Viruses cause most sore throats, and medicine (like antibiotics) can't cure viruses. You can only relieve your aches and pains. Viruses heal without antibiotics on their own with time. Because strep throat is a bacterial infection, you need antibiotics to clear it up.
You do not normally need antibiotics for a sore throat because they will not usually relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery. They'll only be prescribed if a GP thinks you could have a bacterial infection.
If the sore throat causes trouble swallowing, lasts longer than 48 hours, or comes with a fever or rash, see your doctor. “Strep will not go away on its own, and if not treated with antibiotics, can develop into something more serious, especially in children, so don't delay getting medical attention,” said Schairer.
Usually, no specific medical treatment is needed if a virus is causing the sore throat. The throat most often gets better on its own within five to seven days. Antibiotic medicine does not cure viral pharyngitis. For acute pharyngitis caused by bacteria, your health-care provider may prescribe an antibiotic.
Knowing whether your sore throat is viral or bacterial is usually determined by symptoms. Viral sore throats usually consist of a cough, swelling in the throat, and runny nose whereas bacterial sore throats are typically accompanied with nausea and vomiting, stomach ache, and there is no cough.
Caused by the group A streptococcus bacteria, strep throat is an infection that requires prompt treatment, particularly in children over the age of 3. Left untreated, strep throat can lead to kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever, a serious illness that can cause stroke and permanent damage to the heart.
Sore throat symptoms that need medical attention
Viral sore throats typically show signs of improvement within five days. But if your symptoms don't improve or you have a fever of 101 or higher that lasts for a few days, it may be time to see your primary care physician.
Usually, sore throats go away without treatment within 3 to 4 days. Seek medical attention if: you have trouble breathing or swallowing (or if your baby is drooling) you have a stiff or swollen neck.
In most cases, your sore throat will improve with at-home treatment. However, it's time to see your doctor if a severe sore throat and a fever over 101 degrees lasts longer than one to two days; you have difficulty sleeping because your throat is blocked by swollen tonsils or adenoids; or a red rash appears.
If untreated, strep throat can cause complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can lead to painful and inflamed joints, a specific type of rash, or heart valve damage.
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if the symptoms are severe and include high fever along with nasal drainage and a productive cough. Antibiotics may also be necessary if you feel better after a few days and then your symptoms return or if the infection lasts more than a week.
The most common cause of a sore throat (pharyngitis) is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. A sore throat caused by a virus resolves on its own. Strep throat (streptococcal infection), a less common type of sore throat caused by bacteria, requires treatment with antibiotics to prevent complications.
The most common strep throat treatment is antibiotics, such as penicillin or amoxicillin. Research suggests that just mentioning a sore throat to a doctor almost guarantees a prescription for antibiotics, even though viral infections cause 85 to 90 percent of sore throats in adults.
The right sore throat treatment depends on the underlying causes. In most cases, home remedies like sipping warm, soothing drinks work well. To reduce inflammation and the pain, you can take an over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or paracetamol.
Strepsils provides fast acting relief which helps prevent sore throat pain from getting worse. Not only do Strepsils Honey & Lemon Lozenges soothe your throat, they also help fight bacteria too as they contains two effective antiseptics.
According to a study published in the Journal of Pain, caffeine can enhance the pain-relieving effects of analgesics in individuals with sore throat symptoms. This suggests that coffee may help alleviate the pain associated with sore throat symptoms.
Drink water, tea (herbal or decaf), broth, soup, and non-caffeinated sports drinks e.g. Gatorade. Hot tea with lemon and honey can help. Gargle with warm salt-water. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of regular table salt in 8 ounces (240 ml) of warm water, gargle for a few seconds, spit it out, then repeat a few times.
Most sore throats go away within a few days. You should contact a healthcare provider if your sore throat lasts longer than a few days or if you have a sore throat and the following issues: Severe throat pain. Trouble breathing or swallowing.
The main symptom of pharyngitis is a sore throat, but you may also have other signs of an infection, such as a fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, and swollen glands in your neck. Your doctor will notice that your pharynx is swollen and red when looking at your throat.
People with a throat infection have severe pain with swallowing and usually speaking. The pain is sometimes also felt in the ears. Some people have fever, headache, and an upset stomach. The tonsils are red and swollen and sometimes have white patches on them.
If you have a sore throat that lasts for more than five to seven days, you should see your doctor. While increasing your liquid intake, gargling with warm salt water, or taking over-the-counter pain relievers may help, if appropriate, your doctor may write you a prescription for an antibiotic.
Excess mucus in the throat can lead to itching, irritation, and soreness. Postnasal drip typically increases when a person is lying down. As a result, a sore throat may worsen at night or first thing in the morning. Exposure to certain allergens at night may also worsen postnasal drip and sore throat.
Sour, pickled, or brined foods: Foods made with vinegar or salt, such as pickles, can worsen the inflammation of a sore throat. Tomato juice and sauces: The acidic nature of tomatoes can make them a poor choice for people with sore throats.