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OVERVIEW

What is a sore throat?

A sore throat means that your throat hurts., It feels irritated or scratchy. You may feel mild discomfort or a burning pain. It may be worse when you swallow.  Possible complications from a sore throat include ear and sinus infections. Another complication is an abscess (buildup of pus) near your tonsils. There are various ways to soothe a sore throat depending on its cause.

SYMPTOMS

Depending on the cause of your sore throat, symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Headache
• White spots in your throat or on your tonsils
• Red and swollen tonsils
• Swollen glands in your neck
• Skin rash

In some cases, additional symptoms may include:

• Abdominal pain (usually in children)
• Vomiting (usually in children)
• Joint or muscle pain

CAUSES & RISK FACTORS

What causes a sore throat?

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. General anesthesia during surgery can also cause a sore throat.

DIAGNOSIS & TESTS

How is a sore throat diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider may do a physical exam. They will look at the back of your throat. Your healthcare provider may swab the back of your throat. This is called a throat culture. It is done to collect a sample of bacteria. This also is used in a rapid strep test. This is a quick test to diagnose strep throat. The test won’t tell if your sore throat is caused by something other than strep. The results of a throat culture take between 24 and 48 hours.  If your healthcare provider thinks you may have mono, they will probably do a blood test.

PREVENTION

Can a sore throat be prevented or avoided?

The best way to avoid a sore throat is to avoid getting sick. Avoid catching or spreading the viruses and bacteria that can lead to a sore throat. Wash your hands regularly. Avoid touching your eyes or mouth.  Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.

TREATMENT

Antibiotics don’t work on viruses. Most sore throats caused by a cold or flu-type virus go away in a week to 10 days.

If your sore throat is caused by bacteria, your healthcare provider will prescribe an antibiotic. You will feel better in a few days. It is important to take all your antibiotics. This reduces the risk that your sore throat will return.

Symptoms caused by mono can last for 4 weeks or more. The treatment for mono is rest and reduced exercise.

If a sore throat is caused by allergies, your healthcare provider may talk to you about allergy triggers. They may recommend medicine for the allergy.

If your sore throat is caused by tonsillitis, you may need an operation. This is called a tonsillectomy. The surgery removes your tonsils. Most people who have tonsillitis don’t need surgery; however you might need surgery if you get severe tonsillitis often. You may need surgery if your tonsils are too big.

Living with a sore throat

Easing the pain of a sore throat is all you can do beyond treatment. There are a few ways to soothe a sore throat:

• Take over-the-counter pain medicine. This includes brand names such as Tylenol, Motrin, and Aleve. Children should not take aspirin. Aspirin can cause a serious illness called Reye’s syndrome when it is given to children younger than 18 years of age.
• Gargle with warm salt water (1 teaspoon [4.9 ml/cc] of salt per 1 cup [8 ounces] of water).
• Suck on throat lozenges or hard candy.
• Suck on flavored frozen desserts (such as Popsicles).
• Use a humidifier in your bedroom or other rooms you spend lots of time in.
• Drink lots of liquids. They help keep your throat lubricated and prevent dehydration.