Why does swallowing saliva cause a sore throat, and what should I do?

Generally, the term "throat" refers to the pharynx. Sore throat when swallowing saliva may be caused by excessive voice use, dry throat, common cold, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. Under a doctor's guidance, general treatments and medication can be used for treatment. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Excessive Voice Use

Extended talking, singing, or loud shouting may lead to overuse of the throat, causing pain. This pain is usually due to fatigue of the vocal cords and throat muscles. Medication is generally not required. To avoid this situation, it is advisable to control speaking duration and volume, avoiding excessive voice use.

2. Dry Throat

Dry air may irritate the pharyngeal mucosa, causing throat pain. During autumn and winter seasons or prolonged exposure to air-conditioned environments, individuals may experience dryness and discomfort in the throat, potentially leading to pain. Medication is generally not required. To relieve this pain, using a humidifier to increase indoor humidity or drinking more water to keep the throat moist may help.

3. Common Cold

A common cold may be caused by viral or bacterial infection. During a cold, viruses may multiply in the throat, triggering mucosal congestion, swelling, and immune system responses, which may lead to a sore throat. It is often accompanied by symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and fever. Treatment may include medications like感冒清热颗粒 (Changan Qingre Keli), 风寒感冒颗粒 (Fenghan Ganmao Keli), and 复方氨酚烷胺胶囊 (Compound Paracetamol and Amantadine Capsules), as directed by a physician.

4. Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, usually caused by bacterial infection. The inflammation may cause the tonsils to swell and produce pus, resulting in throat pain when swallowing saliva. It may be accompanied by symptoms such as high fever and difficulty breathing. Treatment may include medications like 罗红霉素胶囊 (Roxithromycin Capsules), 金莲花颗粒 (Golden Lotus Granules), and 蒲地蓝消炎片 (Pudilan Xiaoyan Pian), as directed by a doctor.

5. Pharyngitis

Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the throat mucosa, which may be caused by bacterial, viral, or other pathogenic infections. The inflammation may cause congestion and swelling of the throat mucosa, leading to pain during swallowing. It is usually accompanied by symptoms such as hoarseness, coughing, and sputum production. Treatment may include medications like 疏风解毒胶囊 (Shufeng Jiedu Capsules), 清喉利咽颗粒 (Qinghou Liyan Keli), and 金嗓开音丸 (Jinsang Kaiyin Pills), as recommended by a physician.

In daily life, it is advisable to eat more foods rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts, to enhance immunity, prevent upper respiratory tract infections, and protect throat health.