Throat Mania

Throat Mania

By Kevin Anderson

BBC News website, Washington

Deep Throat's leaks led to the resignation of Richard Nixon
Woodward and Bernstein look at a display of their Watergate notes
An author says George HW Bush was Deep Throat
One study points to White House aide Fred Fielding as Deep Throat

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Defining moments: Bob Woodward

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Watergate: 30 years on

17 Jun 02 |
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But some 30 years ago two enterprising young reporters at the Washington Post helped topple President Richard Nixon in large part due to a super-secret source known to the world only as Deep Throat.

The source's identity is one of the most enduring mysteries and best-kept secrets in Washington.

The opening of the Watergate archives of Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein has served as the latest pretext for another round of media-fuelled speculation over the identity of Washington's most famous inside source.

Few facts are known about Deep Throat, and Mr Woodward has promised to keep his identity a secret until after his death.

Of the facts that are known, we know that Deep Throat is a man, that he smokes and likes Scotch.

Other than the two reporters, only former Washington Post executive editor Ben Bradlee knows the identity of Deep Throat.

Now, Woodward and Bernstein's Watergate notes, sold for $5m in 2003, are on display in Texas - all the notes apart from material on Deep Throat, that is.

Those notes are being kept at an undisclosed location.

The reporting team made the rounds on American cable channels and were peppered with questions trying to extract every last shred of information about Deep Throat.

But Woodward and Bernstein refused to renege on their promise.

Adding fuel to the fire is a column in the Los Angeles Times by former White House counsel John Dean, who says that sources have told him that Deep Throat is ill.

Mr Bradlee, the former Washington Post editor, has acknowledged that he has already written Deep Throat's obituary, Mr Dean said.

It must be said that apart from these tantalising morsels, Mr Dean remains in the dark.

He knows that it is one of his former colleagues at the White House, but he added: "I'll be damned if I can figure out exactly which one."

Adrian Havill had claimed in a 1993 unauthorised biography of Woodward and Bernstein that Deep Throat was a composite of several sources.

Mr Woodward has denied that theory.

But now Mr Havill believes that Deep Throat is in fact George HW Bush, the father of the current president.

He made his claim on a journalism website last week, saying he came to the conclusion after recent events and a review of documents at the National Archives in Maryland

Why else would current president George W Bush, known to strenuously dislike the press, grant seven hours of interviews to Mr Woodward and urge his cabinet to cooperate, Mr Havill asked.

And the elder Bush had ample motivation to want to rat on Richard Nixon, the author said.

Nixon had dangled the prospect of a number of positions in the administration in front of Mr Bush in 1970s, including a place at the Department of Treasury or even as running mate in 1972, Mr Havill says.

Nixon reneged on these promises, giving Mr Bush reason to want revenge.

However, there are problems with this theory.

By Mr Havill's own admission, Mr Bush wasn't in Washington between 1971 and 1972. He lived in the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, where he served as US ambassador to the United Nations.

And William Gaines, who led a four-year investigation into the identity of Deep Throat with his students at the University of Illinois, said Mr Bush didn't have access to the information that Deep Throat is known to have revealed.

Mr Gaines and his students used an unedited manuscript of Woodward and Bernstein's book All the President's Men and reams of public records including 16,000 pages of FBI records, much of them contained on nine reels of microfilm in the university's library.

They used a process of elimination by taking information linked exclusively to Deep Throat and cross referencing that with who might have had that information in the Nixon White House.

Much of the information that Deep Throat provided to Woodward and Bernstein flowed through John Dean's office.

For instance, Mr Gaines points to an incident when President Nixon's domestic advisor John Ehrlichman told Watergate burglar Howard Hunt to leave Washington the weekend after the bungled burglary.

Only six people were known to have been involved, including Fred Fielding, Mr Dean's deputy.

And time after time, Mr Gaines and his students found that Mr Fielding was one of a handful of people at the White House with information linked to Deep Throat.

And the students believed that the reporting team might have protected Deep Throat in their reports.

They point to a story about Katherine Chenow, secretary to Howard Hunt and fellow Watergate burglar G Gordon Liddy.

She was vacationing in England at the time of the break-in.

