Chronic Sore Throat in Adults - A Challenge! To Primary Care Providers and Otolaryngologists Too!!

Abstract

Background: Sore throat, medically called "pharyngitis" is an inflammation or infection of the lymphoid tissues of the posterior pharynx and lateral pharyngeal bands. Acute sore throats among children are one of the most common health conditions that primary health care physicians deal with. It usually resolves on its own without complications in adults. Some adults tend to be more prone to developing frequent infections, basically due to developing fewer antibodies and a less robust immune response in each infection resulting in ‘Chronic Sore Throat’, the subject of this article. Chronic sore throat is to an otolaryngologist, as headache is to neurologist, often seemingly trivial symptom but heavily demanding for bringing relief. The symptoms of chronic sore throat include painful swallowing, scratchy or hot, burning sensation, lancinating pain, a sort of “raw” feeling, and or deep boring pain that worsens with mastication, swallowing and talking. The pain often radiates to the ears and temporo-mandibular joints, aggravating its intensity. Each year, pharyngitis is responsible for more than 40 million visits to health care providers as most children and adults experience 3-5 and 1-2 upper respiratory infection every year and half of the episode may lead to seeking care from primary care physicians or ENT specialists. As with common cold, viral pathogens in pharyngitis appear to invade the mucosal cells of the nasopharynx and oral cavity, resulting in edema and hyperemia of the mucous membranes and tonsils and sometimes even adenoid glands. The etiology of pharyngitis can be either viral, Bacterial, fungal infections or noninfectious origin such as smoking, environmental pollution, and allergic reactions to pollen, mold and pet dander, Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), and rarely throat cancer.