When should you see a doctor about a sore throat?
We describe that at the end of this article. Here is some background first.
Sore throats are very common and usually nothing to worry about. They normally get better by themselves within a week. And you do not usually need to see a doctor.
What are the causes of a sore throat?
They are usually due to a virus, and a sore throat is often a symptom of:
- Colds or flu – you may also have a blocked or runny nose, a cough, a high temperature (fever), a headache and general aches
- Laryngitis (inflammation of the voice box) – you may also have a hoarse voice, a dry cough and a constant need to clear your throat
- Tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils) – you may also have red or spotty tonsils, discomfort when swallowing and a fever
- Glandular fever – you may also feel very tired and have a fever and swollen glands in your neck
- COVID-19
- Strep throat – which is due to a bacterium (called ‘Strep A’) and not a virus. You may also have swollen glands in your neck, discomfort when swallowing and tonsillitis. Some people with strep throat need antibiotics.
A sore throat will often look like this
It may hurt more when you swallow or talk. Your throat or tonsils might also look red like in this picture.
Sometimes, white patches or areas of pus will form on the tonsils. These white patches are more common in strep throat than in a sore throat caused by a virus; but that is not a reliable way of distinguishing them. This is what that may look like.
Tell more about the spread and treatment of sore throat.
Does sore throat spread?
It depends on the cause. Yes, if it is due to glandular fever, COVID-19 or Strep throat. So avoid contact with someone with those causes.
What is the treatment for sore throat?
You can treat a sore throat yourself. To help soothe a sore throat and shorten how long it lasts, you can:
- Gargle with warm, salty water (children should not try this)
- Drink plenty of water
- Eat soft foods
- Suck ice cubes, ice lollies, throat lozenges (see below) or hard sweets – but do not give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking
- Rest
If you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.
Antibiotics are not needed for most sore throats, even if it’s caused by a bacterial infection; as they’re unlikely to make you feel better any quicker and they can have unpleasant side effects.
If you need any help, go to a pharmacist
You can ask a pharmacist about ways of relieving the pain and discomfort of a sore throat, such as:
- Paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin
- Medicated lozenges containing a local anaesthetic, antiseptic, or anti-inflammatory medicine.
You can buy these treatments from a supermarket or from a pharmacist without a prescription.
When to see a doctor (e.g. GP or Urgent Treatment Centre, UTC)
If you have a persistent sore throat (one that lasts three to four weeks), you should see a doctor who may refer you for further tests. This is because your sore throat may be a symptom of a more serious condition.
When to go to A&E or call 999
Most sore throats are minor illnesses and get better with no treatment. But rarely they can be a serious problem
Visit your A&E or call 999 for an ambulance if you have severe symptoms such as:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Severe pain
- Drooling or a muffled voice
- A high-pitched sound as you breathe in (stridor).
Summary
We have described when should you see a doctor about a sore throat. We hope it has helped you.
Other resources
MyHSN has related articles.
Strep A – causes
Strep A – treatment