John Dean dispatched Mr Fielding to bring her back to the US, in part so that she could be coached before being interviewed by the FBI.

Carl Bernstein wrote about this some five months later after obtaining her phone number.

However, he only said in his story that a member of John Dean's staff had brought her back to the US and did not mention Mr Fielding by name.

Ms Chenow, feeling that she might have been too candid with Mr Bernstein, had called Mr Fielding to discuss the conversation with him.

In notes obtained by the students, they found out that Mr Bernstein knew that the "member of John Dean's staff" was in fact, Mr Fielding.

"To omit the name from the story was the kind of care a reporter would take to coddle a friend and source," the students wrote.

Mr Fielding has denied being Deep Throat, but Mr Woodward has said that Deep Throat has lied to protect his identity.

But if John Dean is correct, and Deep Throat is indeed ill, one of the greatest mysteries in Washington may soon be solved.

Causes of Throat Pain and Treatment Options

Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Ⓒ 2022 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved

Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children.

Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more .

Medically reviewed by
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John Carew, MD, is board-certified in otolaryngology and is an adjunct assistant professor at New York University Medical Center.

Throat pain can be caused by a number of ailments. Some causes, like strep throat and acute laryngitis, are transient and often resolve on their own. Other causes, like acid reflux, can be chronic and require treatment from a healthcare professional. 1

Throat pain and painful swallowing can make it difficult to eat and drink. If severe enough, swallowing problems can lead to weight loss or other problems.

This article will cover the different causes of throat pain and explain when you should see a doctor. It will also offer suggestions for easing a sore throat.

There are many possible causes throat pain. Some include viral infections, bacterial infections, sinus infections, allergies, acid reflux, exposure to irritants, laryngitis, medical procedures, and throat cancer.

Examples include the flu , cold viruses, COVID-19, croup, and mononucleosis . Less commonly, herpangina , measles, and chickenpox may cause a sore throat. 2

Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat. It can cause severe throat pain and painful swallowing. 3 The tonsils may also become very swollen.

A bacteria called Arcanobacterium haemolyticum can also cause throat pain as well as a rash.

Bacterial causes of throat pain need to be treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, strep throat complications can include heart or kidney damage. 4

Your sinuses are a set of hollow cavities in your skull. Bacteria, viruses, and even fungus can infect the sinuses and cause post-nasal drip . 5 This is when mucus runs down the back of the throat. The infected mucus can cause throat pain.

Dust, mold, or dander allergies can cause post-nasal drip that contributes to a sore throat. 6

Stomach acid can enter the esophagus, back of the throat, and mouth while you are sleeping. That's why a sore throat caused by acid reflux is often worse in the morning. Nighttime acid reflux can also wear away the protective enamel on teeth. 7

Irritation from dry air, chemicals, or cigarette smoke can cause a sore throat. This can be made worse by breathing with your mouth open. 8

Laryngitis is an inflammation of your voice box. This can happen when you overuse your voice. Laryngitis can be a problem for singers and other people who use their voices as part of their work. The condition also causes hoarseness and throat pain when talking. 9

Intubation is a procedure where a breathing tube is inserted into the airway. This can cause irritation that leads to throat pain. 10

Breathing tubes are used during surgery or due to illness or injury. The pain is temporary and will usually go away a day or two after the tube is removed.

Throat surgeries like thyroidectomy , or removal of the thyroid, can also cause throat pain. 11

Medical procedures like esophagogastroduodenoscopy ( EGD ) may cause throat pain. During an EGD, an endoscope is inserted through the mouth and into the throat. This procedure is also called an upper endoscopy.

Tumors or other growths associated with throat cancer can cause throat pain. 12 This is not a common cause of sore throat. Other causes are much more likely.

Sore throat and painful swallowing can have many causes. Viral and bacterial infections, allergies, acid reflux, and environmental irritants are all potential causes of throat pain.

If your sore throat lasts more than a week and you do not know its cause, see a doctor. Your doctor will need to rule out serious conditions that might lead to dangerous health problems.

If your throat pain is caused by an infection, you will probably have other symptoms. These may include:

See a doctor if you have extreme pain or severe swelling of the tonsils. Throat pain accompanied by a rash is often bacterial. A doctor can decide if you need antibiotics.

