Having a sore throat can be uncomfortable, or worse. In many cases, sore throats are caused by viral infections but an expert at Baylor College of Medicine says that although this may be the most common cause; multiple health conditions may play a role in having an itchy, irritated and painful throat. Show
“The most common reason for someone to develop a sore throat would be a virus, and this is often accompanied by a runny nose, cough or malaise,” said Dr. Julina Ongkasuwan, assistant professor of otolaryngology at Baylor. A severe sore throat may be an indication of possible strep throat, a bacterial infection. Individuals who develop strep throat often have high fevers or pus on the tonsils; however, Ongkasuwan said many other viral infections may be associated with high fevers so she recommends visiting your doctor for a throat swab. “For most people experiencing a sore throat, I generally recommend rest and hydration. If you are highly concerned then you should get a strep swab, and you really shouldn’t take antibiotics unless the strep swab is positive,” she said. Those who experience strep throat multiple times a year may be a candidate for tonsillectomy. “According to the Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, if an individual has documented strep throat seven times in one year, five times per year for two consecutive years, or three times per year for three consecutive years, they can consider having their tonsils removed,” Ongkasuwan said. Other health conditions that can cause sore throat are reflux, tonsil stones, muscle tension, and mononucleosis, also known as mono. Acid reflux can cause heartburn and if the acid reaches the throat it can also lead to throat discomfort. Tonsil stones refer to food debris that get stuck in the tonsils resulting in inflammation and irritation. For throat pain that persists beyond three weeks and is accompanied by difficulty swallowing or weight loss, Ongkasuwan recommends visiting a doctor to rule out any severe health conditions. There are ways to sooth a sore throat without having to take antibiotics, such as non-caffeinated warm tea or hot water with honey. “Sore throats are very common. While viral infections are the most common cause, severe or persistent pain may be indicative of a more serious problem. If your throat pain lasts longer than 3 weeks or if you are concerned, visit your local doctor.” Thanks for visiting! GoodRx is not available outside of the United States. If you are trying to access this site from the United States and believe you have received this message in error, please reach out to and let us know. Throat Cancer Symptoms & SignsThe symptoms of throat cancer vary according to the location of the tumor. General signs of throat cancer may include the following: Sore throat: Pain or discomfort in your throat that doesn’t go away is one of the most common symptoms of throat cancer. Voice
changes: Cancer in your throat can affect your voice. Your voice might sound different. It may be quieter, husky, or sound as if you have a cold all the time. You might slur some of your words or have trouble pronouncing certain sounds. Trouble swallowing: Throat cancer can cause pain or a burning sensation when chewing and swallowing food. You might feel like food is sticking in your throat. A lump in your throat: You may
have a lump in your throat caused by an enlarged lymph node. Swelling in one or more lymph nodes in the neck is a common symptom of throat cancer, as well as other head and neck cancers. Lumps that come and go are not usually due to cancer. Cancer usually forms a lump that slowly gets bigger. Weight loss: Weight loss is a common symptom of many different types of cancer. Throat cancer
can make it painful to eat and difficult to swallow, which can cause weight loss. So, you wake up one morning and your throat (or worse, your child’s throat) is itchy, inflamed, and irritated. It’s just a sore throat. Or is it?Sign and symptoms of a sore throat (scientifically called pharyngitis) can just as easily be the beginnings of something more serious: strep throat (Streptococcal Pharyngitis) caused by strep bacteria. Let’s take a look at the signs to narrow it down a little bit further. Sore Throat SymptomsA sore throat can be caused by allergens, like pollen and dust or even food, or sometimes bacterial infections. The most common culprits, however, are flu and viral infections and will not respond to the course of antibiotics. Symptoms include:
Home treatment is usually all that is needed and certain at-home remedies differ for adults and children. Though these same flu remedies are recommended for sore throats in adults:
You can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever for associated body aches and pains. If you keep having recurring sore throats, your throat is sore for longer than a week, and are dehydrated you should see your doctor, or drop in to a GoHealth Urgent Care nearest you for a check-up. We can evaluate to see if you should be prescribed something to relieve the itchy cough and throat pain. Strep Throat SymptomsSigns and symptoms of strep throat are very similar to an ordinary sore throat, but in general strep throat has:
If these symptoms last more than two days, you might have strep. Don’t panic! Only rarely does it demand emergency attention. Diagnosis & Treatment for Strep ThroatProviders can perform a quick strep test to look for antigens (indicator molecules) belonging to the bacterial strain Streptococcus A. If negative…You’re not out of the woods yet. The rapid strep test is good, but not perfect: about 15% of people with strep throat may have a negative test result. If your provider still suspects strep throat, he or she can conduct a throat culture. Results may take 1-2 days to return. If you have a sore throat, be sure to treat it either with a few home remedies or contact your local urgent care for a prescription to comfort you and get you through it. If positive…Sorry! You have strep throat. You will most likely be prescribed antibiotics and feel better in approximately However, it is important that you If you don't, you allow the bacteria that remain in your system to mutate and become more resistant to antibiotics. You may also consider taking ibuprofen (such as Advil) or acetaminophen (like Tylenol) to reduce throat pain and fever symptoms. Remember: Strep is very contagious. Don’t risk infecting your friends & family and get treated now! What to Do if You Think Your Child Has Strep ThroatIf you notice these symptoms and think your child has strep throat, once again, there’s no need to rush to an emergency room. You may not need to schedule a doctor’s visit with your child’s pediatrician, either. Strep throat is painful, and your child may have to wait hours or even days to see a primary care physician or pediatrician. Instead, an urgent care facility is the perfect place to turn. Places like GoHealth Urgent Care frequently test and treat strep throat, especially in young children. We can also refer an ear, nose, and throat specialist is something to think about, should the problem persist. When you visit our urgent care center, there is no need to schedule an appointment and your wait time will be short (wait times are usually less than 15 minutes.) Another tip to remember is this: strep throat is very contagious, so make sure your child stays home from school or other responsibilities after a strep diagnosis. After 24 hours of antibiotics, the infection will no longer be contagious. Health news and tips for the whole familyStay on top of your health Get seasonal tips and tricks Recipes to keep your family healthy Subscribe to our newsletterBy providing your email address you agree that GoHealth Urgent Care and our health system partner may contact you in the future. Your privacy is important to us; view our Privacy Policy. Why does my throat hurt when I swallow on the right side?Many things can cause a sore throat on one side, even if you don't have tonsils. These include post-nasal drip, canker sores, tooth infections, and other conditions. You might only have throat pain, or you might have additional symptoms, such as an earache.
Why is my sore throat only on one side?Swollen lymph nodes
The lymph nodes nearest to the throat lie on each side. Inflammation of these nodes can make your throat feel sore and irritated. Several infections and diseases cause swollen lymph nodes. In some cases, soreness happens in a single node, causing a sore throat on one side.
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