Throat Infection

Throat infection is the inflammation of throat or pharynx that can be caused due to a variety of reasons. It is one of the most common conditions in the world observed in children as well as adults. Most of the time, people use the terms strep throat or sore throat interchangeably; but, all three are different conditions.

Infection in Throat

• Viral Infection: As the name suggests, it is caused due to virus, more specifically the adenovirus. Viral infection spreads faster than the other types and affects people who have a weak immune system for e.g., children and old people. The other viruses that cause infection in throat are rhino virus, corona virus, respiratory syncytial virus, flu virus, parainfluenza virus and the Herpes simplex virus.
• Bacterial Infection: Strep throat and Mycoplasma infection are the two common types of infection caused by bacteria. Strep throat is an infection of the oral pharynx and tonsils by bacteria known as Streptococcus. On the other hand, mycoplasma infection is often associated with bronchitis and pneumonia.

Signs and Symptoms

• Pain in throat
• Discomfort
• Swollen and scratchy throat
• Difficulty and pain while swallowing
• Redness of throat
• Difficulty in speaking
• Low-grade fever
• Cough
• Poor appetite
• Headache

Both, viral and bacterial infections are contagious, i.e., they can be transmitted from one person to the other through the medium of air. If an infected person sneezes or coughs, the virus or the bacteria get mixed with the air and when a healthy person inhales in the same air, he/she contracts the infection. It is also recommended for people suffering from throat infection to stay away from babies and children as they are more prone to infections.

Treatment
If it is caused due to bacterial infection, taking antibiotics is the best treatment method. However it is recommended to take only prescription antibiotics to avoid side effects. On the other hand, one should know that antibiotics prove ineffective against virus and hence, should not be taken in case of viral infections. Taking rest and following some home remedies is the only way of getting rid of the virus from the body. Secondly, one can even use analgesics, lozenges, cough drops and syrups, throat sprays, etc. to get rid of the symptoms and pain.

There are several age-old remedies that are effective in treating throat infections. One of the simplest and common being gargling with salt water. You can add ½ teaspoon salt in 1 cup of lukewarm water and gargle with it 2-3 times a day. Secondly, having hot ginger tea, lemon tea or chicken soup once or twice a day also helps in relieving the pain in the throat. Also, you can have warm milk with ½ teaspoon turmeric powder in it and drink it once or twice a day to ease the discomfort.

As a preventive measure, one should remember that maintaining cleanliness and hygiene helps in preventing infections to a great deal. Lastly, it is always advisable to have a nutritious and a healthy diet to enhance the immune system and keep infections at bay. Take care!