“Ever notice that a sore throat seems worse in the morning? It's because your throat gets so dry overnight,” says Dr. Valerie Riddle, an infectious disease expert at NIH. “Having lozenges or hard candies—or anything that stimulates saliva production—will keep your throat moist.
Mouth breathing is also frequent during the night and contributes to a drier mouth and less production of saliva, which results in sore throat in the morning. Moreover, you are more likely to inhale dust, pollen, and other pollutants that can irritate the throat, worsening the pain.
Excess mucus in the throat can lead to itching, irritation, and soreness. Postnasal drip typically increases when a person is lying down. As a result, a sore throat may worsen at night or first thing in the morning. Exposure to certain allergens at night may also worsen postnasal drip and sore throat.
The most common cause of a sore throat worse in the morning is dehydration. While you sleep, your body isn't able to take in any fluids until you have a glass of water or a hot drink the following morning. This can result in a dry mouth and therefore a sore throat. A dry mouth can also be caused by mouth breathing.
Breathing through your mouth — often because of chronic nasal congestion — also can cause a dry, sore throat. Irritants. Outdoor air pollution and indoor pollution such as tobacco smoke or chemicals can cause a chronic sore throat. Chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and eating spicy foods also can irritate your throat.
Sore throat that can start very quickly and may look red. Red and swollen tonsils. White patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils. Tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth, called petechiae.
Sore throats are very common and usually nothing to worry about. They normally get better within a week. Most are caused by minor illnesses such as cold or flu and can be treated at home.
Chronic pharyngitis is a persistent sore throat that lingers for a few weeks or returns frequently. Chronic pharyngitis may be caused by infection, environmental pollutants, allergies or acid reflux. Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause.
Bedside humidifiers, which combat dry air, can help with snoring and congestion. Antihistamines are another option to help decrease the effects of your allergies. If GERD or acid reflux is behind your sore throat, over-the-counter antacids such as Nexium or Prilosec can counteract acid reactions in your gut.
Elevating the head while sleeping may help relieve congestion. View Source that contributes to throat pain from excess mucus drainage.
Any time your throat hurts due to infection, stay away from people. You may spread the illness. However, you may have a sore throat for another reason. In these cases, you're safe around other people, as your sore throat is not contagious.
You should contact a healthcare provider if your sore throat lasts longer than a week, gets worse or you develop symptoms like fever or swollen lymph nodes.
Knowing whether your sore throat is viral or bacterial is usually determined by symptoms. Viral sore throats usually consist of a cough, swelling in the throat, and runny nose whereas bacterial sore throats are typically accompanied with nausea and vomiting, stomach ache, and there is no cough.
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is a preferred over-the-counter (OTC) medicine for treating a sore throat. But it may not be the safest choice for people with certain health conditions, like heart disease and kidney problems. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be a safer throat pain treatment for people who can't take ibuprofen.
At-home tests allow strep throat to be diagnosed via telemedicine. This means you don't have to go to the doctor's office or take a sick child there, which may put others at risk. Adults who have a negative test can generally take no further action. Even if you do have strep, it is likely mild and self-limiting.
Rapid strep test kits are available over the counter at drugstores and do not require a doctor's prescription. These tests are quick and easy to use, giving you results in as little as five minutes. It works just like a rapid test that doctors perform.
Common symptoms of strep throat
In addition to the standard sore throat and painful swallowing, some other signs and symptoms of strep throat may include: Tender, swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the front of the neck. Red spots on the roof of the mouth or palate. Swollen and red tonsils; white patches on occasion.
Most sore throats are caused by viruses, such as the cold or flu virus. Some of the more serious causes of sore throat include tonsillitis, strep throat, and mononucleosis (mono). Other causes include smoking, mouth breathing at night while you sleep, pollution, and allergies to pets, pollens and molds.
Generally speaking, avoid fatty, spicy, or acidic foods as they can all increase irritation. You should also avoid crunchy or hard textured foods like dry toast or cereals, as they can scratch your already delicate throat.