When to See a Doctor About a Sore Throat (2024)

There are many common causes of sore throat, including bacterial infection and environmental factors. Knowing the cause can help you quickly identify the best course of action for treatment. Finding answers early may help prevent your sore throat symptoms from worsening.

Make a note of these common symptoms and causes of a sore throat to decide if now is the time to see a health care provider.

Sore throat symptoms include pain, scratchiness, redness or irritation in the throat, and pain when swallowing. Other accompanying symptoms may include swollen glands, hoarseness or loss of voice, and coughing.

Common Causes of Sore Throat

  • Allergies
  • Bacteria group A strep, which causes strep throat (also called streptococcal pharyngitis)
  • Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
  • Viruses, like those that cause colds or flu

Infections from viruses are the most common cause of sore throats. Strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by bacteria. These bacteria are called group A Streptococcus (also called Streptococcus pyogenes).

Sore Throat Treatment

A doctor will determine your illness by asking about symptoms and doing a physical exam. Sometimes, they will also swab your throat.

Since bacteria causes strep throat, antibiotics may be needed to treat the infection to prevent rheumatic fever and other complications. A health care provider cannot tell if someone has strep throat just by looking in the throat. If your doctor thinks you might have strep throat, they can test you to determine if it is causing your illness.

If a virus causes a sore throat, antibiotics will not help, and their side effects could cause harm. Side effects can range from mild reactions, to more serious health problems. Most sore throats will get better on their own within one week. Your doctor may prescribe other medicine or give tips to help you feel better.

At-Home Remedies for Sore Throat

  • Humidifier: Use a clean humidifier in the room to add moisture to the air and ease throat discomfort caused by dryness.
  • Hydration: Warm beverages and plenty of fluids
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers
  • Rest
  • Throat lozenges or sprays (do not give lozenges to children younger than 6 years old)
  • Use honey to relieve cough for adults and children at least 12 months of age or older.
  • Warm saltwater gargle: Warm salt water can help reduce throat inflammation and kill bacteria.

When to See a Doctor About a Sore Throat (1)

Is it an Emergency?

Children and adults typically share the same severe symptoms. If a sore throat doesn't go away after a few days of at-home treatment, go to urgent care.

Go to the emergency room if you or your child has severe signs and symptoms such as:

  • Blood in saliva or phlegm
  • Dehydration
  • Earache
  • Excessive drooling (in young children)
  • High fever (above 101°F or 38.3°C)
  • Joint swelling and pain
  • Rash or hives
  • Severe pain that persists despite treatment

This is not a complete list of all urgent symptoms. Please see your doctor for any severe or concerning symptoms. Tell your doctor if you or your child have recurrent sore throats.

Risk Factors

Anyone can get a sore throat. These factors could make you more susceptible.

  • Age: Children and teens are most likely to develop sore throats. Children ages 3 to 15 are also more likely to have strep throat, the most common bacterial infection associated with a sore throat.
  • Allergies: Seasonal allergies or ongoing allergic reactions to dust, molds, or pet dander make developing a sore throat more likely.
  • Chronic or frequent sinus infections: Drainage from your nose can irritate your throat or spread infection.
  • Close quarters: Viral and bacterial infections spread easily anywhere people gather, whether in childcare centers, classrooms, offices, or airplanes.
  • Exposure to chemical irritants: Particles in the air from burning fossil fuels and common household chemicals can cause throat irritation.
  • Exposure to tobacco smoke: Smoking and secondhand smoke can irritate the throat. The use of tobacco products also increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, and voice box.
  • Weakened immunity: You're generally more susceptible to infections if your resistance is low. Common causes of lowered immunity include HIV, diabetes, treatment with steroids or chemotherapy drugs, stress, fatigue, and poor diet.

Prevention

You can help prevent sore throats by doing your best to stay healthy and keep others healthy, including:

  • Avoid close contact with people with sore throats, colds, or other upper respiratory infections.
  • Don’t smoke, and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
  • Wash your hands regularly.

Get the Care You Need at UF Health Emergency & Urgent Care

When to See a Doctor About a Sore Throat (2)

At , our primary goal is to provide the residents of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia with exceptional service and the proper billing for the care they need. Our combined emergency room and urgent care is fully equipped to handle everything from allergies to fractures to chest pain, with on-site labs, CT, ultrasound and X-ray, all under one roof. The ER and urgent care centers are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No appointment is necessary — just walk in!

Find the UF Health Emergency & Urgent Care Center in Jacksonville nearest you at https://euc.ufhealthjax.org/locations.

When to See a Doctor About a Sore Throat (2024)

FAQs

When to See a Doctor About a 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.

At what point should I go to the doctor for a sore throat? ›

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 do I know if my sore throat is serious? ›

But you should contact a healthcare provider if your sore throat lasts longer than a week, gets worse or you develop symptoms like a fever or swollen lymph nodes.

What are the red flags for a sore throat? ›

Chronic sore throat

Red flags to be aware of: dysphagia, odynophagia, referred unilateral ear pain, bleeding, neck mass, weight loss or difficulty opening the mouth.

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

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.

How long is too long for a sore throat? ›

If you have a persistent sore throat (one that lasts 3 to 4 weeks), you should see your GP who may refer you for further tests. This is because your sore throat may be a symptom of a more serious condition.

Should I call my doctor if I have a sore throat? ›

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get advice from 111 now if: you're worried about your sore throat. you have a sore throat and a very high temperature, or you feel hot and shivery. you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of diabetes or chemotherapy.

How long does a sore throat last without antibiotics? ›

Inappropriate use of antibiotics for viral illness can unnecessarily increase the risk of side effects like diarrhea, rash, or more serious allergic reactions. Sore throat caused by viral infections usually lasts four to five days.

Why do I have a sore throat but not sick? ›

Dry indoor air can make your throat feel rough and scratchy. Breathing through your mouth — often because of chronic nasal congestion — also can cause a dry, sore throat. Irritants. Outdoor air pollution and indoor pollution such as tobacco smoke or chemicals can cause a chronic sore throat.

How do I fix my throat when it hurts to swallow? ›

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. Don't give honey to children younger than age 1. Gargle with saltwater.

What are the red flags of strep pharyngitis? ›

Red and swollen tonsils. 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.

What are the complications of a sore throat? ›

If your sore throat continues, you may also have trouble getting adequate nutrition due to pain and difficulty in swallowing. If strep throat is not treated, this can lead to rheumatic fever, kidney damage, heart disease, or abscesses of the tonsils.

How do you assess a sore throat? ›

The pharynx should be examined for erythema, hypertrophy, foreign body, exudates, masses, petechiae, and adenopathy. It also is important to assess the patient for fever, rash, cervical adenopathy, and coryza.

When to go to the doctor for a 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 do you know if you have a sore throat or strep throat? ›

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.

Is it normal for a sore throat to get worse after 4 days? ›

When to go to the doctor for a sore throat. Remember, most sore throats are mild and get better on their own in 3-4 days. If you have had a sore throat that is getting worse or not getting better after 4-5 days, it's time to see your doctor for further evaluation.

What does strep throat look like? ›

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.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Corie Satterfield

Last Updated:

Views: 6319

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Corie Satterfield

Birthday: 1992-08-19

Address: 850 Benjamin Bridge, Dickinsonchester, CO 68572-0542

Phone: +26813599986666

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Table tennis, Soapmaking, Flower arranging, amateur radio, Rock climbing, scrapbook, Horseback riding

Introduction: My name is Corie Satterfield, I am a fancy, perfect, spotless, quaint, fantastic, funny, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.