Seek ER treatment if the cough or sore throat is accompanied by: Difficulty breathing. Shortness of breath. High fever.
If your immune system is compromised and you are coughing or have a sore throat, seek emergency care immediately.
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. Otherwise, your sore throat can be treated at any FastMed.
You should contact a healthcare provider if your sore throat lasts longer than a few days or if you have a sore throat and the following issues: Severe throat pain. Trouble breathing or swallowing. A fever, especially if it's over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
In most cases, a sore throat is due to a common viruses and will resolve itself within about 3 to 10 days. If the sore throat is from a bacterial infection or allergies, it may last longer.
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.
Usually, sore throats go away without treatment within 3 to 4 days. Seek medical attention if: you have trouble breathing or swallowing (or if your baby is drooling) you have a stiff or swollen neck.
Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus. Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate) Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck. Fever.
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.
Warm liquids — broth, caffeine-free tea or warm water with honey — and cold treats such as ice pops can soothe a sore throat.
Severe pain: Tonsillitis can be painful, but if the pain is severe and not relieved by over-the-counter pain medication, it may require emergency medical attention. High fever: A high fever (over 103 degrees Fahrenheit) can be a sign of a bacterial infection, which can lead to complications such as sepsis.
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.
Serious complications are not common
Complications can occur after a strep throat infection. This can happen if the bacteria spread to other parts of the body. Complications can include: Abscesses (pockets of pus) around the tonsils or in the neck.
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.
Contact your health care provider if you have painful swallowing and: Blood in your stools or your stools appear black or tarry. Shortness of breath or lightheadedness. Weight loss.
If you have a sore throat that lasts for more than five to seven days, you should see your doctor. While increasing your liquid intake, gargling with warm salt water, or taking over-the-counter pain relievers may help, if appropriate, your doctor may write you a prescription for an antibiotic.
Chronic pharyngitis is a persistent sore throat that lingers for a few weeks or returns frequently. Chronic pharyngitis may be caused by infection, environmental pollutants, allergies or acid reflux.
According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, you should see your doctor if you have a sore throat and any of the following associated conditions: A sore throat that is severe or lasts longer than a week. Difficulty swallowing. Difficulty breathing.
When to seek medical attention for a sore throat: If the pain is severe or lasts more than a few days. If the sore throat is accompanied by swollen glands that cause difficulty breathing or prevent the person from swallowing fluids.
Tonsillar enlargement occupying more than 75% of the oropharyngeal inlet could rapidly progress to severe airway compromise, even though the patient may appear misleadingly calm when seen initially. Subtle points in the history and examination may alert us to the likelihood of developing airway obstruction.
In quinsy, the abscess (a collection of pus) forms between one of your tonsils and the wall of your throat. This can happen when a bacterial infection spreads from an infected tonsil to the surrounding area. Quinsy can occur at any age, but most commonly affects teenagers and young adults.