Sniffles: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Sore Throat And Runny Nose: Causes And Treatments
© Provided by Verywell Health SimpleImages / Getty Images Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MD A sore throat describes a scratchy or uncomfortable sensation aggravated when swallowing or talking. A runny nose occurs when mucus drips from the nostrils. Sore throat and runny nose often occur together, such as with a cold, COVID-19 infection, or allergies.
This article will review common health conditions associated with a sore throat and runny nose. It will also discuss the treatment and possible prevention of these conditions.
© Provided by Verywell Health SimpleImages / Getty Images What Causes Sore Throat and Runny Nose? Viral infections are typical culprits behind a person's sore throat and runny nose. The offending virus invades a person's throat tissue and the tissue lining the nose.
In response to the infection, cells within the nose and throat release small proteins called cytokines that help the body fight infection. These cytokines are responsible for tissue inflammation and mucus production, which helps trap the virus.
A runny nose results from mucus trapping germs or other harmful particles and draining out of the nose, ridding the body of the infection or irritant. A sore throat develops from the inflamed throat tissue and mucus dripping down the back of the throat (postnasal drip).
Two viral infections that cause a sore throat and runny nose are:
Infection with COVID-19 may resemble that of a cold, although research suggests that sore throat and runny nose are significantly more likely to be seen with a cold than with COVID-19. Still, consider testing for COVID-19 if you have a sore throat and/or runny nose.
Learn More:Do I Have a Cold or COVID?
Allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, describe an overactive immune system response to a foreign substance. It's a common noninfectious cause of sore throat and runny nose.
Common environmental allergens (proteins within your surroundings that are supposed to be harmless) include pollen, dust, pet dander, and mold.
Exposure to allergens causes nose and sinus inflammation and mucus production. The clear mucus drips out of the nose and drains down the back of the throat, causing irritation and a tender or tickly sensation.
Besides a sore throat and runny nose, other possible allergy symptoms include:
Sore Throat, Runny Nose, and FeverAdditional causes of sore throat and runny nose that are also almost always associated with fever are:
Yes, a fever may occur with a cold, although it's uncommon in adults. Fever with a cold is more likely to occur in babies and preschool children.
Strep throat—a bacterial infection caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS)—is another cause of sore throat and fever. A runny nose is possible but rarely seen. Common symptoms include a fever, sore throat, swollen neck lymph nodes, and red tonsils, sometimes streaked with white patches.
See a healthcare provider if you think you may have the flu, bacterial sinus infection, or strep throat.
A healthcare provider may prescribe an antiviral drug if you are diagnosed with the flu. Such antiviral medications include:
Being prescribed these medications will depend on factors like illness severity and whether you have any underlying health problems.
Learn More:How the Flu Is Treated
A person with bacterial sinusitis or strep throat requires an antibiotic. Amoxil (amoxicillin) is typically used to treat either infection unless you have a penicillin allergy, in which case an alternative antibiotic will be prescribed.
Learn More:Antibiotics for Sinus Infection
Home Treatment for Sore Throat and Runny NoseVarious home therapies can treat sore throat and runny nose, depending on the root cause.
Sore Throat From InfectionHome treatments to ease a sore throat from infection include:
Speak with a pediatrician if your child is experiencing a sore throat and runny nose. The above treatments may not be appropriate for them. For example:
Related:How a Sore Throat Is Treated
Runny Nose From InfectionHome treatments to ease a runny nose from infection include:
Related:Nasal or Sinus Rinse Recipe and Uses
Sore Throat and Runny Nose From AllergiesIf you are experiencing an allergy-related sore throat and runny nose, one or more of the following treatments may be recommended:
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking an OTC medication. They may interact with other medicines or, in some cases, cause harm.
How to Prevent Sore Throat and Runny NoseA sore throat and runny nose caused by a bacterial or viral infection are contagious. An infection can be transmitted from one person to another, generally through the air or close personal contact.
The following strategies can help prevent infection spread:
The following lifestyle behaviors like these can also enhance immunity and improve overall health and well-being:
If you suspect your sore throat and runny nose are from allergies, an allergist (a medical doctor specializing in allergic diseases) can pinpoint what allergens you are reacting to and, from there, help devise a plan for minimizing or avoiding exposure to them.
SummarySore throat and runny nose are common symptoms that, when seen together, often indicate allergies or an infection like a cold.
Most viral causes of sore throat can be treated with an OTC painkiller and numbing throat lozenge. Likewise, a runny nose may be soothed with an OTC nasal spray or saltwater rinses. Allergy treatment often entails a combination of allergen avoidance and medication.
What Can Cause Concurrent Sore Throat And Bad Breath?
When these symptoms occur separately, sore throat may be associated with short-term illnesses or irritants, while bad breath may be caused by dental diseases, a sinus infection, or certain foods you eat.
However, if you're experiencing both a sore throat and bad breath, they may indicate a different underlying health condition.
Consider the following conditions that can cause a concurrent sore throat and bad breath, as well as other possible symptoms associated with each condition.
TonsilitisTonsilitis is a common condition in which your tonsils become inflamed. It's primarily related to Streptococcus bacterial infections but may also be caused by viral infections.
Aside from sore throat and bad breath, tonsilitis can cause a fever, difficulty swallowing, and swelling of the lymph nodes around your neck. Redness, swelling, and enlargement of your tonsils are all signs a doctor may see in this condition.
Strep throatWhen you have a severe sore throat, one of the first conditions you might think about is strep throat. This is a bacterial infection also caused by group A Streptococcus. It is considered highly contagious.
