What is a sore throat?
A sore throat is a common discomfort characterized by pain, dryness, or itching in the throat. It's typically caused by infections or environmental factors like dry air. Each year, it leads to over 13 million medical office visits. There are different types of sore throats depending on which part of the throat is affected:
- Pharyngitis affects the area behind the mouth
- Tonsillitis involves swelling and redness of the tonsils
- Laryngitis causes inflammation in the voice box or larynx
What are the causes of sore throat?
The viruses that cause cold and the flu also cause sore throats. Less frequently, bacterial infections can cause sore throats.
Viral infections
Viral conditions that cause a sore throat include:
- Cold
- Flu
- Mononucleosis
- Measles
- Chickenpox
- COVID-19
- Croup — a common childhood illness characterized by a severe, barking cough
Bacterial infections
Several bacterial infections can cause a sore throat. Strep throat is caused by the most common bacterial infection group A streptococcus.
Diagnosis for Sore Throat
To diagnose a sore throat, the doctor will gather your medical history and conduct a physical exam. You doctor may perform:
- A quick strep test for suspected strep throat, providing immediate results.
- Consider a throat culture for confirmation, with results usually within 24-48 hours.
- Order blood tests, CT scans, or x-rays to evaluate other possible causes.
- Refer to a specialist if necessary based on symptoms and initial diagnosis.
What is the Treatment for Sore Throat?
A viral sore throat usually lasts 5-7 days and often gets better without medical treatment. To alleviate pain and fever, consider using acetaminophen or other mild pain relievers.
- When treating children, opt for over-the-counter pain relievers designed for infants or kids, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- Never administer aspirin to children or adolescents due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal condition characterized by liver and brain inflammation.
Foods to Take and Avoid with Sore Throat
| Foods and Drinks to Have |
Foods and Drinks to Avoid |
| Warm, cooked pasta (e.g., macaroni and cheese) |
Crackers |
| Warm oatmeal, cooked cereal, or grits |
Crusty bread |
| Gelatin desserts |
Spicy seasonings and sauces |
| Plain yogurts or yogurts with pureed fruits |
Sodas |
| Cooked vegetables |
Coffee |
| Fruit or vegetable smoothies |
Alcohol |
| Mashed potatoes |
Dry snack foods (e.g., potato chips, pretzels, popcorn) |
| Broth and cream-based soups |
Fresh, raw vegetables |
| Milk |
Acidic fruits (e.g., oranges, lemons, limes, tomatoes, grapefruits) |
When to see a Doctor?
A sore throat caused by a viral infection usually improves on its own within two to seven days. Still, some causes of sore throat need to be treated. Call your physician if you have any of these potentially more serious symptoms:
- Sore throat that lasts for over a week
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing or pain when you breathe
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Joint pain
- Fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit
- Sore or stiff neck
- Earache
- Blood in your saliva or phlegm
Home Remedies
You can treat most sore throats at home. Get enough rest to give your immune system a chance to fight infection. To get relief from sore throat:
- Gargle with saltwater.
- Drink soothing hot liquids like tea with honey or herbal teas.
- Enjoy a cold treat like a popsicle.
- Use lozenges or hard candy.
- Increase humidity with a cool mist humidifier.
- Rest your voice.
