Sore Throat Causes, Remedies, Symptoms, and Medications

Sore throat definition and facts

Picture of a Girl with Sore Throat

Most sore throats are caused by viruses or mechanical causes (such as mouth breathing) and can be treated successfully at home.
Sore throat symptoms include pain, burning, or scratching sensations at the back of the throat, pain when swallowing, and tenderness in the neck. In addition to a sore throat, other common signs and symptoms may be include:
Home remedies for sore throat include:
- Gargling with salt water
- Throat sprays or lozenges (Do not give lozenges to young children beause they are a choking hazard.)
- Humidifiers
Any sore throat that has a rapid onset and is associated with a fever or tenderness of the front of the neck may be serious and should be seen by a doctor.
Any sore throat that causes difficulty swallowing (not just pain with swallowing) or breathing should be seen by a doctor.
Any sore throat that lasts for more than a week should be evaluated by a health-care professional.
If you are pregnant and your sore throat symptoms are severe or do not resolve in three days, seek medical attention.
Seek medical care immediately if you have a sore throat and are unable to take your medications, have heart palpitations, are lightheaded, or your tongue or lips swell.

25 Sore Throat Natural Home Remedies

Many natural sore throat remedies can be used at home for sore throat pain and other symptom relief, for example, raw garlic, apple cider vinegar, sage and echinacea throat spray, licorice, marshmallow root, and slippery elm.

Click for more natural home remedies for sore throat relief »

What causes a sore throat?

There are several different causes of sore throats.

Viral infections: Viruses are the most common cause of sore throats. Several different viruses can cause common colds and an upper respiratory infections and include:

Viruses that cause the flu (influenza)
Mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus)
Mumps (mumps virus)
Croup (parainfluenza virus)
Coxsackie A virus (herpangina)

Bacterial infections: Less common causes of bacterial infections that cause sore throats include:

Strep throat
Peritonsillar abscess
Retropharyngeal abscess
Diphtheria
Epiglottitis
Tonsillitis

Rarely, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), for example, gonorrhea and chlamydia, can cause a sore throat.

Toxins/Irritants: Many substances can cause sore throats, for example:

Cigarette smoke
Air pollution
Noxious airborne chemicals

Medical conditions: Health problems, can cause sore throats, for example:
- Postnasal drip
- Allergies
- Cough
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Tumors
Intentional or unintentional ingestion: Certain substances, for example, bleach, can cause a sore throat.
Trauma/Injury: Any direct injury to the throat or neck area can cause a sore throat.
Foreign body : Sore throats can be caused foreign bodies stuck in the throat, for example, a bone or piece of food.
Excessive yelling or screaming: The throat and larynx can cause sore throats due to screaming or excessive yelling.

IMAGES

Sore Throat
See a picture of strep throat and other oral health conditions
See Images

What are the differences between sore throat vs. strep throat?

Sore throat is a generic term used to describe the symptom of pain or discomfort in the throat. Usually, bacteria, viruses, trauma, and environmental toxins cause throat pain and its associated symptoms and signs. However, not all cases of sore throat are necessarily strep throat.

Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils (tonsilitis). Strep throat is specifically caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. Diagnosis of the cause of strep throat, and the characteristic signs and symptoms, laboratory tests help diagnose the cause of strep throat. Two common tests are used to diagnose the cause of strep throat, the rapid strep test (RADT) and traditional throat culture.

Latest Cold and Flu News

Trending on MedicineNet

What are the signs and symptoms of a sore throat?

14 signs and symptoms of a sore throat

The signs and symptoms of a sore throat vary depending on the underlying cause. However, the common symptom of a sore throat is the feeling of throat pain and discomfort, which often is worsened by swallowing or thile talking. Some people may complain of a scratchy or dry sensation in their throat as well.

