Irritants and injuries A sore throat that lasts longer than a week is often caused by irritants or an injuries, such as: Throat irritation from low humidity, smoking, air pollution, yelling, or nasal drainage down the back of the throat postnasal drip.
Breathing through the mouth when you have allergies or a stuffy nose. Stomach acid that backs up into the throat, which may be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD. Although GERD often occurs with heartburn , an acid taste in the mouth, or a cough, sometimes a sore throat is the only symptom. An injury to the back of the throat, such as a cut or puncture from falling with a pointed object in the mouth.
Check Your Symptoms Do you have a sore throat? This also includes symptoms like hoarseness or a lump in the throat. How old are you? Less than 3 months. Are you male or female? Why do we ask this question? The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have. If you are transgender or nonbinary, choose the sex that matches the body parts such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.
If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice once as "male" and once as "female". This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you. Do you have an injury to your mouth or teeth? Do you think that a problem with your mouth such as a sore or an infection is causing the sore throat? Does your baby seem sick? A sick baby probably will not be acting normally. For example, the baby may be much fussier than usual or not want to eat.
How sick do you think your baby is? Extremely sick. Baby is sick sleepier than usual, not eating or drinking like usual. Is your baby having trouble breathing? Sometimes babies may have trouble breathing because of a stuffy nose.
If your baby's nose is stuffy, clearing the nose with a rubber bulb may help. Would you describe the breathing problem as severe, moderate, or mild? Do you think your baby may be dehydrated? Are the symptoms severe, moderate, or mild? Do you think your baby has a fever? Did you take a rectal temperature? Taking a rectal temperature is the only way to be sure that a baby this age does not have a fever. If you don't know the rectal temperature, it's safest to assume the baby has a fever and needs to be seen by a doctor.
Any problem that causes a fever at this age could be serious. Is it Is your child drooling and unable to swallow, cry, or make sounds? Is your child having trouble breathing more than a stuffy nose? The symptoms of difficulty breathing in an older child may be different than symptoms in a baby or young child.
Is your child's ability to breathe:. Getting worse? Staying about the same not better or worse? Getting better? Quickly getting worse within minutes or hours? Slowly getting worse over days? Does your child have a chronic health problem that affects his or her breathing, such as asthma? A breathing problem may be more of a concern if your child normally does not have breathing problems.
Is the problem your child is having right now different than what you are used to? Does your child make a harsh, high-pitched sound when he or she breathes in? This often occurs with a loud cough that sounds like a barking seal. Are you suddenly drooling and not able to swallow?
Are you having trouble breathing more than a stuffy nose? Would you describe the problem as severe, moderate, or mild? Is your ability to breathe:. Do you have a chronic health problem that affects your breathing, such as asthma, allergies, or COPD? A breathing problem may be more of a concern if you normally do not have breathing problems. Are the breathing problems you're having right now different than what you are used to?
Do you think you may be dehydrated? The symptoms in an adult or older child are different than the symptoms in a baby or toddler. Are you having trouble drinking enough to replace the fluids you've lost? Little sips of fluid usually are not enough. You need to be able to take in and keep down plenty of fluids.
Do you think your child has a fever? Did you take your child's temperature? How high is the fever? The answer may depend on how you took the temperature. Moderate: Mild: How high do you think the fever is? Mild or low. How long has your child had a fever? Less than 2 days 48 hours. From 2 days to less than 1 week. Does your child have a health problem or take medicine that weakens his or her immune system?
Does your child have shaking chills or very heavy sweating? Shaking chills are a severe, intense form of shivering. Heavy sweating means that sweat is pouring off the child or soaking through his or her clothes. Do you think you may have a fever? Did you take your temperature? How long have you had a fever? At least 2 days but less than 1 week. Do you have a health problem or take medicine that weakens your immune system?
Do you have shaking chills or very heavy sweating? Heavy sweating means that sweat is pouring off you or soaking through your clothes. Is there any pain? How bad is your throat pain, if 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain you can imagine?
Signs of pain in a baby or toddler are different than signs of pain in an older child or adult. Is the pain on only one side of your throat? Does your voice sound hoarse or muffled? How long have you had the sore throat or other throat problem? Less than 1 day 24 hours. Natural Medicines. Taking care of your voice.
Chow AW, et al. Evaluation of acute pharyngitis in adults. Kellerman RD, et al. In: Conn's Current Therapy Philadelphia, Pa. Common colds: Protect yourself and others. Streptococcal pharyngitis. Rochester, Minn. Kahrilas, PJ. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux in adults. Gonzalez MD, et al. New developments in rapid diagnostic testing for children.
Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. Symptoms may include: A raw feeling in the throat that makes breathing, swallowing and speaking painful Redness of the throat Fever Hoarseness Pus in your throat Tender, swollen glands in your neck Earache you may feel pain in your ears even though the problem is in your throat.
How is a sore throat diagnosed? How is a sore throat treated? How long will the effects of a sore throat last? What is the difference between a sore throat and strep throat? How does strep throat occur? What are the symptoms of strep throat?
Other symptoms of a strep infection may include: Chills Headaches Fatigue Swollen, tender lymph nodes glands in the neck Loss of appetite. How is strep throat diagnosed? How is strep throat treated? How long will the effects of strep throat last? How can I take care of myself?
Follow the full treatment prescribed by your health-care provider. For a sore throat: Make sure you have enough fluids. Drink clear soup, cold drinks, and other clear, nutritious liquids.
When you are able to eat more foods, choose healthy food to give you strength and to help fight the infection. Do not smoke. Do not breathe second-hand smoke. Gargle with salt water. You can make a saltwater solution by adding a half teaspoon of salt to eight ounces of warm water.
Suck on lozenges or hard candy. Rest your voice. If investigations reveal a tumor or another cause, the doctor will discuss appropriate treatment options with the individual. Honey is not safe for children aged under 1 year, due to the risk of botulism , a type of food poisoning.
A review of three studies published in concluded that dissolving tablets containing a high dose of zinc acetate in the mouth may relieve symptoms of a common cold in adults, including a sore throat.
However, more evidence is needed to show that it works and that it is safe in the long term. It can also have some adverse effects, including nausea and a bad taste in the mouth. Zinc nasal sprays are also available, but some people have experienced a permanent loss of smell after using them. Children should not use these products. Some of these may be useful because of their possible anti-inflammatory properties.
However, there is a lack of evidence to prove that many these treatments are effective or safe. Some, such as vitamin C, will have no additional effect once a person has a cold.
However, a study published in concluded that extracts of clove, ginger, danshen, and Echinacea flower may reduce the inflammation that can occur with strep throat.
Click here to learn about 15 home remedies for a sore throat. Always check with a doctor or health professional before taking any alternative remedies, to make sure they are safe to use and that they will not interact with another medication.
A sore throat can be uncomfortable, but most are not serious, and they usually go away quickly. Home remedies and over-the-counter medication can soothe the symptoms. However, if symptoms are severe, persistent, or if a person has difficulty breathing, they should see a doctor. If it is strep throat, they will prescribe antibiotics.
A look at tightness in the throat, an uncomfortable feeling that has a range of causes. Included is detail on anxiety and the symptoms of the…. Pharyngitis, or a sore throat, is an inflammation of the pharynx that can cause discomfort and difficulty swallowing. Learn more here. Norovirus can give a person many symptoms, including diarrhea and nausea.
Find out about the relationship between norovirus and a sore throat here.
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