When cold, pollution, fine dust and seasonal viruses raise their crests, the voice lowers.
If it is true that the nose is the first target of winter ailments, our throat is certainly the second. Also because there are so many threats that it receives at this time of year.
Sore throat is often the wake-up call of a cold that is coming. And the fault is certainly one of the many viruses that cause the disorder in the nose. It is accompanied by red or watery eyes, stuffy nose, frequent coughing and sneezing.
Flu viruses can also give the same problem, in which case headache, fever, fatigue and muscle pain will also arise.
When the culprit is a virus, there is no specific cure. To speed up healing it is good to rest, follow a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids.
Antipyretic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be useful,
Specific sprays and tablets can also be used. Avoid the use of antibiotics, which are useless against viruses and only risk creating resistance in the bacteria that normally populate our throat.
When streptococcus is to blame
If the disorder is due to a bacterial infection the symptoms are more severe and include swelling of the throat, redness, loss of appetite, fever, headache.
The streptococcus bacterium spreads by direct contact with an infected person or by sharing personal items. The infection is more common in children, but can also occur in adulthood.
Unlike viral sore throat, rest and a few medications for symptoms are not enough. If it is not properly treated, streptococcal infection, in some cases, can cause serious diseases, such as rheumatic fever, with serious consequences to the valves of the heart.
For this reason it is important to follow an antibiotic treatment that can last up to ten days.
As in all antibiotic therapies, which must always be evaluated by the doctor, also to avoid the risk of prescribing an ineffective drug against the bacterial infection to be treated, it is essential to continue treatment even when you begin to feel better, so as not to risk that the infection resumes.
Smog and fine dust facilitate infection
Pollution and cigarette smoke can give temporary irritation, but they are not the real cause of sore throat.
Smog, fine dust, exhaust gases and various fumes, as well as frequent temperature changes, facilitate the entry of viruses and bacteria.
They weaken the mucosa and sudden changes in temperature slow down blood circulation in the throat, thus preventing the body’s normal defenses from shielding viruses and bacteria.
Add to this the fact that in winter we spend more hours indoors and in these situations it is more likely that viruses and bacteria will pass from one infected individual to another.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.