Other bacteria that can infect the pharynx are non-group A streptococci bacteria, Corynebacterium diphtheriae<\/em>, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CMV and HSV are prone to infect the esophagus (food pipe). They are both opportunistic throat infection that usually occurs in people with a compromised immune system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Post-organ transplantation, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and long-term steroid intake are some examples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides being hard to swallow with a sore throat, people with CMV or HSV esophagitis may experience fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, swallow pain, weight loss, and chest pain behind the breastbone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Candidiasis (thrush) is a yeast infection caused by Candida albicans<\/em>, a dormant fungus that lives quietly on our skin, mouth, gut, and vagina. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When the host\u2019s (us) immune system weakens, the fungus grows uncontrollably, causing pain and inflammation. Candidiasis is commonly seen in people with high HIV viral load due to their vulnerable immune systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aphthous ulcers (canker sores) are recurrent, round, small, and painful. They are located in the oropharynx (back of the throat, including the tongue base and tonsils) and usually disappear naturally in less than two weeks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To date, scientists are unsure why canker sores happen. Still, they managed to identify specific risk factors that can trigger the development of these ulcers, including stress, injury to the inner mucosa lining of your mouth, acidic foods, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), dental appliances, such as braces<\/a> or dentures.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n People with immune system defects and nutritional deficiency are also linked to a higher chance of getting this condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Foreign bodies in the esophagus <\/p>\n\n\n\n Foreign bodies like sharp objects, batteries, and magnets can cause direct trauma to the mouth and esophagus lining. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Other than pain when swallowing, you may feel constant or recurrent chest pain behind the breastbone, swallowing difficulties, dysphagia, feeling of something in your throat (globus sensation), overproduction of saliva, stridor, wheezing, or choking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When these foreign objects are stuck in the throat for an extended period, they erode the esophagus, leading to esophageal perforation, fever, air in the mediastinum (pneumomediastinum), crepitus, and digestive tract bleeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are man-made causes of pain when swallowing. Classic examples include esophageal injury when inserting an endoscopy tube, consuming hot drinks or foods, ingesting corrosive substances, or localized radiation in cancer treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People often have difficulties swallowing (dysphagia) when fibrosis occurs as a long-term complication of mucosal irritation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Allergies can irritate and trigger inflammation of the throat lining. Common allergens include pet furs, molds, dust, and pollens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Air pollution<\/a>, such as second-hand smoke or chemicals, can cause a chronic sore throat. In addition, smoking, drinking alcohol, and frequently eating over-spicy foods also can irritate your throat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A sore throat can be caused by overuse of throat muscles, such as yelling, talking loudly, or talking non-stop for an extended period. Examples of people vulnerable to having throat muscle strain are teachers, singers, and military officers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GERD, simply called reflux, describes the backflow of stomach acid<\/a> upwards into the esophagus (food pipe), causing a burning sensation in the chest. This acid causes irritation to the esophageal lining (acid reflux esophagitis).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Malignant tumors of the throat, tongue, or voice box (larynx) can block the passage of food, therefore, causing swallowing problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Other warning signs of throat cancers include voice hoarseness, noisy breathing, a lump below the jaw or in the neck, and blood in saliva.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sore throats are extremely common. Usually, there is nothing sinister if your throat hurts when swallowing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most are caused by minor ailments such as common colds or flu, and you can just take medications at home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n How long a sore throat will last depends on your health condition, but generally, the condition usually goes away within a week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your condition worsens drastically despite complying with all medications, or if you have any warning signs (we will see later), you should go to the emergency room immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Symptoms related to pain when swallowing vary depending on the cause. They can be classified into local and systemic symptoms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Local symptoms include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Throat infection is usually held accountable for systemic symptoms,<\/strong> which include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The throat infection can extend to nearby structures, causing more severe complications such as epiglottis, peritonsillar abscesses, retropharyngeal abscesses, deep tissue infections, gastrointestinal bleeding, and the development of an abnormal connection between the windpipe and food pipe (tracheoesophageal fistula). <\/p>\n\n\n\n People suffering from these conditions are usually very ill and need immediate medical attention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n See a doctor as soon as possible if you have below conditions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although sore throat and pain when swallowing are common, they can indicate some severe conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To find out why it hurts to swallow, you should visit your doctor and mention every single sign and symptom you\u2019re experiencing. This helps your doctor determine the cause of your pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After careful history taking, your doctor will do some physical examinations, including checking your mouth to observe the condition directly. Your doctor may order specific tests to investigate the reasons behind your pain. These tests are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This measures the amount of different blood cells in your body. A high level of white blood cells suggests an ongoing infection and inflammation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Subtypes of white blood cells can also be used to determine the etiology of the infection, whether it is a virus or bacteria cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These scans can produce detailed images of your throat, which cannot be observed using the naked eye. Your doctor will read the images and check for any abnormalities. A tumor can also be detected via these imagings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This involves taking a mucus sample from the back of your throat. This sample will then be transported to the lab for further analysis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The result usually takes several days, but it gives the highest accuracy in detecting the causative organism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is similar to a throat swab culture, just that sputum or phlegm is used instead of a throat swab. It is relatively simple, non-invasive, and painless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This uses X-rays to capture a series of images of your esophagus. Before the procedure, you will be asked to drink a special liquid called barium. Then, you will go for the X-rays as usual. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Barium highlights your esophagus, allowing your doctor to check if there is anyway blocked pathway for the food to travel down from the mouth to the stomach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Treatments for pain when swallowing are based on its underlying cause. In most cases, infection is the culprit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In that case, you most likely will receive prescription antibiotics to treat your pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsilitis, or esophagitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor may give you a gargle or mouthwash that can numb your throat when you swallow the oral medications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The other alternative anesthesia is a throat spray, usually reserved for severe pain. Your doctor may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation<\/a> and minimize pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People with recurrent tonsillitis often experience pain when swallowing. This is debilitating and severely impacts their quality of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor may recommend tonsillectomies (surgery to remove the tonsils) if you have such a condition. Discuss with your doctor the risks of having the surgery and whether the surgery suits you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your symptoms are mild, you can try some health tips and wait for it to recover on its own. These tips for sore throat relief <\/a>include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sore throat and pain when swallowing are very common. Although they usually come and go without causing significant impairment of our daily functions, we should not ignore the symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As the saying goes, better be safe than sorry. Seek medical attention if you notice any warning signs or if the symptoms bother you too much. <\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Esophagitis <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Candidiasis (thrush)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Aphthous ulcers (canker sores)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Non-infectious causes of a sore throat when swallowing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Local trauma to the esophagus <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Allergies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Irritants <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Muscle strain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Tumors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"beta](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Beta-Glucan.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nShould I be worried if it hurts to swallow?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Possible accompanying symptoms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
Are there any complications?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Should you see a doctor?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"vitamins](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Daily-Energy-1.jpg)
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nDiagnosis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A complete blood count test <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
MRI and CT scans<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A throat swab culture<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A sputum culture<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A barium swallow test<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Treatment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tips for sore throat relief<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Explore More<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"What](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/sore-throat-foods-to-eat-and-avoid-1024x217.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n