Throat infections
Throat infections are a very common form of illness that we have all experienced at some time. They are usually mild and easy to treat although they can turn nasty on occasion. If they do then medical treatment is required. This can be over the counter medication or prescription medicine from your GP.
So what are the most common throat infections?
These include:
- Strep throat
- Tonsillitis
- Laryngitis
- Pharyngitis
- Diptheria
- Bacterial throat infections
- Viral throat infections
- Glandular fever
- Throat polyps
- Quinsy
- Candidiasis
Each of these is discussed separately within this section of the guide.
Both adults and children develop sore throats although children are particularly prone to infections such as tonsillitis and enlarged adenoids. In most cases they grow out of these but severe cases will require surgery.
This is discussed in more detail in our sore throat and children section.
Throat infections can be grouped into the following categories:
- Viral infections
- Bacterial infections
- Fungal infections
These all cause a sore throat, a scratchy feeling at the back of the throat and difficulty with swallowing. These symptoms are common to many throat infections.
Other symptoms include swollen glands in the neck, nausea, swollen or white patches on the tonsils and a general feeling of being unwell.
Most throat infections clear up without any ill effects or can be treated at home. However, a sore throat or throat infection can be a side effect of certain forms of medication or medical conditions such as underactive thyroid or diabetes.
In some cases a throat infection can be a symptom of a serious disease such as cancer or AIDS.
Sore Throat Guide
- Sore Throat
- Throat anatomy
- Adenoids
- Tonsils
- Epiglottis
- Uvula
- Larynx
- Pharynx
- Vocal cords
- Trachea
- How the throat works
- Coughing
- Speech
- Swallowing
- Causes of a sore throat
- Throat related problems
- Dysphonia
- Dysphagia
- Throat ulcers
- Globus pharyngeus
- Acid reflux
- Lumps in the throat
- Reinke’s oedema
- Enlarged adenoids
- Congenital throat problems
- Wegener’s granulomatosis
- Pharyngeal pouch
- Croup
- Sinusitis
- Bad breath
- Throat infections
- Strep throat
- Tonsillitis
- Laryngitis
- Pharyngitis
- Diphtheria
- Bacterial throat infections
- Viral throat infections
- Glandular fever
- Throat polyps
- Quinsy
- Candidiasis
- Epiglottitis
- Throat cancers
- Cancer of the larynx
- Cancer of the oesophagus
- Cancer of the pharynx
- Cancer of the thyroid gland
- Cancer of the trachea
- Cancer of the mouth
- Treatment for sore throat
- Home based treatment
- Over the counter treatment
- Prescription medicine
- Throat surgery
- Laryngectomy
- Tonsillectomy
- Recovery after tonsillectomy
- Adenoidectomy
- Tracheostomy
- Thyroidectomy
- Looking after your throat
- Lifestyle factors
- Smoking
- Excess weight
- Alcohol
- Housedust
- Voice misuse
- Professional speakers and singers
- Preventing a sore throat
- Sore throat in children
- Sore throat FAQs
- Glossary