If someone keeps getting a sore throat after taking the right antibiotics, they may be a strep carrier and have a viral throat infection.
Chronic pharyngitis has many potential underlying causes, and if a sore throat does not clear up even after a course of antibiotics, it is best to seek further medical advice. Chronic pharyngitis may be caused by factors such as: Smoke or environmental pollutants. Infection.
While viral infections are the most common cause, severe or persistent pain may be indicative of a more serious problem. If your throat pain lasts longer than 3 weeks or if you are concerned, visit your local doctor.”
If your sore throat persists for more than a week, you should contact a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. There may be an underlying condition that requires medication.
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.
Call Your Doctor If:
Trouble breathing or drooling occurs. Dehydration suspected. Fever lasts more than 2 days after starting antibiotics. Sore throat lasts more than 3 days after starting antibiotics.
So why does recurring strep throat happen? Antibiotic Resistance – Some forms of strep throat are resistant to the antibiotic that has been prescribed. Penicillin and cephalexin are the go-to strep throat antibiotics in the case of strep. If these don't knock the bacteria out, your doctor will go a different route.
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.
If a virus causes a sore throat, antibiotics will not help. Most sore throats will get better on their own within one week. Your doctor may prescribe other medicine or give you tips to help you feel better. When antibiotics aren't needed, they won't help you, and their side effects could still cause harm.
Outdoor air pollution and indoor pollution such as tobacco smoke or chemicals can cause a chronic sore throat. Chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and eating spicy foods also can irritate your throat. Muscle strain. You can strain muscles in your throat by yelling, talking loudly or talking for long periods without rest.
You should contact a healthcare provider if your sore throat lasts longer than a week, gets worse or you develop symptoms like fever or swollen lymph nodes.
See a GP if:
your sore throat does not improve after a week. you often get sore throats.
The bacteria that cause strep throat can spread to other parts of your body if antibiotics don't kill them. This can cause infections in places near your throat, including your: Middle ear. Sinuses.
If symptoms do not begin to improve or if they worsen by three days of antibiotic treatment, you should see your doctor or nurse again. Return to work/school — If you have been diagnosed with strep throat, stay home from work or school until you have completed 24 hours of antibiotics.
Call your doctor if your symptoms don't start to improve within three days. If you get a rash or have trouble breathing after taking antibiotics, call your doctor right away. Sometimes a different antibiotic is needed, or you may have an infection other than strep throat that needs a different type of treatment.
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.
If someone keeps getting a sore throat after taking the right antibiotics, they may be a strep carrier and have a viral throat infection. Talk to a doctor if you think you or your child may be a strep carrier.
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.
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.
Most sore throats are caused by colds, the flu, coxsackie virus or mono (mononucleosis). Bacteria that can cause pharyngitis in some cases: Strep throat is caused by group A streptococcus. Less commonly, bacterial diseases such as gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause sore throat.
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.