Sore Throat

If you’re suffering from a sore throat, visit Bristol & First Medical Clinic & Urgent Care to receive prompt care. Our experienced team will examine your throat, assess any other coexisting symptoms, and provide any necessary tests in order to determine the cause of your sore throat and effectively treat it.

If you’re seeking treatment for your sore throat, know that no appointment is necessary to visit Bristol & First Medical Clinic & Urgent Care. Walk-in appointments are welcome at our Santa Ana location.

About Sore Throats

A sore throat can feel painful, dry, burning, tender, irritated, raw, or scratchy. There are three different types of sore throats: pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and laryngitis. These types of sore throats are categorized by which part of the throat they affect. Pharyngitis affects the area immediately behind the mouth, tonsillitis affects the tonsils (the soft tissue in the back of the mouth), and laryngitis affects the larynx (the voice box).

A sore throat is a common symptom of numerous types of medical issues. Most commonly, sore throats are caused by viral infections, but they can also be caused by bacterial infections and various types of irritation.

To treat a sore throat, it’s important to discover the root cause of your sore throat. Some sore throats can be treated with home remedies or over-the-counter medicines, while other types of sore throats may require treatment with antibiotics. Then, some types of sore throats can be chronic and a patient may need to make lifestyle changes or take medication regularly to alleviate their chronic sore throat issues.

Below, see an overview of some of the common causes of sore throats.

Common Causes of a Sore Throat

Viral Infections: Viral infections are the most common cause of sore throats. Around 90% of all sore throats are caused by viral infections. Some of the most common viral infections that cause a sore throat include the common cold and the flu.

Bacterial Infections: Bacterial infections can also cause a sore throat. The most common type of bacterial infection that causes a sore throat is strep throat, a notoriously painful type of bacterial infection that affects the throat and tonsils. Another common type of bacterial infection that can cause a sore throat is tonsillitis.

Dry Air: Dry air can cause a sore throat by removing moisture from the throat. Exposure to dry air is more common during winter when the air is colder and more dry.

Allergies: Allergies can cause our immune system to react to substances we are allergic to, which can cause a sore throat. Postnasal drip, which can irritate the throat and cause it to become inflamed, is a common allergy symptom.

Throat Muscle Strain: The throat muscles can become strained and irritated when we yell,
speak loudly, or speak for long periods of time.

Irritation: The throat can become irritated and sore when it’s exposed to outdoor pollution or indoor pollution. A common pollutant that irritates the throat is cigarette smoke. The throat can also become irritated due to drinking alcohol or eating spicy foods.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD, a chronic type of acid reflux, happens when acid from the stomach rises into our esophagus and causes irritation. GERD can cause a sore throat and is also often accompanied by a hoarse voice, heartburn, or feeling like you have a lump in your throat.

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