Cobblestone Throat

is vaping bad for strep throat
is vaping bad for strep throat

What are the most common causes of cobblestone throat?

The bumps associated with cobblestone throat appear when your tonsils and adenoids become irritated and swollen. Your tonsils and adenoids prevent germs from entering your respiratory passages. Mucus coats these tissues and your passageways to further trap germs.

Sometimes, invaders like viruses bypass these defenses and trigger your body’s immune response. When this happens, the tissue in your throat swells and mucus production increases. The increased mucus helps with flushing out germs. The mucus thickens and trickles down your throat (postnasal drip), irritating your tonsils and adenoids. The bumps in your throat are a sign of this irritation.

You can get cobblestoning in your throat from things like:

  • Acid reflux/GERD
  • Allergies
  • Breathing dry air
  • Colds and flu
  • Sinus infections
  • Smoking or vaping
  • STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea
  • Upper respiratory infections

COVID-19 is caused by a virus, which means cobblestone throat may result from an infection. Still, cobblestone throat isn’t a common COVID-19 symptom. Common respiratory infections, like the flu or a cold, are more likely causes.

Can HPV cause cobblestone throat?

Many people with cobblestone throat worry that the bumps are cancerous lumps or signs of an HPV infection that may become throat cancer. But cobblestone throat isn’t related to high-risk strains of HPV or throat cancer.

With cobblestone throat, HPV and oral cancer, you may have a sore throat. But neither an oral HPV infection nor throat cancer produces the characteristic bumps associated with cobblestone throat. You’re more likely to notice a lump in your neck or a red or white patch in your throat if you have a high-risk strain of HPV. Often, HPV doesn’t produce any symptoms.

What causes cobblestone throat that doesn’t hurt?

A sore throat often — but not always — accompanies cobblestone throat. The usual causes may be to blame even if your throat doesn’t hurt (like colds, the flu or allergies). It’s also possible that the raised tissue in your throat is a sign of another condition. If your bumps don’t disappear within a week or two, see a healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis.

This post was last modified on December 5, 2024 10:15 am