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.
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.
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. A fever, especially if it's over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
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.
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.
Pain when swallowing. Sore throat that can start very quickly and may look red. Red and swollen tonsils. White patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils.
Most sore throats are caused by viruses, such as the cold or flu virus. Some of the more serious causes of sore throat include tonsillitis, strep throat, and mononucleosis (mono). Other causes include smoking, mouth breathing at night while you sleep, pollution, and allergies to pets, pollens and molds.
Sore throats caused by viruses typically improve within 5-7 days. Go to the doctor if you or your child has a sore throat lasting longer than a week, or if the sore throat is accompanied by: 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.
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.
A. Strep throat typically resolves in three to five days if untreated. Despite the short duration, antibiotic treatment is recommended to reduce the risk of complications.
When to seek medical attention for a sore throat: If the pain is severe or lasts more than a few days. If the sore throat is accompanied by swollen glands that cause difficulty breathing or prevent the person from swallowing fluids.
Most sore throats will get better on their own within one week. Your doctor may prescribe other medicine or give you tips to help you feel better. When antibiotics aren't needed, they won't help you, and their side effects could still cause harm.
If you do not feel well, you should be tested for COVID-19. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, feeling tired, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, throwing up or feeling like you need to, and diarrhea.
If your sore throat is caused by a contagious condition, you are sick enough to stay home. However, if your sore throat has been caused by dry air, allergies, overuse of you voice, acid reflux, etc., you are not contagious, and it is safe for you to go to work.
Cold, Flu, or Sinus Infection
A sore throat that causes painful swallowing often signals that you're getting one of these common illnesses. It can start a day before other symptoms like a runny nose and cough. If it's a cold, you'll need to wait it out by sipping fluids and getting plenty of rest.
The Takeaway
You should only take an antibiotic to cure a sore throat if you know it is strep throat caused by bacteria. This can be confirmed by a rapid strep test or throat culture. Sore throats typically go away on their own in 3-7 days.
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.
Rapid strep test kits are available over the counter at drugstores and do not require a doctor's prescription. These tests are quick and easy to use, giving you results in as little as five minutes. It works just like a rapid test that doctors perform.
Sometimes viral illnesses cause a sore throat that may be mistaken for strep throat. These include common cold viruses, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza (the "flu"), croup, mononucleosis (“mono”), measles, and chickenpox.
Warm liquids — broth, caffeine-free tea or warm water with honey — and cold treats such as ice pops can soothe a sore throat.
So those are the classic symptoms of strep: sore throat without a cough, with tender, swollen lymph nodes in your neck, with a fever, and with white stuff on your tonsils.