Red Throat

Red throat is redness of the pharynx or larynx resulting from a respiratory system disorder. It is a symptom of several viral, bacterial, or allergic diseases.

Symptoms and Causes

Redness of the pharynx, commonly referred to as red throat, is a symptom of various diseases affecting the upper respiratory tract, usually caused by different types of infections.

Red throat alone is generally not concerning, although it may be accompanied by other more bothersome signs that indicate a more serious condition. In most cases, it is a mild symptom that resolves within a short time either spontaneously or with medication.

Symptoms

Depending on the type of condition causing it, red throat may appear as diffuse redness or as spots or patches. In most cases, it is accompanied by other symptoms that help determine the underlying cause:

Itching.
Inflammation, redness.
Pain that usually worsens when speaking or swallowing.
Dysphagia: difficulty swallowing.
Hoarseness.
Swollen cervical lymph nodes.
Cough.
Nasal congestion.
Sneezing.
Fever, chills.
Headache.
Halitosis.
White patches (pus plaques on the tonsils).

Causes

Redness of the pharynx may occur due to any of the following diseases:

Viral infections: caused by a virus.

Common cold: rhinovirus.
Influenza: influenza virus.
Pharyngitis: rhinovirus, influenza.
Laryngitis: rhinovirus, influenza.
Respiratory syncytial virus.
Viral tonsillitis: adenovirus.
Mononucleosis: Epstein-Barr virus.
Covid-19: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Uvulitis: rhinovirus or influenza causing inflammation of the uvula, commonly known as the "soft palate projection" or uvula.

Bacterial infections: caused by bacteria.

Pharyngitis: usually caused by group A streptococci.
Bacterial tonsillitis: Streptococcus pyogenes, belonging to group A streptococci.
Peritonsillar abscess: tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, or Fusobacterium that worsens because pus accumulates in the tissues surrounding the tonsils.
Scarlet fever: caused by group A streptococci. In addition to throat redness, it presents with fever and a red rash.
Uvulitis: Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Fusobacterium.

Allergies: the throat becomes inflamed due to irritation from allergens such as pollen, dust mites, mold, or pet hair. Some food allergies may also cause redness of the pharynx.
Irritation: the throat is damaged by excessive voice use or exposure to smoke, chemicals, or an excessively dry environment. Gastroesophageal reflux also irritates the throat because stomach acids rise into the pharynx.

Risk Factors

The risk of developing a red throat is higher in the following cases:

Age: although it is common at any age, it is more frequent in children and adolescents.
Time of year: infections are common in winter and allergies in spring.
Smoking: tobacco smoke affects both active and passive smokers.
Living or working in environments with high levels of pollution or excessive dryness.
Weakened immune system.

Complications

Complications do not arise directly from redness of the pharynx itself, but from the underlying disease causing it. Although uncommon, the following may occur:

Tonsillar cellulitis: the infection spreads diffusely into deeper tissues.
Otitis: ear infection.
Sinusitis: infection of the paranasal sinuses, which are the air-filled cavities surrounding the nose.
Airway obstruction: severe inflammation blocking airflow through the throat.
Obstructive sleep apnea: interruption of breathing during sleep because the tonsils are excessively enlarged.
Chronic tonsillitis: recurrent infection of the tonsils.
Myositis: inflammation of the skeletal muscles causing pain and weakness. It is usually a complication of viral diseases.

What doctor treats red throat?

Redness of the pharynx is usually treated within the specialties of Family and community medicine, Pediatrics or Otorhinolaryngology.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of pharyngeal redness is clinical, as observation of the throat is sufficient to detect it. In addition to using a light source to assess the condition of the tonsils, larynx, and pharynx (indirect laryngoscopy), other procedures are performed to determine the cause and identify the patient’s disease:

Direct laryngoscopy: a flexible tube is inserted through the throat to visualize, with the aid of a camera located at the tip, the interior of the pharynx and larynx.
Rapid streptococcal test: a sample of mucus and saliva is collected from the throat and tonsils and placed into a tube containing reagents. Within minutes, it determines whether there is a group A streptococcal infection.
Throat swab culture: the sample is obtained by swabbing the throat with a sterile swab and stored in a hermetically sealed tube. In the laboratory, it is placed in an incubator for 18 to 24 hours, and the result is examined under a microscope to determine whether bacteria or fungi are present and, if positive, to identify the specific type in order to administer the most appropriate treatment.

Treatment

Treatment for red throat varies depending on the diagnosed disease:

Viral infections: there is no treatment that cures these conditions, as they resolve spontaneously within several days. To improve symptoms, the following measures are recommended:

Drink plenty of fluids to maintain hydration.
Gargle with salt water.
Use a humidifier to increase environmental humidity.
Consume honey, lozenges, or throat pastilles to soothe the throat.
Avoid very hot or spicy foods.
Do not smoke or expose yourself to smoke.
Analgesics to relieve severe pain.
Anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling.

Bacterial infections: in addition to the above recommendations, which improve the patient’s condition, antibiotics (amoxicillin or penicillin) are administered.
Allergies: antihistamines relieve symptoms caused by allergens.