Throat pain while swallowing is mostly an indication of sore throat. Yet, there can be some other causes behind this condition as well. Read on to know more…
Do you constantly have a feeling of pain as if something is stuck at the back of your throat? Does the pain become worse when you try to swallow something? Well, you could be having sore or strep throat which is often the work of a virus or bacteria. Throat pain while swallowing can present as an independent condition or it may be a symptom of some other disease.
Inflammation of tonsils and pharynx results in tonsillitis and pharyngitis. Tonsillitis or pharyngitis is the most common cause of sore throat or throat pain while swallowing. It can be either due to bacteria or virus. Bacterial pharyngitis is easier to cure as it responds well to antibiotics for strep throat. Viral pharyngitis may stem from common cold or similar infection. The mode of transmission of this virus is direct. The airborne virus comes in contact through the discharged droplets of the infected person. Paracetamol or ibuprofen may prove to be of great help in treating viral infections.
Glandular fever or ‘kissing disease’ is caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Along with sore painful throat, the person also experiences fever. About 95% of the world population has been infected by EBV at some or other point of time. The mode of transmission of this virus is through the saliva, with kissing being the most common means. Therefore, this disease is also called kissing disease. It is more prevalent in teenagers for obvious reasons.
The world has been so terrified with swine flu that even a normal strep throat patient is asked to undergo H1N1 test. This is because one of the major symptoms of swine flu is severe throat pain when swallowing. Broad spectrum antiviral medications are prescribed for swine flu.
Oral cancer or cancer of larynx may cause throat pain which worsens when swallowing. However, the cancer always need not be malignant. The cancer mostly originates in the glottis of the larynx, but eventually spreads to other organs as well.
Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea are also responsible for sore throat and throat pain when swallowing. More often than not, women who perform oral sex on their partners are at risk of contracting the virus responsible for throat pain. Antibiotic drugs can be prescribed to cure it.
Throat pain is likely to subside on its own within a few days, if it’s a bacterial infection or viral infection due to common cold. However, if you feel lumps or notice redness at the back of your throat, you should see a doctor. Even in the absence of lumps, if the pain persists for too long, it is strongly advised that you see a doctor, without delay.
