A sore throat from a common virus usually lasts 5 to 7 days, resolving on its own, but can range from 3 to 10 days. If it's bacterial (like strep), antibiotics help symptoms improve in 2-3 days, but you must finish the full course. Persistent or severe sore throats, especially with high fever, trouble swallowing/breathing, or rashes, need a doctor's visit.
See your doctor as soon as possible if your sore throat lasts longer than one week or is accompanied by: Fever of 103 F (39.4 C) or higher. Hoarse voice for more than one week. Pus on the back of your throat.
How to treat a sore throat yourself
Stage 1 of a sore throat, often the start of a cold or flu, involves early symptoms like a tickle, scratchiness, or mild pain in the throat, possibly with sneezing, usually appearing 1-3 days after infection, and can be managed with rest, fluids, saltwater gargles, and OTC pain relievers, but see a doctor if it's severe, lasts over a week, or comes with a high fever or trouble breathing.
Symptoms might include:
A viral sore throat often comes with cold symptoms like a cough, runny nose, and hoarseness, while a bacterial one (strep throat) usually hits suddenly with severe pain, high fever, no cough, and white spots/pus on tonsils, but only a doctor's test (strep test) can confirm, as symptoms overlap and look similar.
Chronic pharyngitis is a sore throat that lasts longer than 10 days or keeps coming back. Infections, allergies and toxins in your environment can cause it. Treatments include medications and home remedies. You should tell your healthcare provider if you have a persistent sore throat.
June 26, 2025 – The new COVID-19 variant that now makes up about a third of U.S. COVID cases has a signature symptom: a painful sore throat that feels like "razor blades." "This 'razor blade sore throat' was reported as a common symptom in China," where the variant first emerged in May, said Matthew S.
The best medicine for a sore throat depends on the cause, but over-the-counter options like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) help with pain and fever, while lozenge/sprays offer topical relief; for viral causes, rest and fluids are key, but bacterial infections (like strep) require prescription antibiotics, so see a doctor if symptoms are severe. Always check ingredients, follow dosing, and avoid aspirin for children under 16.
Five common signs of strep throat are a sudden, painful sore throat, fever, swollen tonsils (often with white patches or pus), swollen, tender neck glands, and sometimes tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth (petechiae), often appearing without typical cold symptoms like coughing.
To quickly relieve a sore throat, use over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain and inflammation, along with soothing remedies like honey (not for infants), throat sprays (with lidocaine), and warm salt water gargles, while getting rest and staying hydrated to speed healing.
Overuse or irritants: You can strain your throat by yelling or screaming. You may also develop a sore throat if you eat spicy food, smoke or drink very hot liquids. Mouth breathing: You may have a sore throat if you breathe through your mouth instead of your nose when you're sleeping.
8 Foods and Drinks to Soothe Your Sore Throat
Red flags for a sore throat that need urgent care include difficulty breathing or swallowing, severe pain (especially on one side), drooling, inability to open your mouth fully, stiff neck, confusion, high fever with shivering, dehydration signs, or blood in saliva, as these can signal serious issues like airway obstruction, severe infection, or rare conditions needing immediate attention. See a doctor if it lasts over a week, recurs often, or if you have night sweats, unexplained weight loss, or a weakened immune system.
A cold often starts with a runny nose and sore throat, followed by coughing and sneezing. You're contagious a day or two before this starts and for as long as you feel sick, usually a week or two. It may be longer if you already have breathing problems or a weak immune system.
Many different viral illnesses can cause sore throat. Some common ones are rhinovirus (common cold), flu, adenovirus, and coronaviruses, like COVID-19. These typically lead to redness and rawness in the back of the throat. One virus that really mimics strep throat is the Epstein-Barr virus, the virus that causes mono.
Self care
Here are practical strategies to manage a sore throat and mouth breathing so you can improve your sleep quality:
While choosing food and drinks that will soothe and protect your sore throat, consider what will help you heal in addition to providing relief, including:
Symptom check: Is it COVID-19 or a cold? COVID-19 symptoms usually start 2 to 14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. But symptoms of a common cold usually appear 1 to 3 days after exposure to a cold-causing virus. There's no cure for the common cold.
Possible symptoms include:
A sore throat without a fever can be caused by a number of things, from allergies and dry air to acid reflux and vocal strain. While it's often nothing serious, some cases can linger longer than expected and may need medical attention.
Sore throat symptoms that need medical attention
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. “If it's going on too long, seems too severe or is associated with other worrisome symptoms, definitely seek care,” Dr.
Contact a doctor if your sore throat is severe, doesn't feel better after a few days, or is accompanied by a high fever or swollen glands. These symptoms could be signs of a bacterial infection, such as strep throat.