Sudden Cold Snap: Prepare for a Surge in Seasonal Sore Throats

Temperatures dropped significantly overnight. As the weather has rapidly turned colder recently, the number of patients complaining of sore throats has been increasing.

Sudden Cold Weather, Beware of Sore Throat... Risk of Pneumonia if Left Untreated. Clipart Korea Provided (Not Related to the Report)

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Depending on the region, temperatures have approached freezing, making it feel like early winter. In mountainous areas of Gangwon Province, the first snow has fallen, and frost has appeared in many inland regions. With this sudden cold spell, it is a time to pay extra attention to personal health management.

The transition from autumn to winter is typically accompanied by an increase in cold cases. Due to abnormal climate conditions, temperatures in mid-October have felt unusually warm, leaving bodies accustomed to the heat unprepared for the sudden chill. When the weather turns cold abruptly, the body’s hormones cannot quickly adapt to the climate change, leading to fatigue and a weakened immune system.

The most common sore throat during seasonal transitions is "acute pharyngitis." Pharyngitis refers to inflammation of both the pharynx and tonsils, most commonly caused by viral or bacterial infections. During these periods, humidity drops, the air becomes dry, and the respiratory tract also becomes dry and sensitive.

A dry respiratory tract cannot effectively filter out viruses or bacteria, resulting in inflammation and leading to the spread of respiratory illnesses, including sore throats.

The main symptoms of a sore throat include fever and loss of appetite. The throat may feel sore and, at times, symptoms such as conjunctivitis or rhinitis may also appear. Symptoms are usually most severe on the second or third day, then gradually improve after four to five days. In such cases, antibiotic treatment is not necessary, and symptomatic care-such as applying an ice pack or taking fever reducers when the fever is high-can help alleviate symptoms. However, if symptoms persist for more than two weeks, if the fever exceeds 39 degrees Celsius, if yellow nasal discharge continues, or if there is ear pain or difficulty breathing, a doctor's diagnosis and treatment are essential.

Drinking lukewarm water frequently, rather than cold or hot water, can help protect the mucous membranes of the throat and aid in expelling phlegm. Indoor humidity should be maintained around 50%, and the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors should be minimized.

Because colds are influenced by lifestyle habits, it is best to avoid overwork, excessive drinking, and smoking during seasonal transitions. Instead of instant foods, meals rich in vitamin C, tea, vegetables, and protein are recommended, along with getting enough rest to relieve fatigue.

If throat pain is severe, consuming cold foods like ice cream or liquid foods like porridge can help, and if the fever is high, do not hesitate to visit a hospital. Eating cold foods may temporarily reduce throat pain and give the impression that the sore throat is improving, but it does not fundamentally treat the viruses that cause colds.

Chae Seungbyung, head of the internal medicine department at Ulsan Elijah Hospital, explained, "If you have conditions such as rhinitis, you may breathe through your mouth, which allows dust and foreign substances to easily enter the respiratory tract and causes it to dry out. A dry and sensitive respiratory tract cannot effectively filter out viruses, making it easier to catch a sore throat. Therefore, before winter arrives, it is important to treat conditions like rhinitis that can be underlying causes, and to create an environment that takes your health status into account."

Dr. Chae also emphasized, "If you simply dismiss it as a cold and leave it untreated, complications such as pneumonia can develop. For the elderly with weakened immune systems, there is a risk of death from complications like pneumonia. Therefore, if early cold symptoms appear, it is crucial to visit a hospital and receive prompt treatment."

To prevent sore throats, maintaining personal hygiene is essential. After going outside, it is important to wash your hands and brush your teeth, follow basic hygiene rules, avoid close contact with people who have symptoms such as coughing or phlegm, and refrain from visiting crowded places during cold season. Even healthy individuals should get vaccinated against influenza in advance and wear masks when symptoms appear to prevent spreading colds to the elderly or vulnerable.

Reducing excessive stress and getting moderate exercise also help prevent colds. For those who do not exercise regularly, brisk walking, jumping rope, tennis, badminton, or cycling can strengthen immunity without putting strain on the joints, and indoor exercises such as aerobics or fitness training are also suitable during seasonal changes. It is best to exercise for at least 30 minutes to the point of being slightly out of breath during this period.

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