A sore throat, otherwise called pharyngitis, commonly contains discomfort, itching, or irritation that frequently worsens when you swallow. A viral contagion, such as the flu or a cold, is the most frequent cause of pharyngitis, causing a painful throat. Numerous bacterial and viral agents can bring on chronic pharyngitis. This phenomenon is responsible for about 12 million outpatient visits.
Pharyngitis is more common during the colder seasons of the year. It's crucial to determine the source of a sore throat to address it effectively. Here is a resource to help you understand chronic pharyngitis in-depth and respond appropriately without having to wait!
Symptoms of acute and chronic pharyngitis are interchangeable. In general, if chronic pharyngitis symptoms persist for more than ten days, the illness is considered chronic. Typical red flags include:
The incubation period for pharyngitis is 2 to 5 days. Pharyngitis is contagious, as long as symptoms persist. If pharyngitis occurs as a result of a bacterial infection, taking antibiotics can lessen the vulnerability of your bacterial pharyngitis becoming chronic. In most cases of bacterial origin, taking an effective antibiotic for 24 hours makes you no longer contagious. Medications are also available for microbial pharyngitis and typically result in a recovery period of 2 to 3 days.
The most frequent cause of a sore throat involves viruses and pathogens. Viral infections like the common cold, and the flu, are the most frequent causes of pharyngitis.
Causes of a persistent sore throat include:
Common allergies include certain foods, particularly plants, pet hair, dust, and pollen. If you have sensitivities to things you breathe in, you are likely to experience a persistent sore throat or chronic pharyngitis.
Weather changes, certain medications, hot foods, and other factors may cause postnasal drip. This experience results in a chronic raw, painful, or scratchy throat.
Chronically breathing via your mouth, especially while sleeping, might cause recurring sore throats.
Chronic pharyngitis may result from mouth cancers. Cancer's form, stage, and density determine the exact treatment.
The following are chronic pharyngitis risk factors:
The underlying source of chronic pharyngitis determines the course of treatment. Your healthcare practitioner will make a suitable recommendation after determining the cause of your sore throat. Possible sources include:
Antibiotics are typically used to treat tonsillitis. Your doctor could advise a tonsillectomy if the disease continues to occur.
Smoke, chemicals, or other environmental toxins may occasionally bring on chronic pharyngitis. In these circumstances, you must avoid any circumstances that expose you to these stressors. This should accelerate recovery and lessen symptoms.
Inhalers and other over-the-counter drugs frequently work to treat chronic pharyngitis brought on by allergies. Further evaluation by an ENT may be recommended.
Some alterations in lifestyle, such as lowering stress, dropping weight, and changing diet intake, may be advantageous for those who experience laryngopharyngeal reflux. Certain medications can also aid with symptom relief and alleviate chronic pharyngitis.
If you have a persistent sore throat, the first step toward recovery is seeing a reliable Urgent Care specialist. Visit us at 8-2-8 Urgent Care walk-in clinic in Oceanside, CA, and we aim to treat your ailments with cutting-edge techniques. Our board-certified Doctors and Physician Assistants can help you live a healthy, pain-free life by accurately identifying and treating a wide range of throat disorders.
Contact 8-2-8 Urgent Care, and our staff will walk you through our online check-in from the convenience of home! Call (760) 216-6253.
