Sore Throat / Tonsillitis / "Strep throat" Treatment:

A virus is the most common cause of a sore throat, such as:

• Common cold or flu
• Measles
• Mononucleosis
• Chickenpox
• Croup (childhood illness w/barking cough

A bacteria can also be a cause, such as:

• “Strep throat” (Pharyngitis) due to Streptococcus pyogenes (90% of sore throat), or Group A streptococcus
• Respiratory infections:
  • Whooping cough
  • Diptheria

Other problems that may cause a sore throat:

• Tonsillitis (inflamed tonsils)
• Laryngitis (inflamed voice box)
• Epiglottitis (Inflamed epiglottis)
• Glandular fever
• Quinsy (peritonsillar abscess). Pus-filled pocket forms near the tonsils at the back of the throat causing pain.
• Other causes include irritants (e.g. chemicals, alcohol, smoking / chewing tobacco), allergies, dry air, overuse of voice, excessive vomiting or GERD (due to acid irritation in throat), HIV (due to secondary infection)

Symptoms

Bacterial and viral infections have some common symptoms:

• Redness of the throat
• Red swollen tonsils

A bacterial infection may have additional symptoms, including:

• Swollen uvula
• White spots on tonsils
• Furry gray tongue