Throat infection symptoms include a sore, scratchy, or painful throat, difficulty swallowing/talking, red/swollen tonsils (sometimes with white patches/pus), and swollen neck glands, often accompanied by fever, cough, runny nose, headache, and tiredness, but can also involve ear pain, rash, or stomach issues, depending on the cause (viral, bacterial like strep, or other).
Symptoms
Usually, a sore throat caused by a virus goes away on its own in 5 to 7 days and doesn't need treatment. Antibiotics don't treat a virus. To ease pain and fever, many people use acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or other mild pain relievers.
Strep Throat: When to Suspect
Symptoms include sore throat, fever, headache, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. Cough, hoarseness, red eyes, and runny nose are usually not seen with Strep throat. These symptoms point more to a viral cause.
Most sore throat symptoms go away with home care within a few days. But you should contact a healthcare provider if your sore throat lasts longer than a week, gets worse or you develop symptoms like a fever or swollen lymph nodes.
Signs and symptoms of strep throat can include:
“Sore throats are very common. While viral infections are the most common cause, severe or persistent pain may be indicative of a more serious problem. If your throat pain lasts longer than 3 weeks or if you are concerned, visit your local doctor.”
Tea with Lemon
Chamomile tea and peppermint tea are ideal warm drinks when you are suffering from a sore throat. They have anti-inflammatory compounds, and chamomile will help you fall into a peaceful sleep, making it the perfect night time drink when you're sick.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water thins mucus, making it easier to clear. Warm Liquids: Herbal tea, warm water with honey, or clear broths help soothe the throat and loosen phlegm. Saline Gargle: A saltwater rinse reduces irritation and breaks up mucus.
Sore throat symptoms
If you have strep throat, your throat and tonsils may appear red, sore and swollen. You may also have white patches, spots or streaks of pus on your throat and tonsils. In addition, you may develop tiny, red spots on the roof of your mouth called petechiae.
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.
Epiglottitis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the epiglottis — a small cartilage "lid" that covers your windpipe — swells, blocking the flow of air into your lungs. Epiglottitis is a medical emergency.
3 signs your vocal cords may be damaged
Get help from NHS 111 now if:
you have pus-filled spots on your tonsils. you have a sore throat so painful it's difficult to eat or drink.
Severe “monopharyngitis” usually requires a hospitalization while the diagnosis is being secured and the patient is given IV fluids and IV steroids (dexamethasone 10mg IV q 12H) and often IV antibiotics (Cleocin, ampicillin) to treat an associated secondary bacterial infection of the tonsils.