One of the commonest causes of illness, a sore throat often clears up on its own, but knowing what's causing it is important to treat it properly. Viral, bacterial, or caused by allergic elements - these kinds of sore throats have different characteristics that need different responses.

Sore throats have several origins, including infection and environmental factors. Some common causes include:

Viral infections: Viruses cause 90% of sore throat cases. Sore throats may result due to flu or common cold as well as those from chickenpox and measles that can all cause irritation.

Bacterial Infections: Streptococcus bacteria, the most common cause of strep throat, is the most common bacterial source. Strep throat is contagious and can lead to complications if untreated.

Allergies: Pollen, pet dander, and mold can trigger throat irritation, often accompanied by postnasal drip, sneezing, and watery eyes.

Environmental Factors: Dry air, pollution, and smoke can dry out or irritate the throat, creating a scratchy sensation.

Other Causes: GERD, vocal strain, even tumors may be responsible for chronic sore throats.

How to Distinguish Between Viral, Bacterial, and Allergic Sore Throats

Determining your cause of sore throat requires analysis of symptoms that accompany it, how long the sore throat lasts, and how bad the sore throat is.

Viral Sore Throats

The viruses that cause a sore throat are usually similar to a cold in their symptoms and tend to be milder than bacterial infections.

Symptoms of Viral Sore Throat

- Red, swollen throat without white patches

- Persistent cough

- Runny nose and nasal congestion

- Fever, usually mild

Duration: Viral infections last for 7–10 days without antibiotics.

Treatment: Home remedies, such as warm fluids, saltwater gargling, and over-the-counter pain relievers can help alleviate it.

Also Read: Flu Season Grips 40 States In US, CDC Reports Alarming Numbers

Bacterial Sore Throats

Bacterial sore throats, mainly strep throat, are more severe and require prompt medical attention to prevent complications.

Symptoms of Bacterial Sore Throat

- Red and swollen tonsils with white patches or streaks of pus

- High fever

- Absence of a cough

- Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain (especially in children)

- Small red spots on the roof of the mouth

Diagnosis: Rapid strep tests or throat cultures confirm the presence of bacteria.

Treatment: Antibiotics are necessary to eliminate the infection. Without treatment, complications like rheumatic fever or abscesses can develop.

Sore Throats Caused by Allergies

Throat irritation is caused by postnasal drip. Allergies create a buildup and drip of mucus down the back of the throat.

Allergic Sore Throat Symptoms

- Irritation of the throat and ears

- Runny eyes, sneezing, and nasal congestion

- These symptoms are usually relieved by antihistamines or removal from the source of the allergen

Duration: Allergic sore throats are sustained for as long as the allergens are exposed.

When to Seek Medical Care?

A sore throat should be taken to a doctor if:

- The condition lasts more than a week.

- There is shortness of breath or swallowing becomes painful.

- Swelling is too pronounced or the pain in the throat is extreme.

- High fever, rash, or joint pain occur along with the sore throat.

- A child shows signs of dehydration or refuses fluids due to throat pain.

Early diagnosis can prevent complications and speed recovery.

Effective Treatment for Sore Throats

Home Remedies for Viral and Allergy-Related Sore Throats

Viral infections and allergies often respond well to non-invasive treatments:

• Drink warm teas, broths, or water to soothe the throat.
• Gargling with warm, salty water can reduce inflammation.
• These help soothe an irritated throat and can alleviate coughing.

Let your body rest sufficiently. Humidifying dry air will help keep the throat moist, especially when winter is on its way.

Why Not All Sore Throats Require Antibiotics?

Bacterial infections require antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin. Finish the treatment completely to avoid reoccurrence or resistance.

How to Keep Sore Throats at Bay When Winter Is Near

Prevention is better than cure, and simple lifestyle changes can reduce your risk:

• Wash your hands frequently to avoid infections.
• Avoid close contact with sick individuals.
• Use air purifiers to minimize exposure to irritants.
• Stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet to boost immunity.

Understanding the cause of your sore throat—whether viral, bacterial, or allergic—is key to effective treatment and recovery. While many sore throats resolve on their own, seeking timely medical advice for persistent or severe symptoms can prevent complications. Prioritize self-care, and don’t hesitate to consult a doctor when needed. Remember, your throat’s health is a vital part of your overall well-being.

If you smoke or around people who smoke, you may have heard them exclaim how smoking makes them lose appetite and helps them lose weight. If you are a person who struggles with weight gain, this logic may appeal to you, however, it could affect you in a completely different way than you realize. Type 2 diabetes is more common than you may realize, more than 38 million Americans have diabetes and 90% to 95% of them have type 2 diabetes (CDC data).

One of the best ways to contain type 2 diabetes is by losing weight. If you think that smoking could be a way to lose this weight, you may want to re-think that.

New research suggests that smoking increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, regardless of the specific subtype a person might have. This study, which combines data from Sweden, Norway, and Finland, also found that people with a genetic risk for diabetes are even more vulnerable to the negative effects of smoking.

What Are The Sub-Types of Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is not a one-size-fits-all condition. Researchers have proposed that it can be broken down into four distinct subtypes, each with different characteristics and health risks.

• SIRD (Severe Insulin-Resistant Diabetes): The body's cells do not respond well to insulin.
• SIDD (Severe Insulin-Deficient Diabetes): The body does not produce enough insulin.
• MOD (Mild Obesity-Related Diabetes): Linked to obesity, often starting at a younger age.
• MARD (Mild Age-Related Diabetes): Develops later in life.

How Does Smoking Affect Diabetes?

