Self Care

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Sore Throats

 

This can be due to many factors and can be annoying. Low humidity in your home, failing to drink enough fluids, winter dryness, or smoke may be the some of them, but often, sore throats are a sign of infection.

Two types of infections cause sore throats: the more common viral infection, and the less common but more serious bacterial infection.

Viral sore throat	Bacterial Sore Throat
Caused by a virus.	Caused by bacteria
Usually causes a dry cough and a     lighter-colored mucus.	Throat appears very red with white patches or pus and     swollen tons ils and neck glands.
Less likely to be accompanied by a     fever.	Often produces a temperature of over 101° F.
Often associated wirh cold or flu.	Requires treatment with antibiotics.

Symptoms of viral sore throats usually will go away in a few days, but it is not uncommon for symptoms to last 7 to 10 days. These do not benefit from being treated with antibiotics.

For Children :

Fluids are very important for children. Be sure to give them plenty of soups, juice, or water.

Be more concemed with changes in eating or sleeping habits or an unhealthy appearance. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, or a generic) can be used for fever. Do not give aspirin to children or adolescents.

If a child doesn’t feel too tired, staying active is fine.

Teach your children to prevent sore throats and other infections by washing their hands often and keeping their hands away from the face. if your children have been with friends who are infected, these preventive steps may keep the illness from spreading to themselves and others.

Signs and Symptoms :

Difficulty breathing.

Inability to swallow saliva.

Cough that gets worse .

Swollen glands.

Throat very red with white patches or pus and swollen glands.

Temperature at a level you believe to be a fever that lasts longer than 48 hours.

Sore throat develops into chest symptoms with cough getting worse.

Cough that comes and goes.

Dry, sore, itchy throat.

Seems like a cold.

Self care

Drink fluids. Drinking at least eight glasses of fluid a day will soothe your throat and loosen mucus for a more productive cough.

Gargle with warm salt water. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces of water. Mouthwashes don’t prevent or relieve a sore throat and are no note effective than salt water.

Increase the humidity with vaporizers or hot showers. However, since vaporizers can transmit infection, it is important to keep them very clean.