Throat Infection & symptoms

A throat infection is a general term describing a disease affecting the area of and surrounding the throat. Commonly known as a sore throat, throat infections are most commonly caused by bacteria or viruses. It has been estimated that a throat infection is one of the top ten reasons that people visit emergency rooms for treatment. A throat infection is discomfort, pain, or scratchiness in the throat due to any infectious condition. A sore throat often makes it painful to swallow in cases of throat infection. Sore throats are common. Most of the time soreness is worse in the morning and improves as the day progresses. The vast majority of sore throats are caused by viral infections. This means most sore throats will NOT respond to antibiotics. Many people have a mild sore throat at the beginning of every cold. Viral infections are not treatable with antibiotics. Strep throat is an inflamed (red and swollen) throat caused by infection with bacteria called Streptococci. Although a person of any age group can suffer from throat infection; children and older people are found to be more susceptible to this bacterial infection. One should also keep in mind that strep throat is contagious.

The symptoms of throat infection can range from mild to severe. The following are the symptoms of throat infection in adults and children. Discomfort in throat, Difficulty in Swallowing, Cough, Sneezing. Mononucleosis, also known as mono, is an example of a throat infection caused by a virus. Symptoms of mononucleosis include those listed above, along with fatigue, weakness, and loss of appetite. Unlike most common sore throats, symptoms of mononucleosis can linger for an extended period of time. A sore throat is less likely to be strep throat if it is a minor part of a typical cold (with runny nose, stuffy ears, cough, and similar symptoms). Allergies (allergic rhinitis) can cause a sore throat. Doctors will often begin treatment of a sore throat immediately if there is a family history of rheumatic fever, if the patient has scarlet fever, or if rheumatic fever is commonly occurring in the community at the time.

Ear Infection During Pregnancy

During pregnancy it is not a good idea to take anything without a doctors approval and prescription based on a visit. Any infection including ear infection in pregnancy should be treated with caution. Any kind medication taken during those nine months can generally have some effect on the child to be born. Generally most ear infections are fungal infections. Ear infection during pregnancy can also be because of the cough and cold or sinus infection. This type of infection is very painful. Infections in a pregnant woman can cause hearing loss in her baby. They may damage the baby's inner ear. Ear infections and fluid in the ears may block sound from moving from the outer ear to the inner ear.

Allergies can also cause inflammation and the build up of fluids in the middle ear. This fluid can again cause swelling of the ear drum if infected by a virus or bacteria. In very few cases foreign particles in the ear are blocking the fluids with the same known results. Sometimes the middle ear space gets filled with mucus like during cold or other infections. The cold can cause the tubes to swell enough to become blocked trapping fluids inside your ear. This makes it an ideal place for viruses, germs and bacteria to grow and cause an infection.

Keep your ear clean and dry after taking shower. Pain can be relieved to some extent by keeping the warm water bottle or warm salt bag on the hurting ear. If you don't have coverage, ask the pharmacy and also look at throat sprays, popsicles and sucking candies to ease your pain and help you sleep. And yes gargle with salt water as well this help you feel better, but do not experiment any other kind of medications during pregnancy without doctor’s prescription and approval.

What are sinus infections signs and symptoms?

Our head has four sinus cavities. They are a very important part of our body. Infection or inflammation in the cavities can cause immense pain and pressure. Sinusitis refers to the infection caused by an inflamed, infected or mucous filled sinus cavity. Signs and symptoms of sinus infection are similar to those of a common cold. The only difference being that these symptoms do not respond to medication normally given for a common cold. Sinus can also be caused due to an allergy of some kind. People living in dusty areas complain of sinus more often.

There are times when a person feels that his/ her cold is not ready to go away. No medication seems to be of any help. Such people should refer to a doctor immediately. Allergies and colds that refuse to go away are sure shot signs and symptoms of sinus infection. A sinus infection should be attended to as soon as possible because it can turn chronic which may lead to unnecessary complications and surgery.

Other signs and symptoms of sinus infection include inflammation and redness in the nasal passage, redness and swelling in the eyes, tenderness of facial muscles, fever, toothache and headache. The toothache and headache increase on bending. Fever is a symptom which is rarely associated with sinus. But a combination of two or more such symptoms is a sure shot sign of sinus. The signs and symptoms of sinus infection are fairly visible and easy to detect. Some doctors also do tests like x-rays and CT Scans to confirm a sinus infection.

Though sinus can be easily cured by medication, surgery may be required in some extreme cases. Inhalation of steam and nasal drops also help. Taking precautions such as using a humidifier and proper cleaning of the nose can also prevent sinus.