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.
See your doctor as soon as possible if your sore throat lasts longer than one week or is accompanied by:
See a GP if:
you or your child's sore throat does not improve after a week. you often get a sore throat. you have a sore throat and symptoms like a lump in your mouth or neck, or a mouth ulcer that lasts for more than 3 weeks.
You may need antibiotics if your sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection such as strep throat. Signs include severe pain, white patches on the tonsils, swollen glands, and a high temperature without a cough.
To soothe a child's sore throat, offer plenty of fluids, soft foods like yogurt or soup, and cold treats like popsicles, while using pain relievers like children's ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed (never aspirin for kids). For older kids (over 4), salt water gargles and lozenges help, and honey (over age 1) can soothe, but always ensure hydration, rest, and avoid smoke irritants, seeing a doctor for severe symptoms.
Five common signs of strep throat include a sudden, painful sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, red and swollen tonsils with white patches, and swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck, often without typical cold symptoms like a cough. Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth (petechiae) and a sandpaper-like rash (scarlet fever) can also occur.
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.
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.
Sore throat that started very quickly and may look red. Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck. Tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth, called petechiae. White patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils.
Throat lozenges, numbing sprays, and ibuprofen work quickly to reduce symptoms.
Contact your healthcare provider if your sore throat lasts longer than a week. Reach out if you have any of the following symptoms: Severe throat pain. Trouble breathing or swallowing.
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.
(Pharyngitis; Tonsillitis; Tonsillopharyngitis)
Infections of the throat and/or tonsils are common, particularly among children. Throat infections are usually caused by a virus but may be caused by bacteria such as streptococcal bacteria. Symptoms include severe pain when swallowing and swollen, red tonsils.
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.
Sepsis happens when the body's immune system goes into overdrive in response to an infection. It is often referred to as septicaemia or blood poisoning. Everybody is potentially at risk of developing sepsis from minor infections, such as a bacterial throat infection.
Yes. Strep throat is very contagious. Some people with the infection don't have symptoms or look sick. But even if you don't have symptoms, you can still easily spread the infection to others.
The typical strep throat symptoms that health care providers look for include:
A mild sore throat usually isn't a cause for concern, but some cases need medical attention. See a doctor if you experience: A sore throat lasting longer than a week. Persistent pain could indicate an underlying condition like chronic postnasal drip, acid reflux, or tonsillitis.
Any condition that irritates the esophagus will most likely cause painful swallowing. The esophagus carries food and liquid from your mouth to the stomach. Unfortunately, you can experience inflammation in the esophagus due to allergic reactions, acid reflux, infections, or medications.
Ignoring a sore throat can allow infections to spread beyond the throat and cause complications like: Tonsillitis: Inflammation and swelling of tonsils, sometimes with white patches. Sinus or ear infections: Bacteria can spread to nearby areas.
Use the following to ease the symptoms of a sore throat:
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.
But your doctor may be able to determine the cause by listening to your medical history and doing a physical exam. If necessary, they can also order a blood or urine test to help confirm a diagnosis, or a "culture test" of tissue to identify bacteria or viruses.
A common cause of sore throat is an infection from a virus, such as: a cold or the flu. COVID-19. glandular fever.