A humidifier can moisturize a dry throat. Sore throats that are caused by a viral infection usually get better on their own in two to seven days 6. Yet some causes of a sore throat need to be treated. Most sore throats get better on their own, within a few days. Bacterial infections like strep throat need to be treated with antibiotics. See a doctor for severe symptoms like trouble swallowing or breathing, a stiff neck, or a high fever.
During the exam, the doctor will ask about your symptoms, and will use a light to check the back of your throat for redness, swelling, and white spots.
The doctor might also feel the sides of your neck to see if you have swollen glands. The doctor will run a swab over the back of your throat and collect a sample to test for strep throat bacteria.
With a rapid strep test, the doctor will get the results within minutes. To confirm the diagnosis, the sample will be sent out to a lab to be tested. A lab test takes one to two days, but it can definitively show that you have strep throat. Sometimes you might need more tests to figure out the cause of your sore throat. You can see a specialist who treats diseases of the throat, called an ear, nose, and throat ENT doctor or otolaryngologist. Doctors diagnose strep throat based on symptoms, an exam of the throat, and a strep test.
For a sore throat without an obvious diagnosis, you might need to see a specialist who treats conditions of the ears, nose, and throat. Over-the-counter medications that relieve throat pain include:. You can also use one or more of these treatments, which work directly on the pain of a sore throat:. Shop for throat lozenges. Shop for cough syrup. Some herbs, including slippery elm , marshmallow root , and licorice root , are sold as sore throat remedies. Shop for Throat Coat herbal tea.
Shop for antacids. Low-dose corticosteroids can also help with the pain of a sore throat, without causing any serious side effects 8. Over-the-counter pain relievers, sprays, and lozenges can relieve the pain of a sore throat. Medicines that reduce stomach acid can help with sore throats caused by GERD. Rarely, an infected area of tissue abscess in the throat or swelling of the small cartilage "lid" that covers the windpipe epiglottitis can cause a sore throat.
Both can block the airway, creating a medical emergency. The best way to prevent sore throats is to avoid the germs that cause them and practice good hygiene. Follow these tips and teach your child to do the same:.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview A sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow.
Throat anatomy Open pop-up dialog box Close. Throat anatomy The throat includes the esophagus, windpipe trachea , voice box larynx , tonsils and epiglottis. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.
Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Sore throats. Accessed Feb. They'll only be prescribed if a GP thinks you could have a bacterial infection. A severe or long-lasting sore throat could be something like strep throat a bacterial throat infection. The symptoms are similar for children, but children can also get a temperature and appear less active. Sore throats are usually caused by viruses like cold or flu or from smoking.
Very occasionally they can be caused by bacteria. Page last reviewed: 05 February Next review due: 05 February It is most common among school-aged children and teenagers between 5 and The common cold or upper respiratory tract infection is a highly prevalent viral infection that can be caused by over types of viruses including some strains of the coronavirus family.
It affects the nose, ears and throat. This is largely due to current evidence often being low-quality or unreliable. Culture-independent diagnostic techniques are increasingly used in clinical laboratories. They have improved turnaround times and are generally more Read more on Australian Prescriber website. Chronic fatigue syndrome CFS , also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis ME , is a complex, chronic neurological condition affecting the brain, muscles, digestive system, immune system, cardiac system and other areas of the body.
The tonsils, which form part of the immune system, consist of two pads of lymphatic tissue at the back of the throat. They help to prevent infection by trapping pathogens that enter the nose and mouth and producing antibodies to kill them. The tonsils are prone to infection and inflammation. Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses, influenced by a range of factors.
An eating disorder is an illness marked by irregular eating habits, distress about eating, and an obsession about body weight. Eating disorders are very serious, have severe health complications and can even be fatal.
Human immunodeficiency virus HIV is a virus that affects the immune system. Healthdirect Australia is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.
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