SORE THROAT

The dry scratchiness and painful swallowing that are the hallmarks of a sore throat — known medically as pharyngitis — can be miserable. Yet a sore throat isn't a disease. Most often, it's a symptom of another illness — usually a viral infection such as a cold or the flu (influenza). In many cases, a sore throat is the first indication that you're getting sick.
Sore throats are so common they're one of the main reasons Americans see a doctor. But many of those office visits aren't necessary. Most sore throats are caused by a virus and go away on their own in about a week. Only a small percentage are bacterial infections that may require medical care.
Bacterial infections are sometimes treated with antibiotics, although drugs don't always speed healing or prevent infections from recurring. And antibiotics aren't effective against viruses, which respond best to self-care measures such as resting and drinking plenty of fluids. Until you're feeling better, salt-water gargles, throat lozenges or warm water with honey and lemon can help make having a sore throat easier to swallow.
A sore throat usually occurs with other signs and symptoms. These can vary considerably, depending on the type of infection you have. Most often, a sore throat accompanies a viral infection
Most sore throats go away without treatment, often within a week or so. That's a good thing, because no medical therapy exists for sore throats caused by viral infections. But increasing your fluid intake and getting extra sleep can help speed your recovery.
When you're sick, choose fluids such as water, soups and broths — not sodas or drinks that contain caffeine, which can dehydrate you further. If you find it extremely painful to swallow, try sipping warm broth through a straw or sucking on ice chips. You may also find that jello slides down easily.
Treating bacterial infectionsAt one time, doctors automatically treated all sore throats with antibiotics, both to cure the infection and to prevent dangerous complications such as rheumatic fever. Now, though, doctors are much less likely to prescribe medication because the overuse of antibiotics has led to an alarming increase in antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. What's more, antibiotics such as penicillin do little to hasten recovery from strep throat or to reduce signs and symptoms, and they don't prevent infections from recurring. Be sure your doctor performs a rapid strep test before prescribing any antibiotic for a sore throat.
If your doctor does recommend antibiotics for you or your child, take the entire course of medication, even if you feel better. This helps prevent the infection from coming back. It also prevents bacteria from becoming resistant to the medication. If children on antibiotic therapy feel well and don't have a fever, they often can return to school or child care when they're no longer contagious — usually 24 hours after beginning treatment.