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Cure Sore Throat
Sore throats or sore throat infection are usually caused by one of four things. Viruses, allergies, bacteria and environmental factors, like dry air or exposure to smoke, are the leading causes of sore throats.
Curing a sore throat caused by a cold-type virus can be difficult as antibiotics do not work to fight viruses. Viral sore throat infections usually must be allowed to run their course. Most symptoms caused by common cold-type viruses will go away in a week to 10 days. Sore throat pain caused by Mononucleosis (mono) is a bit more serious and another situation where antibiotics will not cure a sore throat. Mono is a longer-lasting viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Over-the-counter medications can reduce the symptoms of mono, but will not cure it.
Sore throats caused by allergies or exposure to other environmental factors are usually treated by avoiding the places and things that trigger allergic reactions. Curing a sore throat caused by an allergy may require antihistamines or other medications to help alleviate the symptoms, but antibiotics will not cure an allergic reaction.
Sore throat remedies for sore throats caused by a bacterial infection can be accomplished using antibiotics. Strep throat is a type of sore throat caused by a Streptococcus bacterial infection. Left untreated, strep throat can cause rheumatic fever, a serious condition which can damage the valves of the heart. Penicillin and Erythromycin are the most common antibiotics used to cure a sore throat due to strep.
Another cause of sore throat can be tonsillitis. Tonsillitis is swelling of the tonsils at the back of the throat and can cause a painful sore throat and other symptoms. Most often Tonsillitis is caused by bacterial infection and can be treated with antibiotics similar to those used for a strep throat. The most drastic cure for a sore throat caused by tonsillitis is surgery, or a tonsillectomy to remove the tonsils entirely if they have swollen to the point where breathing becomes difficult.