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Can Stress Cause Sore Throat In An Elderly Woman?
Question: I am a 78 year old woman, good health, I have a sore throat and have been checked out with lab work and not strep or any other indication of illness. There are many trees blooming in our area at the moment and I am also under a good deal of stress as my daughter is in chemo treatment. Could a sore throat be a result of stress, I certainly do not want to expose her to anything but need to help her. I do not have a fever. Could this be the stress as I mentioned or allergies? Thank you
Brief Answer:
Stress may cause sore throat but very unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
welcome to HCM.
Sore throat could be because of stress but it is very unlikely and we should first rule out chances of having viral infection or allergy.
When there is stress then there is more of gastric reflux (means reflux of food contents from stomach in the food pipe) which cause inflammation of pharynx or epiglottis or vocal cords and there by can cause sore throat.
So,please let me know if you have any reflux problem or heartburn.
Also let me know about your lab works or if possible then please share with me.I would like to discuss it further and will guide you accordingly.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
Stress may cause sore throat but very unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
welcome to HCM.
Sore throat could be because of stress but it is very unlikely and we should first rule out chances of having viral infection or allergy.
When there is stress then there is more of gastric reflux (means reflux of food contents from stomach in the food pipe) which cause inflammation of pharynx or epiglottis or vocal cords and there by can cause sore throat.
So,please let me know if you have any reflux problem or heartburn.
Also let me know about your lab works or if possible then please share with me.I would like to discuss it further and will guide you accordingly.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
I realize I am anxious about this. If my temperature is normal and Lab work negative for infection can I assume whatever I have is not contagious. I have experienced sore throats in the past when I was under stress, I am not aware of serious reflux problems but have had them and I do deal with digestive issues.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Not contagious possibly.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the reply.
Since you do not have fever with normal lab works, then it mostly rules out chances of any infective component. (whether viral or bacterial)
So,either it could be due to some allergy or might be gastric reflux which are possibly not contagious.
Here,I can understand the you are much concerned about your daughter who is taking chemotherapy treatment and she should not get exposed any kind of infection from you.
However,it is highly unlikely that your sore throat may get spread to her but it would be better to put handkerchief or hand whenever you cough for a safer side.
Otherwise there is NO need to worry.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
Dr.Sandip kabra
Not contagious possibly.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the reply.
Since you do not have fever with normal lab works, then it mostly rules out chances of any infective component. (whether viral or bacterial)
So,either it could be due to some allergy or might be gastric reflux which are possibly not contagious.
Here,I can understand the you are much concerned about your daughter who is taking chemotherapy treatment and she should not get exposed any kind of infection from you.
However,it is highly unlikely that your sore throat may get spread to her but it would be better to put handkerchief or hand whenever you cough for a safer side.
Otherwise there is NO need to worry.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
Dr.Sandip kabra
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
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