Got a sore throat? It's not uncommon this time of year. Most sore throats are caused by a viral infection and accompany a cold or the flu. The sore throat caused by a virus usually goes away on its own after about a week.
Occasionally, a sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection -- usually strep (streptococcal). Strep throat may cause a painful throat, swollen lymph glands, fever or headaches, but usually doesn't cause the cough, congestion or hoarseness of viral infections. Strep throat requires antibiotics. Your doctor can determine if you have a viral or a bacterial infection by swabbing the back of your throat and culturing the cells for bacteria.
The March issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers self-care tips to ease sore throat:
- Get plenty of rest.
- Double fluid intake.
- Gargle, but don't swallow, a glass of warm water mixed with ½ teaspoon salt.
- Use throat sprays or lozenges.
- Eat foods that are gentle on your throat, such as ice cream, sorbet or soup.
- Take pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others).
- Wear a face mask to keep the air that you breathe moist.
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