What should my throat look like

But there are other reasons for sore throats that may be symptomatic of more serious problems. Strep throat is caused by streptococcal bacteria strep in the throat and often the tonsils. Symptoms include sudden severe sore throat, pain swallowing, a fever over oF, swollen tonsils and lymph nodes, and white or yellow spots or a reddened back of the throat. Strep throat is highly contagious, with a two-to-five day incubation period. It can be diagnosed through a physical examination and a throat culture.

Strep throat is treated with antibiotics and usually resolves in three to seven days, although the healing time can be up to two weeks. It is important to have strep throat diagnosed and begin treatment as soon as possible in order to prevent its spread to others. Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils located in the back of the throat on both sides of the tongue.

This tissue captures bacteria and viruses to either prevent them from entering the body or trigger the appropriate immune response. The back of the throat may appear red or swollen or have a white or yellow coating covering the tonsils. Symptoms include a severe sore throat, painful or difficult swallowing, coughing, headache, fever, chills and swelling of the cheeks and neck. Tonsillitis may also be caused by strep throat. Antibiotic medication is generally prescribed to treat the inflammation usually penicillin.

Tonsillitis usually resolves in four to seven days if caused by a virus. An adenoidectomy may also be recommended for children experiencing chronic ear infections. The larynx allows air to pass in and out of the lungs while preventing solids food and liquids from entering the lungs. The larynx also contributes to sound production by the vocal cords.

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx, the top portion of the windpipe trachea. It is characterized by hoarseness, coughing, difficulty in breathing for some children and, occasionally, loss of voice. In addition to an infection, laryngitis may be caused by acid reflux or nodules, polyps or nerve damage on the vocal cords.

Laryngitis usually heals by itself within two weeks with the help of increased air moisture, drinking plenty of fluids and resting the voice. The pharynx is tissue that resides behind the mouth and soft palate and acts as a pathway for food and liquids to enter the esophagus and air to enter the lungs. An inflammation of the pharynx is called pharyngitis.

Painful swallowing is the most common symptom. Pharyngitis may also occur along with laryngitis. Again, the inflammation usually heals by itself with rest, fluids and air humidity. The epiglottis is a flap of tissue at the base of the tongue that keeps food from going into the windpipe when swallowing.

Epiglottitis occurs when this tissue becomes inflamed and infected. The swelling of the epiglottis can block the tongue and result in a medical emergency. You will feel better in a few days. It is important to take all of your antibiotics. This reduces the risk that your sore throat will return. Symptoms caused by mono can last for 4 weeks or more. The treatment for mono is rest and reduced exercise. If a sore throat is caused by allergies, your doctor may talk to you about allergy triggers.

He or she may recommend medicine for the allergy. If your sore throat is caused by tonsillitis, you may need an operation. This is called a tonsillectomy.

The surgery removes your tonsils. You might need surgery if you get severe tonsillitis often. You may need surgery if your tonsils are too big. This article was contributed by: familydoctor. This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone.

Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. A peritonsillar abscess is a puss-filled sore near the back of your throat and tonsils. It is filled with…. Strep throat is an infection caused by bacteria. Visit The Symptom Checker. Read More. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. Fever in Infants and Children. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Teenagers: How to Stay Healthy. Vomiting and Diarrhea.

Strep Throat. Home Diseases and Conditions Sore Throat. Table of Contents. What is a sore throat? Symptoms of a sore throat A sore throat means that your throat hurts and is irritated, swollen, or scratchy.

Missing teeth and jaw parts can be replaced with prosthetic devices. Speech and swallowing therapy may be needed after significant surgeries. Radiation or chemoradiation is given after surgery if the cancer is advanced. For people who cannot have surgery, radiation therapy is an alternative first treatment. Chemotherapy Chemotherapy Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells.

Although an ideal drug would destroy cancer cells without harming normal cells, most drugs are not that selective. Instead, drugs For throat cancer, doctors use surgery more often as the first treatment for throat cancer. Newer techniques allow doctors to operate through the mouth rather than through an incision in the neck. Some techniques use an endoscope to guide laser surgery.

Another technique involves use of a surgical robot. The surgeon controls the arms of the robot from a console and views the operation via a camera attached to an endoscope that has been inserted into the person's mouth. Radiation therapy, or sometimes chemoradiation, can be used either after surgery or as first treatment. Traditionally, doctors have used radiation therapy for early-stage cancers and have added chemotherapy when cancer was more advanced.

A specific type of radiation therapy called intensity-modulated radiation therapy IMRT allows doctors to deliver the radiation to a very specific area, which may decrease side effects. Destruction of the salivary glands, which leaves the person's mouth dry and can lead to cavities and other dental problems.

Osteoradionecrosis Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Osteonecrosis of the jaw is an oral disorder that involves exposure of the jaw bone. Osteonecrosis of the jaw can occur after tooth extraction, injury, radiation therapy, or for no apparent Because of these side effects, all pre-existing dental problems should be completely treated before radiation is given. Any teeth likely to become problematic are removed, and time is allowed for healing before radiation is given.

Likewise, good dental hygiene is critical for people after radiation therapy, because after radiation exposure, the mouth will heal poorly if dental surgery, such as tooth extractions, is ever needed.

Such hygiene includes regular examinations and thorough home care, including daily home fluoride applications. See also Overview of Diving Injuries. Recompression therapy has The following English-language resource may be useful. American Cancer Society : Oral Cavity and oropharyngeal cancer. Merck and Co. From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world. The Manual was first published in as a service to the community.

Learn more about our commitment to Global Medical Knowledge. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Common Health Topics. Types of cancer found in the mouth and throat. Risk Factors. Side effects of treatment. More Information. Mouth, Nose, and Throat Cancers. Test your knowledge. People differ in their susceptibility to nosebleeds. Some people get them often, others rarely or never.

Nosebleeds can be mild, with just a trickle of blood, or severe, with a strong stream of blood. From which of the following areas do nosebleeds usually originate? More Content. Click here for the Professional Version. Image provided by Jonathan A. Ship, DMD. Photo provided by Jonathan A.

Mouth and throat cancers may look like open sores, growths, or discolored areas in the mouth. The main risk factors for mouth and throat cancer are.