Cuándo preocuparse por un dolor de garganta

When dealing with a sore throat, how do we know whether to take a paracetamol or book an appointment with our doctor?

They might all lead to a similar sensation, but there are a variety of possible causes for your sore throat.

What causes a sore throat?

"Los dolores de garganta pueden tener varias causas: cuerpos extraños que raspan, alimentarias, reflujo ácido, infecciones por hongos (como candidiasis), swollen glands o incluso cáncer,” explica el Dr. Jeff Foster de H3 Health. "Pero la causa más común es infecciones."

Aunque swollen glands son incómodos, rara vez son un indicador de algo serio. De hecho, más a menudo de lo que piensas, son una buena señal de que tu cuerpo está trabajando para eliminar una infección.

"Any viral or bacterial throat infection can cause swollen glands in the neck. This is normal. In response to the infection the glands 'activate'. They get bigger as they produce more white blood cells which fight infection. They can get sore and tender when activated - but this is a healthy immune response," explains Dr Julie Coffey, of Uber Health Blog.

Do I need antibiotics for a sore throat?

When we hear the word infection, we automatically think of antibiotics. After all, these are meant to target infections, right? However, antibiotic treatment is only effective on bacterial infections. Taking them for a viral infection is pointless, and could weaken our already stressed immune system by harming good bacteria in the gut.

"Tomar antibióticos para infecciones virales puede ser perjudicial para tu salud - también podrías experimentar efectos secundarios," explica Coffey.

The most common of these side effects are:

• Digestive issues.

• Sentirse enfermo o tener diarrea.

• Candidiasis - especialmente en mujeres.

"Antibiotics could also damage the good bacteria in your gut. These are important for many aspects of our health, and ironically our immune system," she adds.

Only a small proportion of sore throats have a bacterial cause.

"Estimations are that in adults only 10% of sore throats are bacterial and need antibiotics," explains Foster. "This is higher in children, but still only 20-30% at the most."

Most doctors use a scoring system called the FeverPAIN Score to decide what the chances of having a strep throat are, to see if antibiotics are needed. The symptoms and signs your doctor would look for are:

• Fever in past 24 hours.

• Absence of cough or coryzal symptoms - runny nose.

• Symptoms less than or equal to 3 days.

• If you open your mouth and shine a torch at the back of your throat, white spots on your tonsils due to pus.

• Severe inflamed tonsils.

En el Reino Unido, a menos que tengas tres o cuatro de estos síntomas, los médicos pueden no recetar antibióticos, porque es muy probable que se deba a una infección viral.

"Most sore throats are not helped by seeing a doctor," agrees Coffey. "A viral sore throat will usually settle within a week."

What treatments might help a sore throat?

A menos que su dolor de garganta sea severo o esté acompañado de otros síntomas preocupantes, vale la pena intentar un poco de autocuidado y esperar. Tomar paracetamol o ibuprofeno para aliviar el dolor y la inflamación puede ayudar, al igual que mantenerse hidratado, o tomar remedios como gárgaras, pastillas o aerosoles para la garganta. Todos estos están disponibles para comprar en su farmacia local.

Home remedies such as gargling warm salt water and adding honey to a hot drink can also help soothe a sore throat.

With proper rest and care, most sore throats should improve without further intervention.

When should I seek medical attention for a sore throat?

Whilst the majority of sore throats can be resolved without visiting your doctor, in certain cases it's important to seek their advice or go to Pharmacy First. For instance - if your sore throat lasts longer than a week, you develop a high temperature, or your sore throat keeps coming back.

Además, si su sistema inmunológico está comprometido, por ejemplo, debido a un tratamiento contra el cáncer, medicamentos como carbimazol o 'fármacos modificadores de la enfermedad', diabetes o VIH infección - es importante obtener asesoramiento adicional sobre el mejor curso de tratamiento.

Although most are little more than a nuisance, in certain cases a sore throat may indicate a more serious problem.

Finalmente, si su dolor de garganta dura más de tres semanas y no está acompañado de un infección del tracto respiratorio superior (resfriado común), es importante buscar consejo médico.

It's reassuring to know, however, that in most cases, sore throats will resolve without additional investigation. In fact, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 85% of sore throats will resolve within a week, and 40% within just three days. However, if you experience any additional symptoms or if your sore throat is particularly persistent, it's worth seeking advice from your pharmacist or doctor.