Table 3 Perceived causes of throat discomfort by country
Mean annual frequency of suffering by cause* | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UK | France | Poland | Malaysia | Overall† | |
Common cold/influenza | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 |
Other bacteria/virus | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
Talking/shouting | 8 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Hot/dry indoor conditions | 13 | 7 | 13 | 10 | 11 |
Dust/other outdoor conditions | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
Air conditioning | 13 | 9 | 8 | 18 | 12 |
Excess alcohol | 11 | 7 | 9 | 15 | 11 |
Smoking | 13 | 22 | 17 | 18 | 18 |
Passive smoking | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 |
Hay fever | 18 | 8 | 10 | 3 | 10 |
Specific allergy | 14 | 13 | 18 | 12 | 14 |
Airborne pollution | 11 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Sudden temperature change | 10 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 8 |
Snoring | 25 | 29 | 15 | 13 | 21 |