What Causes Sore Throat?
To successfully treat and prevent recurrence of sore throat we need to understand and — if possible — remove the underlying causes and risk factors.
We need to ask: "What else is going on inside the body that might allow sore throat to develop?"
Diagnose your symptoms now!
- understand what's happening to your body
- learn what you should be doing right now
- identify any nutritional deficiencies
Accurate diagnosis of the factors behind sore throat consists of three steps:
Step 1: List the Possible Causative Factors
Identify all disease conditions, lifestyle choices and environmental risk factors that can lead to sore throat. For example, infectious mononucleosis.
Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist
Identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:
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recent onset fatigue
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current atypical headaches
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swollen axillary nodes
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possible enlarged liver
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multiple painful cervical nodes
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postauricular node problems
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high sensitivity to bright light
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multiple painful axillary nodes
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multiple painful inguinal nodes
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recent loss of appetite
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unusual current rash
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elevated lymphocyte count
... and so on
Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause
A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of sore throat.
Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis
The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.
In the
Respiratory Symptoms section of the questionnaire,
The Analyst™ will ask the following question about current sore throat:
Do you have a sore throat now?
Possible responses:
→ Don't know
→ No
→ Yes, somewhat sore
→ Yes, very sore and painful to swallow
|
Based on your response to this question, which may indicate absence of sore throat, current sore throat or current very sore throat,
The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as
Infectious Mononucleosis - Mono. The sore throat usually seen in mononucleosis typically clears in 7-19 days, possibly fewer.
Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™
![Symptom Entry](/images/i1_96x96.png)
Symptom Entry
![Diagnosis](/images/i2_96x96.png)
Diagnosis
![Suggestions](/images/i3_96x96.png)
Suggestions
![LifeMeter](/images/i4_96x96.png)
LifeMeter®
![Full Explanations](/images/i5_96x96.png)
Explanations
![Optional Doctor Review](/images/i6_96x96.png)
Review (optional)