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Experiencing a sore throat? Numerous illnesses could be responsible for this symptom, especially the flu.
A rise in cases, fueled by a mutated 'superflu' variant, caused concern leading up to the festive season, as thousands required hospitalization due to severe illness.
There are actually three types of sore throat based on the location of the inflammation.Credit: Getty
The number of infections decreased during the holiday season, with 2,676 patients hospitalized in the week ending December 28, down from 3,061 the previous week.
National medical director Professor Meghana Pandit stated: “It is encouraging to observe a decline in hospital admissions due to flu, largely thanks to the remarkable efforts of NHS staff, with over half a million more people vaccinated against flu compared to the same time last year.”
However, he emphasized that the NHS is “far from complacent,” particularly as the cold weather adds extra strain on services.
“It is crucial for the public to continue using 999 and A&E only for life-threatening emergencies and to utilize NHS 111 and 111 online for other health concerns,” Prof Pandit advised.
“If you are eligible and have not yet received your flu vaccination, please come forward – it’s not too late.”
This year’s flu surge is believed to be driven by a strain known as ‘subclade K’ or H3N2.
This strain has mutated several times, differing from the viruses we typically encounter each flu season, resulting in lower immunity among the population.
A sore throat can be one of the symptoms of this virus, along with body aches, fatigue, and fever.
If you have a sore throat, you may experience pain while swallowing, a scratchy sensation, and possibly a mild cough.
This common ailment can stem from various causes, and each type of sore throat necessitates different treatment approaches.
Dr. Sarah Jarvis, a clinical consultant for Patient.info , and Dr. Leyla Hannbeck, pharmacist and CEO of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, explained to The Sun that there are three types of sore throat:
- Laryngitis
- Pharyngitis
- Tonsillitis
You may notice that all the conditions listed here end with ‘-itis’.
This suffix means “inflammation,” according to Dr. Jarvis.
“The type of ‘-itis’ you have when experiencing a sore throat depends on which part of your throat is infected,” she clarified.
According to the GP, all three types can lead to a sore, dry, irritated throat, and sometimes a fever.
“You may also have a cough and symptoms resembling a cold,” she added.
However, there may be some differences in symptoms as well.
1. Laryngitis
Laryngitis refers to the inflammation of the larynx – also known as your voice box, which allows you to produce sounds.
Your larynx is a hollow tube located in the middle of your neck, positioned just above your windpipe and behind your esophagus – the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach.
In addition to facilitating speech, the larynx allows air to flow through your windpipe – known as the trachea – into your lungs.
Laryngitis is “typically associated with loss of voice, hoarseness, sore throat, cough, and sometimes fever,” Dr. Hannbeck noted.
Dr. Jarvis added that “you are more likely to experience a cough and a hoarse voice” with this type of sore throat.
2. Pharyngitis
Pharyngitis is the inflammation located at the back of the throat, known as the pharynx, according to Dr. Jarvis.
This area is situated behind the mouth and nasal cavity.
The GP explained that “you will often experience more pain, and you may have painful swallowing” with pharyngitis.
Jacquie Lee, an information pharmacist at Numark, shared that the following symptoms are common with this type of sore throat:
- A sore or scratchy throat
- Painful swallowing
- The back of the throat may appear red and swollen
- Hoarseness or temporary loss of voice due to inflammation of the vocal cords
- A dry or productive cough
- Fever in some cases
3. Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis, which is perhaps the most recognized type, refers to the inflammation of the tonsils,” Dr. Jarvis explained.
“These are lymph nodes located in the back of the mouth and the top of
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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