Sore throat

Sore throat symptoms vary depending on the cause, but most often include:

• A scratchy throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hoarseness
• Swollen glands
• Swollen, red tonsils
• Throat pain
• White patches or pus on the tonsils

If you have any of these symptoms, our providers will likely conduct a test to determine if you have strep throat.

When a sore throat is caused specifically by an infection, typically additional symptoms beyond those caused by allergies or acid reflux are exhibited. These symptoms can include:

• Body aches
• Cough
• Fever
• Headache
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Runny nose
• Sneezing

Children should visit our clinics for a sore throat that doesn’t go away with the first drink in the morning. Seek immediate care if your child experiences:

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Drooling (possibly indicating an inability to swallow)

Adults should seek treatment for a sore throat with any of the following:

• A fever higher than 101ºF
• Blood in the saliva or phlegm
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty opening the mouth
• Difficulty swallowing
• Earache
• Face or neck swelling, or a lump in the neck
• Frequent recurrence
• Hoarseness lasting more than two weeks
• Joint pain
• Rash
• Severe soreness, or soreness lasting longer than one week

Regardless of symptoms, if you or your child has difficulty breathing or swallowing, call 911 for immediate medical attention.

Sore throat treatment is based on the cause of the infection. A viral infection is responsible for most sore throats. Others are caused by group A strep, tonsillitis, croup, laryngitis or even cancer. Our clinic providers will prescribe sore throat treatment or recommend an appropriate specialist once the cause of your symptoms has been diagnosed.

Treatment for pain when swallowing

Treatment for throat discomfort generally depends on the cause. We may identify what's causing your pain by listening to your symptoms and examining you. Based on this diagnosis, a recommendation may be made for an antifungal medication to treat a yeast infection, an antibiotic to treat a bacterial infection or some other treatment.

If you experience recurring tonsillitis, or tonsillitis that doesn't respond to medication, you may require a tonsillectomy. Our team can recommend an appropriate specialist if needed.

The following may help for short-term pain relief:

• Avoiding alcohol and tobacco use
• Gargling with salt water to reduce inflammation
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) for swelling and inflammation
• Over-the-counter antacids for acid reflux
• Sipping warm drinks, such as herbal tea
• Throat sprays to numb your throat

Streptococcal (strep) throat care

Strep throat is most common in children. While a virus causes most sore throats, strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection known as group A strep.

Strep throat symptoms generally include:

• A sore throat that comes on quickly
• Fever
• Pain when swallowing
• Red, swollen tonsils, possibly with white patches or streaks of pus
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth

Additional strep throat symptoms may include headache, nausea, vomiting or stomach pain, especially in children. A rash known as scarlet fever, although less common, is another strep throat symptom.

Incubation period for strep throat

Strep infection is highly contagious and spreads through direct or respiratory droplet contact with someone previously infected. The incubation period for both a viral infection and strep infection is typically two to five days.

Those who share close quarters — such as a home, classroom, day care or college dorm — have a higher risk of catching a strep infection. In household environments, the risk is approximately 40 percent.

If you've been exposed to someone with the infection and develop strep throat symptoms, see one of our providers promptly. The sooner you begin treatment, the more quickly you'll recover. You'll also be less likely to pass the infection along to others, such as family members.

Strep test and treatment

If your sore throat is caused by strep, you will need a course of antibiotics to kill the infection. Our providers will perform a rapid strep test, which involves swabbing your throat.

If the test confirms a strep infection, you will be prescribed antibiotics to help you recover more quickly. If the test result is negative, a second test, using DNA or a lab culture, may be conducted just to make sure.

A second test is especially important for children and teenagers since they sometimes develop rheumatic fever from strep throat. For adults, this step is rarely necessary, since the risk for rheumatic fever is lower.

The content provided on the MD Now® website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for receiving medical care and treatment from a qualified healthcare provider. Never delay seeking advice, evaluation and treatment from a medical professional because of what you've read on this site.