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Sore Throat Symptoms, causes and cures... With pharyngitis, a virus or bacterium irritates your throat, or pharynx. Both viral and bacterial forms of pharyngitis can make your throat sore and make swallowing difficult. If you have a severe case, you may find it hard to breathe. Most cases of acute pharyngitis last a few days with treatment. If you smoke, face regular exposure to environmental irritants, or have a continuing infection in your sinuses, lungs, or mouth, you may develop chronic pharyngitis, in which your symptoms will come back from time to time. The viral form of pharyngitis usually accompanies a cold, flu, or mononucleosis. Strep throat is the best-known example of a bacterial form of pharyngitis. Signs and Symptoms The symptoms of pharyngitis include the following.
What Causes It? Viruses or bacteria infect the pharynx—your throat—and cause it to swell. That accounts for the soreness and difficulties in swallowing. Viruses that cause pharyngitis usually come into your body with a cold, the flu, or a similar infection. Bacteria that cause the disease can enter the body through open wounds, skin infections, and common routes of sexually transmitted diseases. What to Expect at Your Provider's Office Your health care provider will examine your throat and take a swab from it to test whether a virus or bacteria have caused the infection. The provider may also take a blood sample to check your white blood cell count, which can determine the cause of your pharyngitis. Treatment Options Treatment Plan Bacterial pharyngitis is treated traditionally with antibiotics. Viral pharyngitis is treated with rest and over-the-counter pain medicines. If you have the viral type, avoid irritants such as smoke and cold air. Do not drink alcohol. Gargling several times a day with half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water reduces discomfort. If you want fast results try gargling with some HCL Colloidal Silver Solution to eliminate all infection swiftly. Drug Therapies Prescription
Over the Counter
Complementary and Alternative Therapies Strep infection should be treated with antibiotics. Alternative treatments can be effective in cases of acute, chronic, or recurrent pharyngitis. Nutrition
Herbs Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day.
Homeopathy Some of the most common remedies used for pharyngitis are listed below. Usually, the dose is 12X to 30C every one to four hours until your symptoms get better.
Physical Medicine Chiropractic treatment may be a helpful adjunct, especially in children. Acupuncture Acupuncture may be helpful in improving immune function. Massage Massage can reduce the effects of stress. Following Up Acute pharyngitis usually goes away within a week or two. Check with your health care provider if you still have symptoms after that time. Special Considerations Do not use goldenseal during pregnancy. Supporting Research Berkow R, ed. Merck Manual. 16th ed. Rahway, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories; 1992. Larson DE, ed. Mayo Clinic Family Health Book. 2nd ed. New York, NY: William Morrow and Company; 1996. Lewis WH, Elvin-Lewis MPF. Medical Botany/Plants Affecting Man's Health. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons; 1977. Morrison R. Desktop Guide to Keynotes and Confirmatory Symptoms. Albany, Calif: Hahnemann Clinic Publishing; 1993:5, 28.
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