A sore throat is perhaps the most unpleasant symptom of the cold. Swallowing food becomes an ordeal and even something as easy as talking causes pain. It is very annoying even when we have the throat in a state of rest due to the constant sensation of irritation and bad taste in the mouth.
Although there is no cure for a sore throat caused by the cold virus, there is there are ways to help people feel more comfortablesuch as drinking hot liquids, gargling with warm salt water, sucking on ice cubes, or taking over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or suckers.
However, before betting on any of these methods to relieve a sore throat, it is important to rule out that it is pharyngitis or tonsillitis. Symptoms caused by strep are often more severe than those of the cold virus, and include a sudden sore throat, loss of appetite, pain when swallowing, bad breath, swollen lymph glands in the neck or red tonsils with white spots, and fever. If we suspect that we have pharyngitis or tonsillitis, we must go to the doctor to start the corresponding treatment.
If, on the other hand, your sore throat is accompanied by a runny nose, sneezing, cough, mild headache, mild body aches and fever, it is very likely that you are caused by the common cold virus. And if the sore throat comes on its own, that is, without any other symptoms, it may be due to smoking, pollution, air irritants, allergies or a dry environment, but if this type of pain persists, make an appointment. with the doctor to determine that everything is in order through a check-up.