Viral pharyngitis often goes away in five to seven days. If you have bacterial pharyngitis, you will feel better after you have taken antibiotics for two to three days. You must take your antibiotic even when you are feeling better. If you don't take all of it, your sore throat could come back.
If a bacterial infection like strep or allergies is the culprit, your sore throat could last longer if not treated with appropriate antibiotics or medications. Once you're properly diagnosed and treated for a bacterial infection, your sore throat should clear up within a day or so.
Symptoms: Viral Sore Throat vs.
Viral sore throat will go away on its own, while strep requires antibiotics. If your sore throat causes trouble swallowing, last longer than 48 hours and/or comes with a fever or rash, see your doctor.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you. Try comforting foods and beverage. Warm liquids — broth, caffeine-free tea or warm water with honey — and cold treats such as ice pops can soothe a sore throat.
In most cases, antibiotics will quickly wipe out the bacteria causing the infection.
Staying hydrated: When the throat becomes dry, it can hurt more. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend keeping a sore throat moist by drinking plenty of fluid or sucking on lozenges. Humidity: Dry air can make sore throats feel worse. Using a humidifier to keep the air moist can provide some relief.
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.
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.
Strep throat, epiglottitis, and esophagitis are some possible causes of pain when swallowing. Throat infections are one of the most common causes of pain when swallowing. These include strep throat, which is an infection with Streptococcal bacteria.
Causes of sore throat include: Viruses, like those that cause colds or flu. The bacteria group A strep, which causes strep throat (also called streptococcal pharyngitis) Allergies.
Some people swear by a folksy remedy of Coca-Cola as a sore throat healer. Others combine it with lemon and ginger for a sore throat. Still many say drinking soda while sick isn't a good idea because it can dehydrate at a time when more fluids are best.
Two different germs cause sore throats – viruses and bacteria. They are both contagious and easily spread to others. The germs hang out in the nose and throat. When the infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, the germs go into the air.
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.
Strep throat typically goes away in three to seven days with or without antibiotic treatment. However, if you don't take antibiotics, you can remain contagious for two to three weeks and are at a higher risk for complications, such as rheumatic fever.
Don't ignore it
If left untreated, strep throat can spread through your body and potentially cause other health issues, including: Rheumatic fever (affects the heart, joints, brain, and skin) Post-Streptococcal glomerulonephritis (a kidney disease) Sinus and ear infections.
Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus. Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate) Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck. Fever.
Chronic pharyngitis is a persistent sore throat that lingers for a few weeks or returns frequently. Chronic pharyngitis may be caused by infection, environmental pollutants, allergies or acid reflux.