Most sore throats are caused by viral infections. In addition to throat pain, common signs and symptoms of a sore throat include:

Fever and/or chills
Nausea and/or vomiting
Body aches
Headache
Cough
Runny nose or nasal congestion
Earache
Sneezing
Weakness
Lack of appetite
Redness and/or swelling of the tonsils and back of the throat
White patchy areas on the tonsils (exudate)
Swollen and/or tender lymph nodes in the neck
A muffled or hoarse voice

Distinguishing between a sore throat caused by a virus and strep throat can be challenging; however, certain signs and symptoms often can help differentiate between the two. Usually, people with strep throat have signs and symptoms that include red swollen tonsils with white patches (exudate).

Sore throats cause fever and swollen tender lymph nodes in the neck, without the symptoms that usually accompany a cold caused by a virus, for example:

Cough
Runny nose
Nasal congestion
Sneezing

An evaluation with a doctor may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis of a sore throat while a throat culture (swab taken from the back of the throat) can definitively diagnose the cause of strep throat.

If I am pregnant and have a sore throat, what medications are safe to take?

If you are pregnant and your sore throat symptoms are severe, talk to your doctor. Home remedies such as over-the-counter lozenges or saltwater gargles are generally safe. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used for pain or fever. If symptoms last for more than three days, or are associated with a fever see your doctor to be tested for strep throat.

Is a sore throat contagious?

A sore throat may be contagious, depending on the underlying cause. Most sore throats are caused by infections, and under these circumstances a sore throat can be contagious, whether it is caused by a viral infection (the most common cause) or strep throat. To prevent spreading contagious infections that cause sore throats, preventative measures should be taken to prevent the transmission of the infection.

Most types of these infections are transmitted person-to-person via saliva or nasal secretions commonly spread in airborne respiratory droplets, or through direct contact with infected objects (for example, cups or utensils) and infected surfaces. To stop the spread of infections to others:

Wash your hands fequently
Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
Do not sharing utensils and cups

Is there a test to diagnose the cause of sore throats?

To diagnose the cause of a sore throat, the doctor will ask for a detailed history of the illness and perform a physical examination. Because most cases of sore throats are associated with infections, your doctor may order tests to differentiate between a bacterial or viral infection. If your doctor suspects you have strep throat, usually, he or she will take a rapid strep test (swabbing the throat). It takes only minutes for the results, and usually can be obtained during an office visit. A throat culture may be sent to the lab for definitive evaluation of strep throat if the initial rapid strep test is negative. Usually, the results of the culture are available within 24 to 48 hours.

Usually, no further tests are needed, depending on the details of the medical history and the findings on a physical exam. Your doctor may need to order addditional tests to help determine the cause of the sore throat, for example:

Blood tests
Radiologic imaging (CT scan or x-ray) of the throat and neck area to evaluate for other various causes of a sore throat (abscess, trauma/injury, tumor, etc).
In certain cases, a specialist may be recommended depending on the symptoms and presumptive diagnosis (an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist, for example)..

Subscribe to MedicineNet’s General Health Newsletter

By clicking Submit, I agree to the MedicineNet’s Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy and understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet’s subscriptions at any time.

What natural home remedies relieve sore throat pain and other symptoms?

Various home remedies help soothe throat pain and other symptoms of a sore throat.

Gargle with warm saltwater (1 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water) and then spit it out.
Drink warm liquids (such as caffeine-free tea, water with honey, or warm soup broth).
Consume cold foods, for example, Popsicles or ice cream.
Use a humidifier to moisten dry air.

If a sore throat is caused by infection, it is important to drink plenty of fluids and to rest in order to prevent dehydration and to allow the body to properly recover.

What OTC medications help relieve throat pain?

Various over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help soothe a sore throat. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) are analgesics that can provide pain relief. These medications also can reduce fever if the sore throat is caused by infection. Avoid aspirin in children and teenagers, as it has been associated with a serious illness called Reye's syndrome.

