Sore throat, a condition medically referred to as pharyngitis is characterized by painful throat, irritation, cough and fever. An exudate may also form at the tonsil and pharynx (an observation that can only be made by your health practitioner).
Sore throat has many etiological factors including bacterial infection, viral infection, allergy, trauma, toxins and neoplasm. Of most concern is the one caused by bacterial infection, an etiological factor that will require that your health care provider prescribes an antibiotic therapy for you.
The bacteria mostly implicated in the development of sore throat belong to a group of bacteria known as Group A Beta Hemolytic; Streptococcus Pyogenes. When your health care provider prescribes antibiotics for your sore throat, it is because he is convinced that your sore throat is as a result of bacterial infections based on laboratory workout and/or history presented.
An untreated or improperly treated Streptococcal pyogene infection can lead to a sequelae known as post Streptococcal diseases including Rheumatic fever, Arthritis and Acute Glomerulonephritis (a disease of the kidney if your streptococcal infection affected the skin).Acute Rheumatic fever (ARF) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that develops as a sequela of streptococcal infection. An early exposure predisposes one to repeated episode of ARF. It is estimated that the risk of developing ARF after an episode of pharyngitis is 0.3%-3%.
Credit: Theresa Chiechi / Verywell
ARF results from a cross reaction of the antigen of some strains of the bacteria with antigens on human heart cells resulting in the production of antibodies against it. The disease results in damage to the heart valves and eventually a heart failure. The good news is that prompt treatment with prescribed antibiotic can prevent post streptococcal diseases.
Credit: Parkview health
As simple as a sore throat maybe you need to see your health care provider and when an antibiotic therapy is prescribed be sure to complete the full course even if you think you’re better because now you know sore throat can lead to “broken heart”.
Author: Awiagah Sherrif Kwame
NB: This article was first published by the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital bulletin- January, 2019 edition
