Sore throat when swallowing with and without fever

Sore throat when swallowing can cause various inflammatory processes of the larynx, pharynx or tonsils. Between sore throats and painful swallowing, you can safely put an equal sign - these are symptoms of serious health problems.

Pharyngeal inflammation (pharyngitis) is the most common form of tonsillitis, which is caused by a viral infection and causes severe pain when swallowing. What are the and sore throat when swallowing, as well as symptoms and treatment methods? 

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What causes sore throat?

Sore throat can cause many factors, including

• A wide range of viruses, including those that cause mononucleosis and influenza. Due to some viruses, blisters can occur in the mouth and throat (so-called "aphthous stomatitis").
• Infections of tonsils or adenoids
• Smoking and alcohol. In addition to pain, they can cause dry throat and pain when swallowing.
• Sore throat can occur due to allergic or chronic sinusitis.
• Bacterial infections. The two most common bacteria can cause sore throat. These are streptococci that cause throat inflammation and the bacterium Arcanobacterium haemolyticum. It causes sore throat mainly in young people and is sometimes accompanied by a nasty red rash all over the body.
• Gingivitis (gingivitis).
• virus Herpes simplex virus .
• Pharyngitis (sore throat).

Problems with swallowing may occur due to problems with the esophagus, such as:

• Ahalasia cards Ahalasia cards
• Spasms of the esophagus
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is aggravated while lying down or during sleep.
• Infectious lesions of the esophagus
• Duodenal ulcer, especially in connection with taking the antibiotic doxycycline (from the tetracycline group)
• Stenosis anywhere in the esophagus can lead to painful swallowing, the first signs - discomfort when chewing and moving food into the stomach.

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Other causes of problems with swallowing include

• Ulcers in the mouth or throat.
• A foreign object that is stuck in the throat (for example, a fish bone or chicken bone).
• Infections of the tooth or abscess.

Sore throat often appears after antibiotic treatment, chemotherapy, or the use of immune drugs. From this, Candida yeast, commonly known as a manifestation of thrush, appears in the throat and on the tongue.

A sore throat that does not go away for more than two weeks can be a sign of a serious illness, such as throat cancer or AIDS.

Sore throat when swallowing can be the result of mouth breathing in cold weather, as well as when running. They can be successfully treated at home, but in case of acute pain it is better to consult a doctor.

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Read more about the possible causes of pain in the throat when swallowing.

Tonsillitis or pharyngitis

Inflammation of the tonsils and pharynx leads to tonsillitis and pharyngitis. Tonsillitis or pharyngitis are the most common causes of sore throat when swallowing. They may occur due to the invasion of bacteria or viruses. Bacterial pharyngitis is easier to cure than viral, as it responds well to antibiotics for the throat.

Viral pharyngitis may be associated with a cold or similar infections. The mode of transmission of this virus is direct - from person to person. The virus overtakes a healthy person in the air when an infected patient coughs or sneezes. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be a great help in the treatment of viral infections.

Infectious mononucleosis or glandular fever

Glandular fever or “kissing disease” is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In addition to pain in the throat when swallowing, a person feels chills, he is reeling. But with this disease, a person is not alone: about 95% of the world's population at one time or another has suffered because of the Epstein-Barr virus. The method of transmission of this virus is simple - it is transmitted through saliva during kisses. That is why this prankster disease is called the kissing disease. Most of all he suffers from teenagers who love to kiss.

This disease was first described in 1889 and in German was called "Drüsenfieber", or glandular fever. The term "infectious mononucleosis" was used much later, in 1920. This disease was detected in a group of college students, finding that the number of lymphocytes increased in their blood. This condition was accompanied by chills and high fever, as well as severe pain in the throat.

With this disease, the person recovers in 2-3 weeks, antibiotics, in particular, ampicillin, are included in the course of treatment.

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Swine flu

The world was so scared of swine flu that even patients with normal throat were asked to take the H1N1 test - a test for swine flu. People were frightened because one of the main symptoms of swine flu was severe pain in the throat when swallowing. There are a wide range of antiviral drugs that are used to treat swine flu. They differ little from drugs that are used for ordinary flu.

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Throat cancer

Oral cancer and laryngeal cancer can cause severe sore throat, which is especially felt when swallowing. Fortunately for patients, the tumor is not always malignant. Cancer occurs mainly in the glottis of the larynx, but often extends to other organs. Usually only chemotherapy saves this disease.

Venereal diseases

Venereal diseases, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, are very common causes of pain in the throat when swallowing. Most often, women who have oral sex are at risk. They become infected with chlamydia, which causes severe sore throat. Antibiotics can help cure them.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Doctors diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) if severe fatigue does not subside within six months. Symptoms of this condition include the seven most important symptoms: cognitive impairment, muscle pain and / or joint pain, headache, hypersensitivity of the lymph nodes, sore throat when swallowing, heavy sleep and indisposition after exercise, which the person continues to do in a state of fatigue.

Usually, this condition is treated with good rest and antidepressants, as well as a complex of multivitamins.

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Scarlatina

Scarlet fever is an infectious disease caused by bacteria known as Group A Streptococcus (GAS). Streptococci cause many other infections, but the GAS strain of bacteria that provoke scarlet fever is also distinguished by the production of toxins. They cause a characteristic reddening of the skin and a rash all over the body.

