Not all sore throats are created equally. Many factors can cause a sore throat, and irritation can occur in various areas of the throat. Due to these variables, sore throats are commonly organized into three subtypes: pharyngitis, laryngitis and tonsillitis. Let’s discuss the differences between the three so you can understand how to manage your symptoms best the next time you have a sore throat.
Parts of the Throat
Your throat, also called the pharynx, extends from behind your nose to the bottom of the neck. It is a tube that channels air from your nose to your lungs and food from your mouth to your stomach. It’s mostly made out of muscle tissue.
Your tonsils are located near the top of the throat, behind your tongue and mouth. You have two of them, one on either side, and they are round and fleshy. They are part of the immune system, containing an army of white blood cells that kill germs that enter through your nose and mouth and fight infections.
Down a bit further within the throat, on the front of your neck, is the voice box, or larynx. The larynx is a tube with two flaps of membrane. When you speak, air comes up from your lungs and through the two membranes, causing them to vibrate and create your voice.
Pharyngitis
If your sore throat is caused by swelling in the muscle tissue of the throat itself, it is classed as pharyngitis. This is the most common type of sore throat, characterized by a scratchy, raspy feeling throughout the throat. As the throat directs both breathing and swallowing, both processes will be impacted by inflammation, resulting in symptoms such as raspy breathing and difficulty swallowing.
Viruses or viral infections, such as the common cold, the flu, or COVID-19, cause the vast majority of pharyngitis cases, followed by bacterial infections, including strep throat. Pharyngitis may also be caused by an irritant lodging in the throat tissue and irritating it, such as air pollution or cigarette smoke.
Laryngitis
Laryngitis occurs when the larynx experiences inflammation and irritation, causing discomfort. Its most prominent symptom, alongside the uncomfortable soreness, is hoarseness or loss of voice. Laryngitis, like pharyngitis, can be caused by an infection or by overusing or straining your voice, which may occur after prolonged screaming, talking, or singing.
Tonsillitis
The tonsils may be a part of the immune system, but that doesn’t mean they can’t become infected themselves. If the tonsils become infected, they will swell and turn red; you’ll probably be able to see them in a mirror. You’ll experience difficulty swallowing and, often, a fever with tonsillitis.
Treating a Sore Throat
How you treat a sore throat depends on what part of the throat is affected and what caused it. If a virus or bacterial infection caused your sore throat—which could be pharyngitis, laryngitis or tonsillitis—treat the infection to treat the sore throat: get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids and take over-the-counter pain relievers. If you’re feeling hoarse after overusing your voice, rest your voice box and drink warm beverages to soothe the irritation. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can dry out the throat and irritate it further.
If symptoms persist for over a week, if the pain becomes too much to bear or if an infection keeps recurring, it may be time to consult a medical professional. Schedule an appointment with an ENT specialist to determine the type of sore throat you have and develop a personalized treatment plan. Contact Blue Ridge ENT today to learn more.