How do I know if my sore throat is serious?

When should I be concerned about sore throat?

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.

How long should a sore throat last before going to the doctor?

A sore throat can happen for many reasons, ranging from a common cold to mono, herpes, or HIV infections. Symptoms usually go away after a few days. People should see a doctor if a sore throat lasts 6 days or more, or they have a fever or other symptoms.

When does a sore throat get serious?

Very rarely, a sore throat can be a sign of a serious problem. Visit your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department or call 999 for an ambulance immediately if: your symptoms are severe or getting worse quickly. you have difficulty breathing.

How long should a severe sore throat last?

Usually, no specific medical treatment is needed if a virus is causing the sore throat. The throat most often gets better on its own within five to seven days. Antibiotic medicine does not cure viral pharyngitis.

ASK UNMC How do I know if I have strep throat?

How do I know if my sore throat is viral or bacterial?

A viral sore throat is typically accompanied by other cold-like symptoms, such as cough, sneeze, runny nose and a hoarse or raspy voice. “A strep infection can make it feel very painful to swallow, and often comes with fever of 101-degrees or higher,” said Schairer.

What if my sore throat is getting worse?

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.

Can a doctor do anything for a sore throat?

If your or your child's sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor or pediatrician will prescribe antibiotics. You or your child must take the full course of antibiotics as prescribed even if the symptoms are gone.

Can you be hospitalized for sore throat?

In rare cases, a sore throat can be considered an emergency. If you or someone in your care experiences difficulty breathing, drooling, and significant difficulty swallowing, visit a hospital ER immediately.

What happens if a sore throat isn't treated?

If untreated, strep throat can cause complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can lead to painful and inflamed joints, a specific type of rash, or heart valve damage.

What kind of sore throat do I have?

Sore throats are divided into types, based on the part of the throat they affect: Pharyngitis causes swelling and soreness in the throat. Tonsillitis is swelling and redness of the tonsils, the soft tissue in the back of the mouth. Laryngitis is swelling and redness of the voice box, or larynx.

How do you know if you have strep throat or just a sore throat?

How long does a sore throat last without antibiotics?

If your sore throat is caused by a virus, it will likely go away on its own in 4 to 5 days. If you have strep throat, which is caused by bacteria, it will likely go away on its own in 3 to 7 days.

Why does my throat hurt too much to swallow?

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.

What are the causes of severe sore throat?

Why is my throat so sore I can't swallow?

The most common cause of a sore throat is a virus like a cold or the flu, COVID-19 or glandular fever. Less than 1 in 3 sore throats is caused by a bacterial infection. Some sore throats are caused by the bacteria Strepococcus pyogenes. This is sometimes called a strep throat.

Can urgent care look at my throat?

Your urgent care doctor will examine your mouth and throat to evaluate how irritated or infected your throat looks before ordering a rapid strep test. Your doctor will also examine your lymph nodes and ensure that there are no abscesses present.

What is usually prescribed for a sore throat?

If a doctor identifies that the cause of the sore throat is a bacterial infection, they will prescribe antibiotics. For example, streptococcal pharyngitis or strep throat, is a common cause of a sore throat. The best antibiotics to take for strep throat are typically either penicillin or amoxicillin.

Is ibuprofen good for a sore throat?

Ibuprofen (generic Advil or Motrin)

It soothes a sore throat by blocking substances in the body that help create pain and inflammation. It's often a go-to OTC medication to help relieve mild fevers, pain, and inflammation.

What can I take for a severe sore throat?

Why do I have a sore throat and no fever?

Most sore throats are caused by viruses or bacteria, which often come with other signs of infection, such as a fever. Even so, there are other causes of a sore throat that may not present with a fever, including allergies, acid reflux, colds, STIs, environmental pollutants, or even cancer.

How do you know if you have a throat infection?

People with a throat infection have severe pain with swallowing and usually speaking. The pain is sometimes also felt in the ears. Some people have fever, headache, and an upset stomach. The tonsils are red and swollen and sometimes have white patches on them.

What does a viral throat infection feel like?

This is called pharyngitis. Often, Group A strep bacteria cause pharyngitis, known as strep throat. The main symptom of pharyngitis is a sore throat, but you may also have other signs of an infection, such as a fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, and swollen glands in your neck.

How can I test for strep throat at home?

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.

Why is sore throat worse at night?

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.