OverviewWhat is a sore throat?A sore throat is a scratchy painful feeling in the back of your throat. If you have a sore throat, it may hurt to swallow or to talk. Many things cause sore throats, from bacterial and viral infections to allergies and sleeping with your mouth open. Most sore throat symptoms go away in a few days. 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. Show
What does a sore throat feel like?A sore throat may start with a raspy feeling in your throat, as if your throat is dry. If your sore throat gets worse, you may feel a sharp pain in your throat when you swallow or talk. You may feel pain in your ears or down the side of your neck. Is a sore throat a serious issue?It can be. For example, a sore throat that lasts more than two weeks may be a symptom of throat cancer. A sore throat is one symptom of COVID-19. Most of the time, however, a sore throat is a symptom of less serious conditions. A sore throat is a common issue with many different causes. You can develop a sore throat if you have a bacterial infection, allergies, tonsillitis or acid reflux. You can also develop a sore throat after a lot of shouting or screaming or you breathe through your mouth instead of your nose. What are sore throat symptoms?Apart from throat pain, sore throat symptoms may include:
What causes sore throats?Most sore throats happen because you have a viral infection, like the common cold or flu. Sore throats may be a symptom of the following conditions or issues:
Diagnosis and TestsHow do healthcare providers diagnose sore throat?Healthcare providers diagnose sore throats by examining your throat, tongue and possibly your ears. They may do a strep test to rule out strep throat. Management and TreatmentHow do healthcare providers treat sore throat?Treatment depends on what caused your sore throat. For example, if your throat is sore because you have a cold, a healthcare provider may recommend over-the-counter medication to ease your cold symptoms and for your sore throat. If you have strep throat, a healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection. Other treatments for specific causes may include:
What can I do for my sore throat?Sucking on throat lozenges or hard candies may ease sore throat symptoms. Other suggestions include:
What can I do to make a sore throat go away quickly?First, find out why you have a sore throat. If a healthcare provider finds a cold or flu is the culprit, ask for recommendations for getting better as quickly as possible. PreventionHow do I prevent developing a sore throat?Viral infections like colds and flu often cause sore throats. You can reduce your sore throat by protecting yourself against colds and flu. Some ways to do that include:
Outlook / PrognosisWhat can I expect if I have a sore throat?Most of the time, a sore throat isn’t a serious medical issue. Most sore throats go away within a few days. 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:
Living WithHow do I take care of myself?Most sore throats happen because you have a viral or bacterial infection. Taking care of the infection will help your sore throat. You can ease sore throat symptoms by:
A note from Cleveland Clinic Maybe your sore throat started with tickle in the back of your throat. Now that tickle is a pain — literally — and it hurts a lot when you swallow or talk. Most sore throats happen because you have a viral infection that will run its course in a week or so. But you may need antibiotics if your sore throat stems from a bacterial infection. Fortunately, there are many home remedies to ease sore throat pain. There are instances, however, when a sore throat may be a symptom of serious medical issue. If you have a sore throat that lasts for more than two weeks, talk to a healthcare provider. |