throat. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for sore throat, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.
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