Sore Throat
Most people are familiar with the scratchy feeling in the throat that signals a sore throat. While most sore throats resolve on their own, some can be persistent or recurrent. When this happens, your sore throat may indicate more than a simple infection.
To determine if your sore throat is a symptom of a serious underlying condition, consult a throat specialist in Singapore. At Aglow ENT Centre, our Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist is trained to assess and manage symptoms related to ear, nose, and throat conditions, including persistent sore throats.
What is Sore Throat?
A sore throat, medically termed pharyngitis, is a common condition characterised by discomfort, pain, or scratchiness in the throat. This problem typically occurs when the tissues in the pharynx – the muscular tube connecting the mouth to the oesophagus – become inflamed or irritated.
The pharynx, comprising three segments – the Naso-pharynx, Oro-pharynx, and Hypo-pharynx – plays a crucial role in the digestive and respiratory systems. During swallowing, food or liquid is pushed through the pharynx, ensuring it reaches the oesophagus and then the stomach for digestion. Any inflammation or pathology affecting this muscular tube can result in a sore throat.
Symptoms of Sore Throat
Symptoms may vary among individuals depending on the cause of their sore throat. Some of the common symptoms observed include:
- Pain or a scratchy sensation in the throat
- Pain when swallowing, eating, or drinking
- Difficulty talking
- Abnormal change in voice quality (hoarseness)
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or jaw area
In addition, the body may display other signs often associated with infections, such as:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Blocked or runny nose
- Body aches
When such symptoms occur, patients may let their sore throat run its course with rest and rely on over-the-counter (OTC) medication for pain relief. However, you are recommended to seek an ENT specialist for prompt treatment if you experience any of the following accompanying symptoms:
- High fever over 38°C
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing or drooling
- Earache
- Visible lump in neck or neck swelling
- Blood in saliva or phlegm
- Joint pain or swelling
- Rash
- Severe throat or neck pain
- Signs of dehydration
- Frequent recurring sore throat or one that lasts for more than 2 weeks
Causes of Sore Throat
Throat inflammation is often caused by a viral infection, which resolves within a few days. Less commonly, bacterial infections can also lead to sore throats.
However, if you notice that you frequently experience a sore throat, it may indicate an underlying issue. Repeated sore throats in an individual could potentially be due to one of the following conditions:
- Tonsillitis, Laryngitis, or Pharyngitis: Infections affecting parts of the throat, such as the tonsils (tonsillitis), larynx (laryngitis), or pharynx (pharyngitis), can cause throat pain, often presenting as a sore throat. Depending on the specific infection and its severity, an ENT specialist can prescribe a corresponding treatment.
- Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR): This condition occurs when stomach acid flows back into the throat, irritating the tissue lining and leading to soreness and discomfort. It differs from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), in which acid travels up the oesophagus.
- Sinusitis: The sinuses are natural spaces inside the nose and head. When an infection occurs, the sinuses can become swollen and inflamed. This builds up mucus inside the nose, which can drip down the back of the throat, known as ‘postnasal drip’. When this happens, patients are at risk of developing a sore throat.
- Smoking: When a person smokes, they are inhaling hot, dry air and toxic chemicals that could directly irritate the sensitive tissue lining of the throat. As such, chronic smokers tend to be at higher risk of developing frequent sore throats.
Less common causes of sore throats include abscesses, infection of the small flap covering the voice box (epiglottitis), and tumours. However, these underlying conditions should not be taken lightly, as they could block the airway.
How does a Throat Specialist in Singapore Diagnose Sore Throat?
To help with a proper diagnosis, an ENT specialist will typically require a patient’s medical history to understand the patient’s current condition better.
Subsequently, your ENT specialist may also carry out the following procedure to obtain an accurate diagnosis:
- Physical Examination: Your doctor will check for any swollen glands in the neck and jaw area that could indicate signs of infection or inflammation.
- Throat Swab: Your doctor may also collect a sample from the back of your throat for lab testing, which could reveal the type of virus or bacteria causing the specific infection.
- Naso-Endoscopy: Your doctor will insert a flexible tube with a camera attached via the nose to visually examine the inside of your throat for inflammation or signs of infection. This procedure may require local anaesthesia for the patient’s comfort.
What are the Treatment Options Available for Sore Throat?
Specific medications such as antibiotics are unnecessary for patients whose sore throats are caused by a viral infection, as they do not work against viruses. Instead, patients may resort to the following home-based treatments:
- Stay hydrated
- Rest the throat
- Take lozenges
- Gargling with a salt solution or an antiseptic mouthwash to help relieve symptoms
- Pain or fever relievers can be taken to manage discomfort if needed, especially in children, to help them continue eating and drinking.
In cases of bacterial infection, antibiotics will be prescribed, and it is essential to complete the full course as directed. If your diagnosis suggests an underlying ENT condition, your treatment plan will focus on addressing the root cause. This may involve medication or, in some cases, surgical intervention.
When should you see a Throat Specialist in Singapore for Sore Throat?
If you notice that your symptoms have not improved over time and have lasted for more than a week, you should consult an ENT specialist. The same goes if you are experiencing recurring sore throats.
You should also schedule an appointment with an ENT specialist if you experience severe symptoms such as high fever, difficulty breathing, or swallowing. Failure to seek treatment could lead to further complications, such as the presence of pus or even a blocked throat due to swelling.
You can visit Dr Ker Liang, an experienced ENT specialist in Singapore and Medical Director of Aglow ENT Centre, for prompt diagnosis and sore throat treatment. Dr Ker Liang sees both adult and paediatric patients for their ear, nose, and throat conditions and is dedicated to prioritising each patient’s unique needs with a tailored treatment approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can mouth breathing cause sore throat?
Yes, as mouth breathing causes dryness in the throat, which irritates the tissue linings.
Is sore throat contagious?
It can be contagious if the source of infection is a virus.
How to cure a sore throat fast?
For sore throats from a viral infection, you should drink plenty of water, rest your throat, and gargle a salt solution for fast recovery.
What food and drinks should I avoid if I have a sore throat?
Avoid consuming anything that could further irritate the throat, such as dry, spicy, and acidic food or alcohol.
Medical Teaching
Assistant Professor Ker Liang has a passion for teaching and is an Assistant Professor with NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (YLLSOM). As the NUS-NUH Otolaryngology Department Undergraduate Medical Director, Dr Ker Liang supervises the training of medical students from YLLSOM, NUS. She is actively involved
in the training of postgraduate junior doctors and residents in the Head and Neck Surgery department. She was conferred with an Undergraduate Teaching Award by the National University Health System in 2016 for her outstanding efforts as an Otolaryngology educator.
Medical Teaching
Assistant Professor Ker Liang has a passion for teaching and is an Assistant Professor with NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (YLLSOM). As the NUS-NUH Otolaryngology Department Undergraduate Medical Director, Dr Ker Liang supervises the training of medical students from YLLSOM, NUS. She is actively involved
in the training of postgraduate junior doctors and residents in the Head and Neck Surgery department. She was conferred with an Undergraduate Teaching Award by the National University Health System in 2016 for her outstanding efforts as an Otolaryngology educator.
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