Throat lozenges and analgesic throat sprays can help relieve throat pain for some people. (Do not give lozenges to young children, as they are a choking hazard.) O

OTC medications that can help relive throat pain caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) inclulde:

Antacids
H2 blockers
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

If allergies or postnasal drip is causing a sore throat, OTC antihistamines and decongestants may provide symptom relief. If a cough is causing a sore throat, an OTC cough syrup may help diminish the cough.

Zinc lozenges have been found to decrease the duration of symptoms in patients with colds.

From

Cold and Flu Resources

Featured Centers

What can I do if I keep getting a sore or strep throat?

There are a number of situations in which a child or adult can have recurrent positive strep tests.

The first, and most common, is that the strep bacteria were never eradicated in the first place. The person did not get all of the doses of the medication prescribed. Unless the affected person takes a full 5 to 10 day course of antibiotics, the strep throat will not clear. Even missing a dose or two can be a problem. The patient should take all medication exactly as prescribed, and finish all the medication, even if the sore throat has resolved.
Individuals may be asymptomatic carriers of strep (a person who has strep in their throats all the time as part of their normal bacteria, but without symptoms of a sore throat). It may be necessary to test close contacts of a person with recurrent episodes of strep to see if they are carriers.
All strep throat bacteria will be killed by penicillin. If penicillin does not cure strep throat, the affected person should see their doctor. In rare cases, other bacteria in the throat can secrete an enzyme (penicillinase) that breaks down penicillin. This can be overcome by using a drug that is resistant to this enzyme.

Can antibiotics cure a sore throat?

Most cases of sore throat are caused by a viral infection, so antibiotics in these situations are not needed. Antibiotics do not have any effect on a viral infection, as it will need to run its course and your body's natural defenses will typically clear this type of infection.

However, if your sore throat is being caused by a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, then a course of antibiotics will be required to resolve the infection. Complete the full course of antibiotics prescribed, even if you feel better after a few days.

QUESTION

Which illness is known as a viral upper respiratory tract infection?
See Answer

How can I prevent from getting a sore throat?

Often, certain causes of sore throats can be prevented since the most common cause are infections. Whether a sore throat is caused by a viral infection or strep throat, you can help prevent getting or transmitting the infection to others.

12 ways to prevent a sore throat

Avoid close contact with people who are already ill with a viral upper respiratory tract infection or with strep throat (and other bacterial infections).
Practice good personal hygiene habits, such as frequent and thorough hand washing.
Avoid sharing personal objects (such as dishes, cups or utensils).
Cover the mouth when coughing or sneezing.
Wash the hands often.
Avoiding touching potentially infected surfaces (computers, doorknobs, or phones) and direct contact with handkerchiefs, napkins, tissues, or towels used by the person with the infection.
Taking antibiotics and finishting the full course to treat and decrease transmission of the bacteria causing the infection.

Certain measures to help prevent less common causes of sore throats include:

Taking OTC medications to help prevent sore throats if the cause is GERD, allergies, postnasal drip, or cough.
Avoid cigarette smoke, pollutants and noxious airborne chemicals.
Taking safety measures and using protective sports equipment to help avoid traumatic injury to the neck and throat.
Chewing your food carefully in order to prevent injury to the throat from a foreign body (from a fish bone, for example)
Avoiding excessive or prolonged yelling.

When should I see a doctor for a sore throat?

Sore throat is a common symptom, and the decision to seek medical care can sometimes be difficult. Though many individuals with a sore throat will have a viral illness that will typically run its course and resolve without problems, certain causes of sore throats may require treatment beyond waiting out the illness and treating it with over-the-counter medications. See a doctor if your sore throat continues for an extended period.

If you have these signs or symptoms, make an appointment with doctor or to the nearest emergency department:

Severe sore throat
Drooling
Difficulty or inability to swallow saliva, food, or liquids
Difficulty or inability to open your mouth
Difficulty breathing
Severe neck pain or neck stiffness
Redness or swelling of the neck
Bleeding from the throat, or blood in your saliva/phlegm
Fever greatern than> 101 F (38.3 C)