Catch Throat

Catch Throat
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Sore throats. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/content/sore-throats. Accessed Feb. 18, 2019.
Sore throat. Merck Manual Professional Version. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/ear,-nose,-and-throat-disorders/approach-to-the-patient-with-nasal-and-pharyngeal-symptoms/sore-throat. Accessed Feb. 18, 2019.
Seven tips to help you prevent a sore throat. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. https://www.enthealth.org/be_ent_smart/seven-tips-to-help-you-prevent-a-sore-throat/. Accessed Feb. 18, 2019.
Sore throat. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/sore-throat.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2021.
Drutz, JE. Sore throat in children and adolescents: Symptomatic treatment. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 18, 2019.
Stead W. Symptomatic treatment of acute pharyngitis in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 18, 2019.
Slippery Elm. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed Feb. 22, 2019.
Taking care of your voice. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/takingcare.aspx. Accessed Feb. 18, 2019.
Chow AW, et al. Evaluation of acute pharyngitis in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 20, 2019.
Kellerman RD, et al. Pharyngitis. In: Conn's Current Therapy 2019. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2019. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Feb. 21, 2019.
Common colds: Protect yourself and others. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/index.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2021.
AskMayoExpert. Streptococcal pharyngitis. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2018.
Kahrilas, PJ. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 25, 2019.
Gonzalez MD, et al. New developments in rapid diagnostic testing for children. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. 2018;32:19.
AIDS and opportunistic infections. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/livingwithhiv/opportunisticinfections.html. Accessed Feb. 26, 2019.
Shelov SP, et al. Ears, Nose and Throat. In: Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: Bantam Books; 2014.

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A sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow. The most common cause of a sore throat (pharyngitis) is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. A sore throat caused by a virus resolves on its own.
Strep throat (streptococcal infection), a less common type of sore throat caused by bacteria, requires treatment with antibiotics to prevent complications. Other less common causes of sore throat might require more complex treatment.
The throat includes the esophagus, windpipe (trachea), voice box (larynx), tonsils and epiglottis.
Symptoms of a sore throat can vary depending on the cause. Signs and symptoms might include:
Infections causing a sore throat might result in other signs and symptoms, including:
Take your child to a doctor if your child's sore throat doesn't go away with the first drink in the morning, recommends the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Get immediate care if your child has severe signs and symptoms such as:
If you're an adult, see your doctor if you have a sore throat and any of the following associated problems, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery:
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Viruses that cause the common cold and the flu also cause most sore throats. Less often, bacterial infections cause sore throats.
Viral illnesses that cause a sore throat include:
Many bacterial infections can cause a sore throat. The most common is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) which causes strep throat.
Other causes of a sore throat include:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a digestive system disorder in which stomach acids back up in the food pipe (esophagus).
Other signs or symptoms may include heartburn, hoarseness, regurgitation of stomach contents and the sensation of a lump in your throat.
HIV infection. A sore throat and other flu-like symptoms sometimes appear early after someone is infected with HIV.
Also, someone who is HIV-positive might have a chronic or recurring sore throat due to a fungal infection called oral thrush or due to a viral infection called cytomegalovirus (CMV), which can be serious in people with compromised immune systems.
Rarely, an infected area of tissue (abscess) in the throat or swelling of the small cartilage "lid" that covers the windpipe (epiglottitis) can cause a sore throat. Both can block the airway, creating a medical emergency.
Although anyone can get a sore throat, some factors make you more susceptible, including:
The best way to prevent sore throats is to avoid the germs that cause them and practice good hygiene. Follow these tips and teach your child to do the same:
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Strep throat: All you need to know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/strep-throat.html?CD. Accessed Dec. 2, 2020.
Pichichero ME. Complications of streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Dec. 2, 2020.
Sore throats. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/sore-throats/. Accessed Dec. 2, 2020.
Pichichero ME. Treatment and prevention of streptococcal pharyngitis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Dec. 2, 2020.
AskMayoExpert. Streptococcal pharyngitis. Mayo Clinic; 2019.
Drutz JE. Acute pharyngitis in children and adolescents: Symptomatic treatment. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Dec. 2, 2020.
Wald ER. Group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in children and adolescents: Clinical features and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Dec. 2, 2020.