It is hard to tell the difference between bacterial and viral throat pain. Strep throat can lead to serious complications if left untreated, so when in doubt, get tested.
Almost any healthcare provider can perform a strep test. This includes family practitioners and urgent care providers.

A sore throat with post-nasal drip is rarely cause for concern. 14 Still, if it lasts longer than a few weeks, you should see a doctor. Your family doctor is a good place to start, but you may also need to see an allergist . An allergist can determine if allergies are the cause of your throat pain.

If you have throat pain that is worse in the morning or is accompanied by stomach pain and heartburn , it could be acid reflux. This requires a doctor's diagnosis. It is not an emergency, but it does need to be treated.

Family doctors and general practitioners often diagnose acid reflux. They can perform diagnostic tests or refer you to a specialist if needed.

Over-the-counter and prescription medications can treat throat pain related to acid reflux. 15 It is still important to see a healthcare provider for an initial diagnosis, though. This will help rule out any serious conditions.

Throat pain that happens just after you have had general anesthesia or a breathing tube inserted is probably not cause for concern. If the throat pain does not go away within a few days, though, you may want to contact your doctor.

Some surgeries, such as a thyroidectomy, can cause throat pain on their own, so keep this in mind. 16

The following conditions are actual emergencies. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have throat pain with:

Many sore throats can be treated at home. If your throat pain lasts more than a week or it is hard to swallow or breathe, see a doctor.

There are many different ways to diagnose throat pain. A doctor may examine you, look at your medical history, or order tests and/or imaging. 17

A throat culture is a test where the back of the throat is brushed with a long cotton swab. 18 The swab is usually sent to a laboratory to be analyzed for bacteria. If it is a rapid strep test, you will get immediate results.

Rapid strep tests can sometimes produce false negatives. 19 For this reason, the throat culture is usually sent to the lab for further testing. You may get a call in a day or two to confirm a strep throat diagnosis.

A sore throat that is caused by sinusitis or infections of the nasal passageways may be diagnosed with a throat culture. The clinician may also take samples of your sputum , which is the material you cough up. 20

Blood tests or allergy skin tests can tell a doctor if your sore throat is caused by allergies.

During a skin test, a clinician exposes you to an allergen—something you may be allergic to—through a tiny scratch in your skin. If you are allergic, you will have a reaction. 21 Blood tests can also look for antibodies (immune system proteins) to specific allergens.

The results of skin testing are available immediately. Blood test results may take a few days.

A trial of acid reflux medication can help your doctor find the cause of your sore throat. If you respond to the medication, your doctor may diagnose you with acid reflux. 22

Similarly, a trial of antihistamine medication can help your doctor diagnose allergies. This may be done before allergy testing.

Medical imaging including computed tomography (CT) scans , ultrasounds, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can be used to diagnose throat pain. This may be done if the suspected cause is a lump or growth, or sinusitis.

Acid reflux and similar problems are often diagnosed with an upper endoscopy. 23

Another test that can be used is a barium swallow . 24 During this test, you will be asked to drink a thick solution containing barium. The barium coats your esophagus and stomach to make them visible on x-rays.

Your doctor will also do a physical exam to look at your throat and feel your neck. You'll also be asked about your symptoms and health history.

Your doctor will examine you for lumps or bumps in the throat. A lump or bump that accompanies a sore throat could be a lymph node. It could also be something more concerning. 25 If your doctor can not identify it as a lymph node, you may need a biopsy.

Throat pain can be diagnosed a number of different ways. You may need lab tests or imaging. A doctor may also diagnose you based on your symptoms.

There are a few options for treating your sore throat . Many of these can be started right away. 26

Some simple steps can help ease your sore throat:

There are a variety of medications available for treating the causes of throat pain. Other medications can treat sore throat symptoms.

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections like strep throat. 27 They do not work against viruses. This treatment may be a one-time injection or oral antibiotics taken over a period of time.

Make sure to let your doctor know if you have any drug allergies. There are many alternative antibiotics you can take if you are allergic to penicillin or another antibiotic.

Antihistamines can help your allergy symptoms. 28 When you contact an allergen like pollen, mold, or dander, your body releases histamine. Histamine plays a role in the sensation of pain, so taking an antihistamine ca
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