What Causes A Dry Throat?

Tonsillitis

Tonsilitis, as its name suggests, is a contagious infection of the tonsils. While the condition can occur in individuals of any age, it typically presents in childhood. Symptoms of tonsillitis include a painful and dry throat, pain or difficulty when swallowing, a hoarse voice, swollen lymph nodes, pain in the neck and jaw, fever, earaches, and stomachaches. The tonsils will also appear red and swollen, and they may have white or yellow spots. Infections of the tonsils can be diagnosed by a pediatrician, internist, or ear, nose, and throat specialist. While most cases resolve on their own, some may need medications, and patients with chronic or recurrent episodes of tonsilitis may need to have their tonsils removed. Patients may wish to use a humidifier in their homes to ease the throat symptoms caused by tonsilitis. Gargling with a solution of warm salt water can also provide symptom relief.

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Strep Throat

Strep throat is a contagious bacterial infection. The major symptom of strep throat is throat pain that starts very suddenly, and is usually accompanied by painful swallowing, red spots on the roof of the mouth, fever, headache, body aches, rash, and nausea. Of course, the throat can often be dry as well. Some patients may also experience redness and swelling of the tonsils, and the tonsil area may have white streaks or pus.

The symptoms of strep throat are also shared with other conditions, which is why doctors use both a clinical examination and a swab test to confirm a diagnosis. In a swab test, the doctor gently touches the throat area with a cotton swab, and the results are usually available in about twenty minutes. Sometimes, an additional swab test called a throat culture is used, and this may take up to two days for results. If the test is positive, doctors prescribe antibiotics to resolve the infection. Since the illness is contagious, patients may need to stay home from work or school for a little while to avoid spreading the infection.

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