Ultimate Guide to Sore Throat: How to Feel Better
Did you know that a persistent sore throat may be due to more serious problems?
At ENTcare Clinic Singapore, we see many children and adults with sore throat conditions. Guess what? We love to help them get better quickly!
Many patients with persistent or recurrent sore throat symptoms have already tried medications from their GP. These medications usually include painkillers, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. But what are the common causes of a persistent sore throat?
A) Viral Throat Infection
This is the most common cause of sore throat. Sometimes antiviral medications like Paxlovid may have a role if it is due to Covid viral infection. Otherwise, it is symptomatic relief with painkillers, drinking plenty of fluids and going to bed early. Sleep is very important to maintain good immunity so please have an early night when you are feeling unwell with a sore throat.
B) Bacterial Throat Infection (Acute Tonsillitis)
Your tonsils are a pair of round blobs of lymph gland tissue which trap viruses and bacteria. So they are like ticking time-bombs for infection to set in! The tonsils are an important line of defence to fight infection in the young child. But did you know they should get smaller around age 5-8 years of age?
This doesn't always happen! Some teenagers and young adults continue to have enlarged tonsils which keep getting infected. Swollen tonsils may obstruct the airway, making it difficult to breathe at night when asleep. This leads to loud snoring, gasping, choking and apnea episodes where you stop breathing.
You may need a course of strong antibiotics like Amoxicillin or Augmentin to treat your nasty sore throat. If the bacteria causing your sore throat is Streptococcus, then you have Strep throat. This can be very painful. If you find it difficult to swallow, then you may need to be admitted to hospital. This means having IV antibiotics through a small tube in your arm.
C) Acute Pharyngitis
Of course, your sore throat may be due to infection of other parts of the throat apart from your tonsils. Pharyngitis means inflammation of your throat, usually due to viral infection. Symptomatic treatment is again advised with plenty of rest and fluid intake.
D) Acid Reflux (Gastritis)
Severe backflow of stomach acid due to acid reflux may also cause a bad sore throat. The sore throat symptoms may be worse at night, especially after mealtimes. Never lie down to go to bed, after you have just had dinner. This increases the risk of acid rising up from your stomach to spill over into your throat. This may lead to chronic inflammation of the throat lining, made worse by poor diet, stress, alcohol and caffeine.
Dr Annabelle's Tips to Help Your Sore Throat Get Better:
- Drink 6-7 glasses of water to stay well-hydrated
- Avoid spicy and sour foods to minimise throat irritation
- Avoid caffeine as this can have a dehydrating effect on your sensitive throat lining
- Trying some anti-inflammatory lozenges can help to ease your discomfort
- Difflam and other anti-inflammatory throat sprays e.g. Flubiprofen are helpful
- Anti-inflammatory gargles like Difflam-C can soothe your throat
- Avoid clearing your throat repeatedly as this just worsens the problem
- Try an antihistamine like Zyrtec or Telfast to reduce backdrip from your nose irritating your throat
- Using a Sinus rinse to gently clean your nose of any infected secretions dripping down the back of your throat.
- Consider starting a course of anti-reflux medications such as Pariet or Nexium.
About Dr Annabelle Leong
Dr Annabelle Leong 梁翠娟
Senior Consultant ENT Surgeon
MBBS (Hons) (London), BSc (Hons);
DOHNS, MRCS (England), FRCS ORL-HNS (England)
Dr Annabelle Leong is a senior consultant ENT surgeon with more than 25 years of experience across the United Kingdom, Canada and Singapore. From childhood ENT concerns to hearing, balance and sleep problems in adults, she provides care across a broad range of ear, nose and throat conditions.
Known for being a patient and attentive listener, Dr Annabelle takes a sensible, holistic approach to care, considering the wider picture before recommending treatment. She favours conservative options where appropriate, with surgery considered when clinically indicated and appropriate for the patient’s overall care.