If you’ve been sick with a virus recently, a sore throat may have been one of your symptoms. There are actually three subtypes of sore throat, and they’re distinguished by what part of the throat is affected. The three types are pharyngitis, laryngitis and tonsillitis.
Pharyngitis
Your throat, also known as the pharynx, is a tube made out of muscle tissue that runs from behind your nose to the base of your neck, directing air in and out of the lungs and food into your digestive system. When the tissue that makes up this tube becomes inflamed, you suffer a sore throat, or pharyngitis. Pharyngitis is the most common type of sore throat. It is typically caused by a virus or bacterial infection.
Symptoms of Pharyngitis
- Scratchy, raspy or burning sensation in the throat—particularly the back of the throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing
- Redness in the throat and mouth
Laryngitis
The larynx is located at the front of your neck, a separate tube from the pharynx. Air is pushed up from the lungs and through the larynx, causing two flaps of membrane to vibrate. This makes your voice. Because the larynx is where your voice originates, it’s also called the voice box.
Laryngitis occurs when the voice box is inflamed. This can happen due to a viral infection (like pharyngitis), or it can happen due to overusing your voice after a long day of talking, shouting or singing.
Symptoms of Laryngitis
- Scratchy, raspy or burning sensation in the throat—particularly the front of the throat
- Hoarseness
- Loss of voice
- Change in the sound of your voice
- Pain when speaking
- Coughing
Tonsillitis
When your tonsils become inflamed, it’s classified as tonsillitis. Your tonsils are two fleshy lumps behind your mouth and tongue. They are a part of the immune system; their job is to filter out foreign invaders that enter the body through the nose or mouth. They have their work cut out for them: your airways are a super freeway for viruses and bacteria.
Symptoms of Tonsillitis
- Sore or scratchy throat
- Swollen tonsils (visible in a mirror)
- Redness on the tonsils and in the mouth
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fever (especially in children)
Treating A Sore Throat
Despite the differences between these three conditions, they’re treated very similarly. What matters is what caused the sore throat. If it was caused by a virus or bacterial infection, treat it with rest, plenty of fluids and over-the-counter medications. If the cause was overusing your voice, rest your voice for a day or two and drink warm beverages like tea. In every case, avoid things that can dry out your throat and cause further irritation, such as dry air, air pollution, cigarette smoke, caffeine and alcohol.
If symptoms persist for over a week, if the pain is severe or if you develop an infection, it may be time to consult a medical professional. Treatments may include a prescription for antibiotics or steroids, or an operation like tonsillectomy. Schedule an appointment with an ENT specialist to determine the type of sore throat you have and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Contact ENT & Allergy Specialists – Ear Nose and Throat Physicians and Surgeons today to learn more.