My throat feels sore in the morning. Is this a sign that you have a COVID-19 infection? A sore throat is one of the signs of COVID-19 infection. However, there are other causes.

A sore throat’s cause can be determined by the symptoms you have, such as an itchy sensation and pain in the throat or changes in your voice.

Here are some health experts’ recommendations for treating throat pain.

What is the cause of my throat pain when I wake up?

According to Dr. Eric Moore (ear, nose, and throat) specialist, a COVID-19 infection may cause sore throat symptoms similar to other respiratory infections. He explained that a sore throat could be caused by either breathing through the nose or snoring at night.

Moore explained that mouth breathing could dry out the throat membranes and cause soreness. Snoring can also cause dryness.

Postnasal secretions and stomach reflux can cause headaches in the morning.

The doctor stated that patients swallow less during sleep than when they are awake. This means that post-nasal secretions and stomach acid can build up in the throat at night, which can cause irritation and pain.

Dr. Hannah Linnea Kavookjian is Head and Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She explained that pain in the ear could also be called “referred” by complex nerve connections between the brain, head and neck.

What is the cause of my throat pain when I swallow?

Other than the ones mentioned, there are other causes that can cause a sore throat.

  • A possible infection (viral, bacterial, fungal).
  • Dry air quality.
  • Upper respiratory tract infections.
  • Muscle tension/strain
  • Mechanical trauma or injury

A sore throat could also indicate “some more serious conditions” such as throat cancer, Dr. Erich P. Voigt, director of the Division of General Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, told Newsweek.

Kavookjian stated that throat pain could happen at any hour of the day. However, it is more common to experience it in the worst situations.

Are Allergies a Cause of Sore Throat?

People allergic to pollens or molds, animal hair, house dust, and animal dander may also have sore throat symptoms.

Dry heat, dry heat, irritations from chemicals, stress, straining your voice, and car exhaust can all cause sore throats.

What is causing my throat to be sore? Causes and symptoms

Viral Infections

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, viruses, which include those that cause colds and flu, are the leading causes of sore throats.

Sore throats can be caused by viral infections such as:

  • measles,
  • Chickenpox
  • Mononucleosis and Croup (also known as Mono).

ENThealth.org says that Mono has the longest-lasting symptoms, which can last for several weeks.

Here are some symptoms that indicate your sore throat may be caused by a virus.

  • A cough.
  • Runny nose.
  • Hoarseness is a change in the sound of your voice that can make it sound breathy, raspy, or strained.
  • Conjunctivitis (also called pink eye)

Bacterial Infections

Strep throat and other bacterial infections are less common causes of sore throats.

Streptococcus bacteria cause strep throat. It can also cause tonsillitis, scarlet fever, tonsillitis, sinusitis (sinus infection), and ear infections.

These are some of the most common symptoms of strep thorough.

  • A sore throat that develops quickly.
  • When swallowing, you feel pain.
  • A fever.
  • Sometimes, red and swollen tonsils with streaks or white spots of pus.
  • Tiny red marks on the roof of your mouth
  • Lymph nodes that are swollen in the front of your neck

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, can cause sore throats. Babies younger than one year old can be particularly affected by this highly contagious respiratory illness, which could lead to death.

Tumors

A sore throat and pain up to the ears can be caused by tumors in the throat, tongue, or larynx (voicebox).

Other signs that a tumor is present in the throat include a hoarse voice and difficulty swallowing, noise breathing, trouble swallowing, difficult breathing, a lump on the neck, unexplained weight gain, blood in the saliva, or phlegm, as well as hoarseness.

Epiglottitis

Epiglottitis can also be a serious condition. ENThealth.org warns that this can cause swelling and close the airway, and you should seek immediate medical attention.

How long does a sore throat last?

Voigt, an NYU Langone medical centre representative, advised that a sore throat should be seen if it lasts longer than one week or seems to be severe (e.g., causing inability or difficulty speaking or swallowing).

He added that “[this] could be a sign for more serious illness, such as stomach acid reflux, cancer, or chronic sore throat.”

Voigt stated that throat, tonsil, and tongue cancers would often present with sore throats. Sometimes, this is all that’s needed to diagnose these cancers.

Kavookjian said that throat cancer may sometimes present with persistent pain in the throat but can also be accompanied by changes to the voice, swallowing dysfunction or neck mass.

Voigt also warned that serious infections such as strep and abscesses may be present and require urgent medical attention.

Here are some signs and symptoms that indicate a sore throat and should be addressed by a doctor. These were compiled from ENThealth.org and the CDC.

  • A persistent and severe sore throat.
  • A frequent sore throat.
  • Hoarseness that lasts more than two weeks
  • Difficulty in breathing.
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • It is difficult to open your mouth.
  • The saliva and phlegm contain blood.
  • Earache
  • A fever (over 101 degrees in Fahrenheit).
  • Excessive drooling (in young children)
  • Dehydration.
  • The swelling of the neck or face.
  • A lump in the neck
  • Joint pain and swelling
  • It is a rash.

How to Get Rid Of a Sore Throat. Treatments

The cause of your sore throat depends on what the treatment options are. Your doctor will determine if your sore throat is due to a bacterial infection. If this happens, you will be prescribed antibiotics that kill the bacteria.

It is important to follow the instructions of your doctor when taking antibiotics. Even if you feel better, it is important to finish all prescribed antibiotics. The infection could return or may not disappear altogether.

Antibiotics won’t work if your sore throat is caused by a virus. Most sore throats will resolve on their own in a week. However, your doctor may prescribe medication to treat your symptoms.

Although antibiotics will not treat viral infections viruses, they can reduce your body’s resistance against bacterial infections, so antibiotics may be recommended in cases of combined infections.

How to soothe a sore throat

Moore, an ENT specialist, recommended drinking lots of fluids, including tea with honey and saltwater.

These methods “help mobilize thick secretions and post nasal drainage, and that can lead to relief,” Moore stated. However, Moore noted that dehydration and spicy foods could make a sore neck feel worse.

Kavookjian advised that you rest your throat and avoid acidic foods. She recommended sticking to soft foods. Kavookjian also recommended that honey not be given to children younger than one-year-old.

The CDC recommends sucking on ice popsicles, ice chips or lozenges. Children under 2 years old should not be given lozenges.

For pain relief of a sore throat, you can use OTC medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.