Overview
When somebody gets a sore throat, in most instances, this is an indication of an infection, which can be viral and even bacterial. In most cases, there is no actual cause why a person gets a sore throat. If you have a sore throat you may notice your tonsils are swollen, inflamed glands near the neck, and there might be some discomfort when trying to swallow. For those who have a sore throat because of an infection, the following signs may be present:
- High fever
When somebody gets a sore throat, in most instances, this is an indication of an infection, which can be viral and even bacterial. - Coughing
- Headache
- Nose keeps running
- Feeling fatigued and muscles might be aching
Treatment for a Sore Throat
A sore throat is very common and in most instances it’s because a person doesn’t have immunity against bacteria and viruses that attack the body. This is particularly true for kids and teens. The great thing is that a sore throat will usually get better on its own without the need for medication.
Painkillers and other types of over the counter meds can be taken to help ease the pain, and there are also various home remedies that you can use. Most of the times, a GP is not going to give you antibiotics, except if the infection doesn’t get better and your throat becomes worse.
How Long Does it Last?
One question that a lot of people tend to ask is how long a sore throat actually lasts for. A UK study found people phoned their GP to report symptoms of a sore throat, about 7 days after getting a sore throat. In about 80% of cases, a person will be rid of their sore throat in 10 days.
Phoning Your GP
Even though sore throats are not a big concern, there are cases when you need to call your GP:
- If you have a high fever that stays even after taking meds to help relieve it.
- If your symptoms haven’t subsided within 7 days.
A GP will find out the reason why you have a fever, since this can be an indication of something more severe. These severe conditions may include:
- Quinsy – This is when an abscess forms on the tonsils and on the wall of the throat.
- Epiglottitis – The epiglottis becomes inflamed and there is welling at the back of the throat and beneath the tongue. This can result in breathing issues if left untreated.
A blood test might need to be done in order to diagnose what kind of infection might be causing the sore throat.
Emergency Care
In some cases, emergency care might be required. This includes:
- Breathing problems
- When you breathe you notice a high pitched sound
- You start drooling
- Your voice appears to be stifled
- You experience a lot of pain
- You have problems swallowing