A common complaint, sore throat may be local or it may be part of a serious illness. Tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils) and abscesses in the tissues of the tonsillar area are examples of localized throat conditions. Laryngitis is the inflammation of the voice box. Diphtheritic and streptococcal sore throat are conditions with marked systemic effects. Streptococcal sore throat resembles scarlet fever, but differs from it clinically in the absence of a skin rash.
Most sore throats are associated with the winter ailments of coughs and colds. Some are caused by the inhalation of irritants or the consumption of too much tobacco. Most are relatively mild, though in some the tonsils or larynx may be inflamed.
Tonsillitis
This is the inflammation of the tonsils, the fleshy lumps on either side of the back of the throat. The symptoms are soreness of the throat, difficulty and pain in swallowing, and a general feeling of being ill with headache, chilliness, and aches all over, all of which come on fairly suddenly. The patient may find it difficult to open his mouth. He also looks ill and has a flushed face. The tonsils will be swollen, red, and covered with many yellow spots or streaks containing pus. The tonsillar lymph glands become enlarged and can be felt as tender swellings behind the angles of the jaw on one or both sides. The temperature and pulse rate are normally raised. If treatment does not appear to be helping after 2-3 days, glandular fever should be considered as an alternative diagnosis. Feel in the armpits and groin for enlarged glands indicating glandular fever.
Laryngitis
This is inflammation of the voice box, or larynx, the area that includes the Adam's apple. In addition to the more general causes mentioned for sore throat, the inflammation might be caused by overuse of the voice. There is generally a sense of soreness of the throat, pain on swallowing, and a constant dry irritating cough, while the voice is usually hoarse and may be lost altogether. Usually the temperature is found to be normal, and the patient does not feel ill. Occasionally, however, there is a slight fever, and in other cases bronchitis may be present.