Sore Throat on One Side

A sore throat is always a discomforting condition that accompanies pain and scratchiness in the throat. The soreness could also be a major symptom of any disease related to organs present in the throat or around the tonsils. It's common for most people to suffer from a mild sore throat on one side marking the beginning of a cold and fever, which is generally caused by a viral or bacterial infection. A similar condition accounting for most throat infection cases known as a strep throat, is caused by the streptococcal bacteria and may be also responsible for localized soreness in the throat. This medical condition displays symptoms like white draining patches on the throat accompanied by fever running a temperature that's more than 101⁰F.

Causes
There are no definitive causes of a sore throat on one side. A person may suffer from a sore throat due to critical climatic changes or due to a slack in his own body's immunity. Another significant reason for a sore throat on one side is a throat abscess, also known as a peritonsillar abscess. It is a condition in which the infection from the tonsillitis is transmitted to the soft tissues of the throat. This infection is common amongst adults but very rare in children and infants. Here are some major causes of a sore throat on one side.

• Viral infection
• Common cold
• Chickenpox
• Cold and flu
• Measles
• Infectious mononucleosis
• Pharyngitis
• Bacterial infection
• Tonsillitis
• Strep throat
• Diphtheria
• Uvula infection
• Shouting in a loud voice
• Excessive drinking (alcohol, cold or hot drinks etc.)
• Foreign substances struck in the throat (food, water, or fish bone)
• Endotracheal intubation
• Breathing through the mouth

Another not so common cause of a sore throat on one side could also arise from an infection in the ear. The reason being that the ears and the throat are connected with the help of a hollow canal known as the Eustachian tube. This passage contains air that regulates pressure inside the ears. As a result, if an infection happens to occur in the ear, then there is a possibility of it traveling toward the throat and infecting one side of it.

Symptoms
A sore throat on one side can have several symptoms that vary according to the cause of the pain and the soreness. The most common symptoms of a sore throat on one side being difficulty in swallowing, white pus or patches inside the throat, skin rash, vomiting, nausea, severe headache, sharp throat pain, high fever, or sore tonsils. In some cases, pain may also radiate toward the ears while some people may complain of swollen lymph nodes under the jaw as well as the neck. Development of small blisters on the palate and bad breath can also indicate a sore throat on one side.

Treatment
Treatment for a sore throat on one side can be provided by physician after a proper medical examination. More often than not, a sore throat on one side is caused due to a viral infection that can be cured by recommending a dosage of ibuprofen and paracetamol while, soreness caused due to a bacterial infection is often cured by administering antibacterial drugs like penicillin and erythromycin. There are several over-the-counter medicines and sprays available that can also prove helpful to obtain relief from a sore throat on one side however, it is recommended that you consult a doctor first. The reason being that you will not be able to identify if the infection is viral or bacterial, hence, taking the incorrect drug will turn out ineffective.

Though most cases of a sore throat on one side are episodes that pass by quickly, an important precautionary measure to take is to visit your ENT surgeon and understand how you could go about avoiding such a condition in the first place. Timely medical intervention can definitely help you obtain relief from a sore throat quickly. Take care!