Recurring strep throat: When is tonsillectomy useful?

Strep throat in young children: A common diagnosis?

Strep throat infection

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Strep throat is a bacterial infection that can make your throat feel sore and scratchy. Strep throat accounts for only a small portion of sore throats.
If untreated, strep throat can cause complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can lead to painful and inflamed joints, a specific type of rash, or heart valve damage.
Strep throat is most common in children, but it affects people of all ages. If you or your child has signs or symptoms of strep throat, see your doctor for prompt testing and treatment.
Strep throat usually causes throat pain and difficulty swallowing. This photo of strep throat shows inflammation and red spots, caused by the infection.
Signs and symptoms of strep throat can include:
It's possible for you or your child to have many of these signs and symptoms but not have strep throat. The cause of these signs and symptoms could be a viral infection or some other illness. That's why your doctor generally tests specifically for strep throat.
It's also possible for you to be exposed to a person who carries strep but shows no symptoms.
Call your doctor if you or your child has any of these signs and symptoms:
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Strep throat is caused by infection with a bacterium known as Streptococcus pyogenes, also called group A streptococcus.
Streptococcal bacteria are contagious. They can spread through droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes, or through shared food or drinks. You can also pick up the bacteria from a doorknob or other surface and transfer them to your nose, mouth or eyes.
Several factors can increase your risk of strep throat infection:
Strep throat can lead to serious complications. Antibiotic treatment reduces the risk.
Strep bacteria may spread, causing infection in:
Strep infection may lead to inflammatory illnesses, including:
A possible relationship has been suggested between strep infection and a rare condition called pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with group A streptococci (PANDAS). Children with this condition experience worsened symptoms of neuropsychiatric conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or tic disorders, with strep. This relationship currently remains unproved and controversial.
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For a full list of topics: A-Z Index

Strep Throat: More common in children

Up to 3 in 10 children with a sore throat have strep throat
About 1 in 10 adults with a sore throat has strep throat

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Worried your sore throat may be strep throat? Doctors can do a quick test to see if a sore throat is strep throat. Antibiotics can help people with strep throat feel better faster and prevent spreading it to others.
Viruses are the most common cause of a sore throat. However, strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep).
Group A strep live in the nose and throat and can easily spread to other people. People who are infected spread the bacteria by talking, coughing, or sneezing, which creates small respiratory droplets that contain the bacteria. They can also spread the bacteria from infected sores on their skin.
It usually takes two to five days for someone exposed to group A strep to become ill with strep throat.
It is important to know that some infected people do not have symptoms or seem sick. People sick with strep throat are much more contagious than those who do not have symptoms.
Rarely, people can spread group A strep through food that is not handled properly (visit CDC’s food safety page ).
In general, strep throat is a mild infection, but it can be very painful. The most common symptoms of strep throat include:
Other symptoms may include a headache, stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting — especially in children. Someone with strep throat may also have a rash; when this happens it is known as scarlet fever (scarlatina).
The following symptoms suggest a virus is the cause of the illness instead of strep throat:
A sore throat that starts quickly, pain with swallowing, and fever are some of the common signs and symptoms of strep throat.
Anyone can get strep throat, but there are some factors that can increase the risk of getting this common infection.
Strep throat is more common in children than adults. It is most common in children 5 through 15 years old. It is very rare in children younger than 3 years old.
Adults who are at increased risk for strep throat include:
Close contact with another person with strep throat is the most common risk factor for illness. For example, if someone has strep throat, the bacteria often spread to other people in their household.
Infectious illnesses tend to spread wherever large groups of people gather. Crowded settings can increase the risk of getting a group A strep infection. These settings include:
A doctor will determine what type of illness you have by asking about symptoms and doing a physical exam. If they think you might have strep throat, they will swab your throat to test for strep throat. There are two types of tests for strep throat: a rapid strep test and throat culture.
A rapid strep test involves swabbing the throat and running a test on the swab. The test quickly shows if group A strep is causing the illness. If the test is positive, doctors can prescribe antibiotics. If the test is negative, but a doctor still suspects strep throat, then the doctor can take a throat cu
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