Cough is a defensive reflex of the body that functions to keep the airways clear of irritating or obstructing substances so that breathing, especially the intake of oxygen, is effective.
Cough is also the most frequent symptom of respiratory disease. Coughing that brings up thick mucus can be due to cold or respiratory infections.
Cough due to upper respiratory infections is usually harmless although it can affect your quality of life as it can be irritating and distressing to yourself and others.
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A sore throat is often the first sign of a cold or influenza, and 85-90% of the time, it is caused by viruses. Most cases of acute sore throat due to upper respiratory tract infections are usually not serious and are self-limiting, generally improving within a week.
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Throat infections involve the whole back of your throat or just your tonsils. Tonsils are small lumps of tissue in the back of your throat. Tonsils help fight infection but sometimes get infected themselves. Infection of the tonsils is called tonsillitis.
Everyone gets throat infections, but tonsillitis happens mostly to children. Throat infections are usually caused by a virus but may be caused by bacteria. Symptoms include swollen, red tonsils and severe pain when you swallow.
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