A sore throat from strep throat tends to have a sudden onset and can make the inside of your throat red. A doctor may also notice red spots on the roof of your mouth and white patches on your tonsils.
In addition to pain in your throat, strep throat can cause bad breath, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. However, unlike other infections, strep throat does not cause cough, hoarseness, or runny nose.
Scarlet fever (scarlatina)Scarlet fever is caused by the same group of bacteria as strep throat and tonsilitis. This infection causes a severe sore throat, along with a whitish coating on your tongue that can cause bad breath.
A high fever of 101°F (38°C) or more is common in scarlet fever. You may experience skin changes, such as a rash that may vary in tone based on your natural skin color. Scarlet fever can also cause bumps on your skin and tongue.
SinusitisAlso called a sinus infection, sinusitis is a bacterial infection that can be mistaken for a cold. It can cause a headache, facial pain, and runny nose. Sinusitis can also cause nasal congestion and postnasal drip, which can irritate your throat and change the way your breath smells.
BronchitisBronchitis is an infection of the bronchi, your lung's main airways. It can cause sore throat, coughing, and wheezing.
Excess mucus production is also common in bronchitis. This can cause your breath to smell bad. Runny nose, headache, and nasal congestion are also possible.
Like the common cold, bronchitis usually gets better on its own, without treatment. However, in 1 in 20 cases, it may progress to pneumonia.
Common coldUnlike bacterial infections, the common cold is a virus that tends to go away without treatment. It has some of the same symptoms as other conditions, including runny nose, sore throat, postnasal drip, cough, and bad breath.
The symptoms of a common cold can last 10–14 days and usually peak after 2–3 days.
Acid refluxIf you're experiencing a sore throat and bad breath without any cold-like symptoms, you may have acid reflux. This condition is marked by a weakened lower esophageal sphincter, which causes stomach acid and some of your stomach's contents to back up into your esophagus. It's often worst in the morning and improves throughout the day.
The regurgitation of acid can leave a burning sensation in your throat, and you may taste bile. Other symptoms of acid reflux include coughing, chest pain, and nausea.
Should You Workout When You're Sick? Here's How To Tell, According To Doctors
Sometimes it hurts and sometimes it helps.
You wake up ready to hit the trail for your favorite weekday run, but when you get out of bed you don't feel so well. You have a throbbing headache, a sore throat, and a runny nose. No fever, thankfully, but you're definitely under the weather. What now?
Is it OK to workout when you're sick—or is it better to take time off? In some cases, a good sweat might help make you feel better and give your body and immune system a boost—in other cases, rest is best, and exercise could make your cold or other illness worse.
"The traditional illness-related criteria for exercising are not evidence-based, but generally accepted," says William O. Roberts, MD, MS, professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School. What you should do depends on how you feel sick.
When You Shouldn't Exercise if You're Sick You have symptoms below the neck."The criteria I use to continue exercise with symptoms of illness are no fever, no symptoms below the neck, and no cough," Dr. Roberts says. In other words, if you don't feel well in your body (think: muscle aches, total body exhaustion), resting is a better choice than powering on with your workout.
"It's probably never good to exercise when you're ill with fever, diarrhea, or vomiting," Dr. Roberts adds. These particular symptoms signal that your whole body (a situation known as systemic) is involved in the illness. They're also symptoms of sickness that are dehydrating, and sweating during exercise could force you to lose more fluids when you should really be replenishing them. In these cases, rest instead of working out.
You're possibly contagious.Airborne viruses spread easily from person to person. If you determine you're feeling bad because of a virus, like a cold or flu, stay home and take a break for the sake of others, especially if you're an indoor gym exerciser.
Tips for Working Out When You're Sick Get cleared to exercise by your doctor.Always check with your doctor before exercising so you can figure out what's causing your symptoms, advises Sarah Pace, ACE-certified personal trainer and corporate fitness regional manager at HealthFitness. You'll want to know if it's a common cold you caught from your neighbor or something more serious.
Choose light- to moderate-intensity movement.If you've determined you're not contagious or experiencing symptoms below the neck—and you feel up for it—you're probably OK for mild exercise. "It's important to reduce your intensity and length of workout," Pace says. You may want to treat the days when you're sick like active recovery days. "Include some stretching or an easy walk instead of your usual routine," if it's more intense, she recommends.
Related:3 Low-Impact Types of Exercise That Relieve Stress While Building Strength
Don't go all-out if you're lifting weights.Planning on weight training? Remember that your body is already dealing with an illness, so a really intense lifting may add unnecessary load to your system. "When you're pushing yourself in a workout, especially with weight training, you're breaking down the muscle fibers and creating micro tears, which creates inflammation in the body," says Nicole Simonin, personal trainer. This is important to remember because, "your body is now divided on taking care of your illness and your 'injured' muscles." Lifting heavy weights may slow your recovery from illness (and also feel harder than usual).
Related:4 Types of Exercise That Help Reduce Inflammation
Ease back into your routine.Once you feel like your old self again, don't push it too quickly. "In the bigger picture, skipping your workouts for a couple of days is not going to set you back significantly," Simonin says. She recommends coming back to your exercise routine slowly and easily. "When you workout, you're creating an inflammatory response in your body. Couple that with being sick, and you're possibly [prolonging] your illness," she adds.
Listen to your body's cues."If you're performing lower-intensity exercise and start to feel crummy, take a break," Pace says. Again, missing a few workouts won't make or break your fitness goals. The most important thing is taking care of your overall health. Sometimes self-care means exercise, but when you're super under the weather, self-care usually means rest.
Related:Sore Muscles? Here Are 6 Recovery Methods to Get Relief
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Originally published April 18, 2023 at 5:17 PM
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