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Symptoms and diagnosis

Scarlet fever is most common in children aged 4-8 years than in adults. Infection often begins with a throat and is similar to a typical throat disease, such as pharyngitis, but is also accompanied by a rash on the skin that appears within 48 hours. More rarely, the disease manifests itself as a wound on the skin.

The rash goes through the body and spreads to the arms and legs. It looks like a tan, but the skin with scarlet fever becomes as coarse as sandpaper. The rash may be more red in the folds of the skin. Than on its flat surface. When the rash starts to pass, the skin may flake off.

The language during this disease varies greatly (the so-called "strawberry language"). At first, it may be white with red bumps, and then it becomes an intense bright red color.

The diagnosis of scarlet fever is made on the basis of examining the rashes and throat sites, as well as checking the condition of the eyes. A blood test can be done only in some cases when the doctor doubts the diagnosis.

Treatment

This serious illness was more common before the discovery of antibiotics. Today, scarlet fever is usually well treated with antibiotics. However, a small proportion of people experiencing this disease is extremely difficult, especially when bacterial invasion occurs in the bloodstream (sepsis or blood infection), muscle tissue or bones can also be infected with bacteria. The disease is also treated with sprays that irrigate the throat.

People with scarlet fever should cover their cough mouth, often wash their hands. They should not go to school, kindergarten, or office until at least 24 hours have passed since the day they stopped treatment.

What symptoms accompany sore throat when swallowing?

Swallowing is a complex act that involves the work of the jaws, throat, and esophagus (a thin tube through which food moves into the stomach). Many nerves and muscles control the work of the digestive system. In particular, they control the process of swallowing. If swallowing becomes involuntary and painful, you should think about the causes of this problem and consult a doctor.

Sore throat is very poorly tolerated - it is accompanied by symptoms such as a burning sensation in the throat or the feeling that the back of the throat is scratching something. All this is complemented by a strong neck sensitivity. In this case, a sore throat may be accompanied by coughing, sneezing, chills, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. But these are general symptoms, and a more specific cause of sore throat when swallowing can be determined only by consulting a doctor.

Pain in the throat when swallowing may also be accompanied by chest pains, as well as a feeling that the food is stuck in the throat, and the neck area is squeezed.

When is it necessary to contact a doctor?

Call your doctor if you have painful swallowing, and also:

• Blood in the stool or blackening and hardness of the stool, as well as constipation.
• Difficult breathing or dizziness.
• Weight loss.

Tell your doctor about any other symptoms that accompany painful swallowing, including:

• Abdominal pain.
• Chills.
• Cough.
• Fever.
• Heartburn.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Sour taste in the mouth.
• Hoarse voice.

A sore throat when swallowing, which begins quickly, is accompanied by fever or soreness of the front of the neck, requires immediate medical attention.

A sore throat that makes a person have difficulty swallowing or difficulty breathing is a cause for professional medical care.

Seek medical attention as soon as you feel a sore throat and you have palpitations or dizziness, and your tongue or lips are swollen.

Sore throat when swallowing, which lasts more than a week, is a reason to consult a doctor.

If you are pregnant and you have a sore throat when swallowing, then the symptoms are serious. If pain persists within three days, consult a doctor.

What questions of the doctor need to be answered?

A doctor or nurse will examine you and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms. You need to be ready to answer the following questions.

1. What feelings do you have?
2. Do you have a sore throat without a specific reason?
3. Do you have a sore throat when swallowing solid foods, liquids or anything?
4. Is your sore throat constant or does it appear and disappear?
5. Does sore throat worsen every day?
6. Do you have difficulty swallowing?
7. Do you sometimes feel something like a lump in your throat?
8. Have you ever inhaled or ingested any irritating substances?
9. What other health problems do you have?
10. What drugs do you take?

Diagnosis of sore throat

If you have a sore throat while swallowing, you can take the following tests.

1. Listening to the upper respiratory tract.
2. Chest radiograph.
3. Monitor the pH of the esophagus (how much acid is in the esophagus).
4. Manometry of the esophagus (measurement of pressure in the esophagus).
5. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).
6. HIV testing.
7. X-ray of the neck.
8. Smear of the throat.

What if sore throat when swallowing?

Eat slowly and chew well.

You may find it easier to drink warm liquid or eat pureed foods, and leave solid foods for later.

Avoid very cold or very hot foods if you notice that it aggravates sore throat.

Try to use humidifiers - they reduce dry mouth and sore throat.

Home remedies for sore throat relief

• Gargling with warm water and salt is the best remedy for home treatment of sore throat. You can add a pinch of turmeric into the water, since turmeric is a natural disinfectant. This procedure should be repeated at least 2 - 3 times a day.
• A little warm milk with a pinch of salt before going to bed perfectly soothes the sore throat.
• Drink a warm liquid, such as soups, tea, coffee - it also removes sore throat.
• Boil 1 g of cinnamon in 1 glass of water and add 1 spoon of honey to it. Drink this mixture 3 - 4 times a day.
• Chew a couple of cloves of garlic - it helps to reduce the sharp pain in the throat when swallowing, as garlic has natural antibacterial properties. This method perfectly removes the sore throat caused by a bacterial infection.

Useful advice to the patient

Sore throat with a bacterial or viral infection that caused a cold, can calm itself, within 7-8 days. But if after a week of illness you still feel severe pain in the throat when swallowing, you may need inpatient treatment. Therefore, always pay attention to redness of the throat, discharge from the throat and unpleasant sensations when swallowing - they can be a serious signal requiring long-term treatment.