How Do Doctors Diagnose the Cause of a Sore Throat?
If a patient's sore throat and other symptoms match those of a common viral cold or respiratory infection, the doctor may base the diagnosis on the physical symptoms alone. Nasal and throat swabs can be tested to detect other causes of a sore throat, if necessary.
If the doctor suspects that a patient might have a strep throat infection, the doctor uses a cotton swab to take a sample from the throat and tonsils for a culture. Often, the doctor will do a rapid strep test of the bacteria from the throat swab in the office. This quick test can give the doctor results in 10 to 15 minutes. A positive result indicates that strep bacteria are present; a negative result means that the strep bacteria may or may not be present and the more extensive culture should be done.
Infectious mononucleosis is diagnosed by examining blood samples for antibodies to the virus.
How Is a Sore Throat Treated?
Treatment of a sore throat depends on the diagnosis. If it stems from a common cold caused by a virus, treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms until the illness disappears. Drinking plenty of fluids can help prevent dehydration and clear out mucus in the back of the throat. Water, ginger ale, warm tea with honey, and clear soups are good choices, but not acidic juices (such as lemonade or orange juice), because they can irritate the throat. Gargling with warm salt water can help soothe a sore throat, and over-the-counter pain relievers and throat drops can help ease symptoms as well. Antibiotics are not effective for treating viral infections such as colds. Most viral sore throats go away on their own without complications, and they generally clear up within a few days to a week.
The best treatment for infectious mononucleosis is rest. In addition, over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen can help relieve pain and fever. Studies have shown that one type of antiviral medication (valacyclovir) may be useful in reducing the severity of symptoms. Severe cases of infectious mononucleosis may benefit from the administration of
corticosteroids to reduce swelling and inflammation. Infectious mononucleosis can take from one to two months to subside, and other symptoms from the illness, such as tiredness, can remain for months after.
How Is Strep Throat Treated?
When strep throat has been diagnosed, a course of antibiotic is usually prescribed. A doctor may recommend a 10-day course of treatment or alternatively a one-time antibiotic shot, which can be an advantage if a patient experiences difficulty swallowing, nausea or vomiting. Regardless of type, any antibiotic should be taken as directed to prevent complications. Symptoms of strep throat usually improve within one to two days of starting the antibiotic.
What Are the Complications of a Strep Throat?
Strep throat can lead to scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, kidney problems, including post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, or throat abscesses. Prompt treatment with antibiotics can prevent most of these complications.
Can Sore Throats Be Prevented?
Many respiratory infections both viral and bacterial are spread through contact with respiratory fluids from infected people. People who have respiratory infections and sneeze or cough in a classroom, on a play-ground, or in another crowded environment, can spread the infection to other people. Moisture droplets from their coughing or sneezing are passed into the air. Others inhale these germs, and then they too become infected.
Another way respiratory infections can be passed along is by hand-to-hand contact or by touching objects that an infected person has recently handled. That is why doctors tell people to wash their hands regularly. If someone has an infection or has been in close contact with someone who does, it is wise not to share utensils, food, and drinking glasses with that person.
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