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What Causes Severe Sore Throat Upon Waking Up?
Question: I have been fighting a sore throat now for four days... especially when I wake up in the morning. I work as a substitute teacher so am at different schools every day, and different classes at those schools. I have very little congestion (no runny nose, though you can hear some in my breathing). My neck has been very stiff through this as well.
Brief Answer:
Different possible causes.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The most common causes for acute/recent onset sore throat are-
(1) Infection from a virus or bacteria. Viral infections are more common than bacterial.
(2) Trauma.
(3) Post nasal drip of mucus. 1/5 of persons are not aware of the drip itself and present with the complications such as sore throat. Some persons may have a chronic cough.
(4) GERD- reflux is another common cause.
If there are no other cough/cold symptoms then infection is not likely. Also, with an infection, the symptoms are usually constant during the day though can be worse either in the morning or at night. In some cases, sore throat may start first then the other symptoms develop.
It is possible that the symptoms may be due to post nasal drip or reflux.
Sore throat is treated with oral or topical pain medication. Topical meds include diflam or covonia or chloroseptic, these are mainly used if an infection is present but can be used otherwise as well.
Oral pain killers include naproxen or ibuprofen.
If there is a drip using an antihistamine/decongestant combination would help even though there are no nasal symptoms. The decongestant stops the secretion to the back of the throat though it can sometimes take a few days to kick in. eg zyrtec D, allegra D, claritine D, benadryl D.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician
Different possible causes.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The most common causes for acute/recent onset sore throat are-
(1) Infection from a virus or bacteria. Viral infections are more common than bacterial.
(2) Trauma.
(3) Post nasal drip of mucus. 1/5 of persons are not aware of the drip itself and present with the complications such as sore throat. Some persons may have a chronic cough.
(4) GERD- reflux is another common cause.
If there are no other cough/cold symptoms then infection is not likely. Also, with an infection, the symptoms are usually constant during the day though can be worse either in the morning or at night. In some cases, sore throat may start first then the other symptoms develop.
It is possible that the symptoms may be due to post nasal drip or reflux.
Sore throat is treated with oral or topical pain medication. Topical meds include diflam or covonia or chloroseptic, these are mainly used if an infection is present but can be used otherwise as well.
Oral pain killers include naproxen or ibuprofen.
If there is a drip using an antihistamine/decongestant combination would help even though there are no nasal symptoms. The decongestant stops the secretion to the back of the throat though it can sometimes take a few days to kick in. eg zyrtec D, allegra D, claritine D, benadryl D.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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