Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Sore Throat GuideSymptoms of Sore Throat

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

Next in Sore Throat Guide

Viral infections such as colds or flu are themost common causes, but there can be others, such asacid reflux, allergies, and overuse of the vocal cords.Most often, viral sore throats need only soothing until they pass, but other causes, such asstrep throat, require treatment to prevent related complications.

Verywell / Emily Roberts

Signs You Should See a Doctor About Your Sore Throat

Sore Throat Symptoms

Most people with sore throats have other symptoms as well. Depending on the cause, you may experiencesymptomsfrom pain and scratchiness to swelling and difficulty swallowing. The pain and discomfort may occur only when you swallow or it may be continuous.

The other symptoms that accompany a sore throat can help you decide whether or not to call your healthcare provider. They can also help a healthcare provider get to the root of the problem.

Even with no other symptoms, if your throat is so sore that you can’t swallow or sleep, seek medical attention.

When To See a Healthcare ProviderFever greater than 101 degreesDifficulty breathing, swallowing or opening your mouthLump in your neckHoarseness lasting more than two weeksBlood in mouth or sputumRashThroat so sore you can’t swallow or sleep

When To See a Healthcare Provider

Fever greater than 101 degreesDifficulty breathing, swallowing or opening your mouthLump in your neckHoarseness lasting more than two weeksBlood in mouth or sputumRashThroat so sore you can’t swallow or sleep

Symptoms of Sore Throat

Causes of Sore Throat

The most commoncauses of a sore throatare viral infections including thecommon cold, group AStreptococcusbacteria (strep throat), andmononucleosis. In young children, Coxsackie virus andherpanginaare two other viral causes.

Will Strep Throat Go Away on Its Own?

Strep throatusually doesn’t have other respiratory symptoms such as nasal drainage, cough, or congestion, but it does cause fever. You cansee yourhealthcare provider for a rapid strep test or a throat culture if this is suspected.

You may also experience a sore throat with allergies,post-nasal drip, overuse of thevocal cords, andsmoking.Acid refluxcan cause a sore throat when stomach acid enters the esophagus and irritates the tissues.

Environmental irritants such as smoke, air pollution, and industrial fumes can also irritate your throat.Dry air itself can cause a dry and scratchy throat.

Can You Buy At-Home Strep Tests?

If what’s causing the sore throat itself can be addressed, that will be the primary focus ofsore throat treatment.

For instance, when abacterial infectionsuch as strep throat is identified, antibiotics such as penicillin and amoxicillin are used to rid your body of the infection, in turn resolving your sore throat.

If a bacterial infection or other treatable health issue is not to blame, treating sore throat for comfort is all that can be done. That’s the case with many causes, including the common cold and other viral infections.

You can use home remedies (such as drinking some sage tea) and over-the-counterpain medications, such as Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen), to ease sorethroat pain. Unfortunately, though, waiting it out is usually what’s most effective.

Tips for Soothing a Sore Throat

There are not many high-quality studies that have supported the use ofalternative therapies. Sage, slippery elm, and licorice root may be found in some herbal teas and lozenges and are believed, though not proven, to have soothing effects. Always discuss herbal medications and supplements with your healthcare provider, as some may interact with other medications.

If your sore throat worsens or continues to progress after five to seven days, see a healthcare provider for further evaluation.

What’s causing your sore throat may not be what you originally thought.

How a Sore Throat Is Treated

A Word From Verywell

While painful, sore throats will usually go away on their own. Stay alert for signs of fever so you can call your healthcare provider when it is appropriate. With some soothing measures the pain will pass and you’ll be able to breathe (and swallow) easier.

Symptoms of a Sore Throat

It’s possible to have a sore throat and not be sick. Sore throat can happen if the air is especially dry or if environmental pollutants like smoke or industrial fumes irritate your throat. Allergies can cause you to have a sore throat as well.

3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Parmet S, Lynm C, Glass RM. JAMA patient page.Sore throat. JAMA. 2004;291(13):1664. doi:10.1001/jama.291.13.1664Stead W, Aronson M, Bond S.Patient education: Sore throat in adults (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate. Jun 3, 2019.Renner B, Mueller CA, Shephard A.Environmental and non-infectious factors in the aetiology of pharyngitis (sore throat). Inflamm Res. 2012;61(10):1041-52. doi:10.1007/s00011-012-0540-9Additional ReadingSore Throats. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/content/sore-throats.Pelucchi C, Grigoryan L, Galeone C, et al.Guideline for the Management of Acute Sore Throat.Clinical Microbiology and Infection. 2012;18:1-27. doi:10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03766.x.Stead W.Patient Education: Sore Throat in Adults (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/sore-throat-in-adults-beyond-the-basics#H5.

3 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Parmet S, Lynm C, Glass RM. JAMA patient page.Sore throat. JAMA. 2004;291(13):1664. doi:10.1001/jama.291.13.1664Stead W, Aronson M, Bond S.Patient education: Sore throat in adults (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate. Jun 3, 2019.Renner B, Mueller CA, Shephard A.Environmental and non-infectious factors in the aetiology of pharyngitis (sore throat). Inflamm Res. 2012;61(10):1041-52. doi:10.1007/s00011-012-0540-9Additional ReadingSore Throats. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/content/sore-throats.Pelucchi C, Grigoryan L, Galeone C, et al.Guideline for the Management of Acute Sore Throat.Clinical Microbiology and Infection. 2012;18:1-27. doi:10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03766.x.Stead W.Patient Education: Sore Throat in Adults (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/sore-throat-in-adults-beyond-the-basics#H5.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Parmet S, Lynm C, Glass RM. JAMA patient page.Sore throat. JAMA. 2004;291(13):1664. doi:10.1001/jama.291.13.1664Stead W, Aronson M, Bond S.Patient education: Sore throat in adults (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate. Jun 3, 2019.Renner B, Mueller CA, Shephard A.Environmental and non-infectious factors in the aetiology of pharyngitis (sore throat). Inflamm Res. 2012;61(10):1041-52. doi:10.1007/s00011-012-0540-9

Parmet S, Lynm C, Glass RM. JAMA patient page.Sore throat. JAMA. 2004;291(13):1664. doi:10.1001/jama.291.13.1664

Stead W, Aronson M, Bond S.Patient education: Sore throat in adults (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate. Jun 3, 2019.

Renner B, Mueller CA, Shephard A.Environmental and non-infectious factors in the aetiology of pharyngitis (sore throat). Inflamm Res. 2012;61(10):1041-52. doi:10.1007/s00011-012-0540-9

Sore Throats. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/content/sore-throats.Pelucchi C, Grigoryan L, Galeone C, et al.Guideline for the Management of Acute Sore Throat.Clinical Microbiology and Infection. 2012;18:1-27. doi:10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03766.x.Stead W.Patient Education: Sore Throat in Adults (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/sore-throat-in-adults-beyond-the-basics#H5.

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