The study, which analyzed data from over 3,300 people with type 2 diabetes and almost 3,900 healthy individuals, found a strong connection between smoking and all four diabetes subtypes.

Increased Risk for All Subtypes

People who had ever smoked (current and past smokers) were at a higher risk of developing any of the four diabetes subtypes compared to non-smokers.

What Diabetes Was Linked To Smoking?

The connection was particularly strong for SIRD, the type of diabetes where the body resists insulin. Smokers were more than twice as likely (2.15 times) to develop SIRD than non-smokers. Smoking was also responsible for over a third of all SIRD cases in the study.

Heavy Smoking Increases Risk Further: Heavy smokers (those who smoked at least 20 cigarettes a day for 15 years) had an even higher risk for all four subtypes, with the risk for SIRD being 2.35 times higher than for non-smokers.

Smokeless Tobacco: The study also found a link between heavy use of snus (a smokeless tobacco product) and an increased risk of the more severe diabetes subtypes (SIRD and SIDD) in men.

Could Your Genetics Put You At Higher Risk of Diabetes?

The research also explored how smoking affects people who are already at a high genetic risk for diabetes. The findings showed that heavy smokers with a genetic predisposition for poor insulin production were particularly vulnerable. For example, a heavy smoker with a high genetic risk for impaired insulin secretion was over three times more likely (3.52-fold) to develop SIRD compared to a person without these risk factors.

The study's overall conclusion is clear: smoking raises the risk of type 2 diabetes, regardless of which subtype a person is prone to developing.

If you are in Delhi-NCR and have recently been coughing, sneezing, or running a fever, you are not alone. A recent LocalCircles survey shows that 69 per cent of households in the region currently have one or more members experiencing Covid, flu, or viral fever-like symptoms.

The report, titled “Viral illnesses soar in Delhi NCR as 69% households surveyed confirm one or more members experiencing symptoms,” highlights a sharp increase from 54 per cent in March 2025 to 69 per cent now. Here’s a closer look at the H3N2 virus, its symptoms, and the precautions you should take.

What Is the H3N2 Virus?

The virus spreads rapidly through droplets from coughing, sneezing, or even talking. It can also spread when a person touches contaminated surfaces and then touches their face. H3N2 can be particularly dangerous for young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that in these groups, H3N2 can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and hospitalization.

ALSO READ: Global Warming Is Driving a Surge in Dengue Cases, Study Warns

Symptoms of H3N2 Virus to Watch ForAccording to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), H3N2 has been the predominant strain causing the recent surge in flu cases across India. Data from hospital admissions for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) indicates that 50% of these patients tested positive for H3N2.

Common symptoms include:

• Sudden high fever (often above 38–39°C) with chills
• Persistent cough and sore throat
• Severe fatigue, weakness, and body aches
• Headache and nasal congestion
• In children: nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

ALSO READ: West Nile Virus Isn't Over Yet, New Cases In US On Rise

Precautions Against H3N2 Virus

• Wash hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Wear masks in crowded or poorly ventilated areas
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; dispose of tissues immediately
• Avoid close contact with sick individuals; isolate infected household members if possible
• Keep living spaces well-ventilated
• Maintain good nutrition, hydration, and adequate rest
• Consider the seasonal influenza vaccine, which often protects against H3N2 strains—especially important for children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses

H3N2 in the United States

The WHO continues to stress that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza, particularly for high-risk groups and their caregivers.

Recently weight loss medication has gained a lot of popularity. Many people are getting these medicines prescribed in order to lose weight; however, it is not as straightforward of a process as we think it is. There are various aspects of it you should know about before you start taking the medication. One of which is that one needs to take it consistently even after they lose weight because they may gain weight back. How effective the medicine is on you also matters.

Whenever it comes to new medication that can majorly alter a person’s lifestyle physique as well as how their body functions, like Ozempic, one has to be very careful with the doses.

While too much of it can trigger health issues, less of it may not give you the desired effect. So, what should a person do when they are not seeing the results they want? A new study shows that a higher dosage than what we currently have approved, could actually help with better weight loss in obese adults.

An international study has found that a higher weekly dose of the drug semaglutide (7.2 mg) is safe and more effective for weight loss than the currently approved dose (2.4 mg). The findings, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, suggest that this higher dose could be a new and powerful option for adults living with obesity, including those who also have type 2 diabetes.

How Much Semaglutide Dosage Helped People Lose Weight?

In adults who do not have diabetes, a 7.2 mg weekly dose of semaglutide led to a significant average weight loss of almost 19%. This is a notable improvement over the 16% weight loss seen with the standard 2.4 mg dose and a 4% loss in the placebo group (who received a dummy treatment).

Almost half of the participants on the higher dose lost 20% or more of their body weight, with about one-third losing at least 25%. These participants also saw improvements in their waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels, which are all important for reducing health risks related to obesity.

For adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes, the 7.2 mg dose also showed better results. These individuals experienced an average weight loss of 13%, compared to 10% with the 2.4 mg dose and 3.9% with the placebo. The higher dose also led to significant reductions in blood sugar levels and waist size.

Is It Safe To Take More Semaglutide?

The study found that the higher dose of semaglutide was safe and well-tolerated overall. The most common side effects were gastrointestinal issues, like nausea and diarrhea, and some tingling sensations. However, most of these side effects were manageable, resolved on their own over time, and did not cause people to drop out of the trial. The researchers did not find any increase in serious health problems or severe drops in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) with the higher dose.

Researchers believe this higher dose could help more people achieve their health goals and reduce the worldwide burden of obesity. They also noted that more research is needed to fully understand the long-term benefits and risks.