 COVID-19 continues to spread in the U.S. and around the world. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent this new strain of coronavirus. “While more is understood about COVID-19 each day, there are still a lot of unknowns,” said Jason Myers, DO, Holland Hospital Family Medicine. “That’s why, along with protecting yourself from exposure to the virus, learning all you can about COVID-19 is important.” As the flu season approaches, distinguishing COVID-19 symptoms from the common cold and influenza is a good place to start. Here’s a quick look at some symptom similarities and differences:
“Despite having similarities, COVID-19 and your standard cold [also sometimes caused by a type of coronavirus] have some big differences, too,” Dr. Myers said. “Colds usually don’t result in serious health issues like pneumonia, hospitalizations or death, which is very different from COVID-19 or even the flu.” According to the World Health Organization (WHO), influenza causes 290,000 to 650,000 deaths globally every year. As of July 24, COVID-19 claimed the lives of 146,596 people, with more than 4 million confirmed cases. How this virus affects people varies, with older adults and those with chronic diseases or compromised immune systems often faring worse. COVID-19 warrants vigilance because it can lead to severe health problems, but the good news is, the majority of people who contract it will recover. Learn More For more on COVID-19, go to https://www.cdc.gov/. In your neighborhood and close to home, Holland Hospital’s pediatric, family and internal medicine specialists are focused on your health and wellness—delivering experienced and compassionate care for the entire family. Back
Sore throats are incredibly common, accounting for about 4% of visits to family practitioners. The majority of sore throats are caused by viruses, which can raise your body temperature slightly, but usually not enough to cause a fever (100.4 °F or more). Sore throat without fever can also be caused by allergies, reflux, STIs, behaviors like yelling or singing, and environmental irritants. In most cases a sore throat with no fever is nothing to be worried about. "Generally a sore throat without fever is less of a concern than a sore throat with fever," says Hiten Patel, MD, a family medicine physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Here are five common causes of a sore throat that don't typically cause fever. 1. Common coldOne of the most common causes of sore throat without fever is the common cold. If you have a cold, you might experience other symptoms including:
How to feel better: Common colds will resolve on their own in 7-10 days. Resting, drinking hot tea with honey, or taking ibuprofen for pain can help control symptoms, Patel says. 2. TonsillitisTonsillitis is the swelling of the tonsils, which are those lumps of tissue at the back of the throat. The inflammation, or swelling, is most commonly caused by a viral infection, but it can also be due to a bacterial infection. Tonsillitis is most common in children under 2, although it can happen in adults as well. If you or your child have tonsillitis, you might notice these symptoms:
Fever with tonsillitis is possible, but unlikely, Patel says. How to feel better: Viral tonsillitis resolves on its own within 3-5 days, says Patel. Use ibuprofen to control pain and eat soothing foods like popsicles or warm tea. If you or your child have difficulty swallowing or have repeated episodes of tonsillitis, see a doctor. 3. AllergiesSeasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, can cause a sore throat with no fever. This happens because of postnasal drip, or mucus from the nose dropping down the throat and irritating it. Allergies can cause a sore throat without fever in kids or adults, says Patel. If your sore throat is caused by allergies, you'll likely notice that it occurs after you're exposed to triggers like pollen or pet dander. The other symptoms of allergies include:
How to feel better: The best way to control allergies is by avoiding your triggers where possible, by taking actions like keeping windows closed when allergy counts are high. If you still experience symptoms, use an antihistamine or steroid nasal spray to help control nasal symptoms, which will decrease post-nasal drip to your throat, Patel says. 4. Acid refluxIf you have a persistent sore throat without a fever, it could be caused by acid reflux, says Patel. Reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), happens when stomach contents come up through the esophagus into the throat and mouth. When this happens, it can irritate your throat. Reflux can happen on occasion, or frequently. It's more common in adults, pregnant people, and overweight people, although anyone can experience reflux. If you have a sore throat caused by reflux, you'll likely notice other symptoms, including:
These symptoms might get worse when you eat certain foods, like acidic or spicy foods, or when you lie down, says Patel. How to feel better: Lifestyle changes like adjusting your diet and losing weight can help with chronic reflux. For mild or occasional bouts of reflux, antacids can help, but you shouldn't use them every day. If your reflux happens frequently, you should see a doctor, says Jim Keany, MD, co-director of the emergency department at Providence Mission Hospital. 5. STIsCertain STIs can also cause a sore throat, particularly if you've had an oral exposure to the virus. "To many people's surprise, sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea and herpes can also cause sore throat," says Keany. A sore throat can also be one of the first symptoms of HIV infection, appearing weeks after exposure. If you have HIV, you may or may not experience a fever. Oftentimes, STIs have no symptoms. However, you might notice symptoms including:
How to feel better: STIs often require treatment with antibiotics or other antiviral medication. If you suspect your sore throat is linked to an STI, talk with your doctor about testing. Regular STI screenings are part of routine care for all sexually-active people. Usually, a sore throat without fever will go away on its own, so Keany recommends waiting a few days before seeking medical care as long as your symptoms are mild. However, you should seek immediate medical care if you have:
If your symptoms do not improve within a week or if you frequently experience sore throats with no fever, see your doctor, says Patel. Insider's takeawayOccasionally, sore throat without fever can indicate an underlying health issue, like reflux, allergies, or post nasal drip. Other times, it can be from a more serious infection like an STI that requires medical treatment. In most cases, a sore throat with no fever is due to an infection or other conditions that will resolve on their own and is not a medical concern, says Patel. Using ibuprofen to manage pain and sipping warm water with honey can help relieve symptoms until your sore throat goes away, usually within a week. "This is usually self-resolving and will improve without any treatment," Patel says.
Kelly Burch is a New Hampshire-based freelance journalist writing about finances, health, family, and more. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, and Forbes, among others. Follow her on Facebook or Twitter, and or learn more here. Read more Read less |
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