Sore throat doctor near me

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About Sore throat

A sore throat, also known as pharyngitis, may feel coarse, irritated, or swollen. Inflammation in the throat can be made more painful when talking or swallowing. Common symptoms of a sore throat include:

  • Dryness and/or hoarseness
  • Swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck or jaw
  • Pain or difficulty when swallowing
  • Swollen tonsils that are red or have patches of white discharge
  • Changes to your vocal quality

Other symptoms that can accompany a sore throat include chills, coughing, fever, earache, sneezing, nausea, headache, or stuffy nose. These symptoms often indicate infection, whether it’s viral, fungal, or bacterial. Viral infections like the common cold and the flu are the most common causes of a sore throat. Strep throat is the most common bacterial infection of the throat, which affects 1 in 10 adults and 3 in 10 children every year. Other serious illnesses involving a sore throat include tonsillitis and mononucleosis.

Not all sore throats are caused by infection. A sore throat may result from non-infectious causes including overuse of the voice, sleeping with your mouth open, acid reflux, pollution, and allergies. Talk to your doctor if you have hoarseness that lasts longer than two weeks, chronic or recurring sore throats, trouble breathing, a visible lump at the back of the throat, excessive drooling (in children), or a sore throat that is accompanied by an extremely high temperature (over 100.4 F).

Treatment options for a sore throat vary depending on its underlying cause. Most cases of sore throat caused by the common cold or flu will go away without treatment in about 5 to 7 days. During your appointment, talk to your doctor or provider about which of these treatment plans is right for you.

Most instances of a sore throat are caused by a viral infection, which cannot be treated with antibiotics. If your doctor suspects that your sore throat is caused by a different type of infection or ailment, you may be prescribed medication. Forms of medication used to treat a sore throat include:

- Over-the-counter pain relievers: acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil) relieve pain and reduce inflammation caused by an irritated throat.

- Over-the-counter antacids: Antacids can help reduce sore throats caused by acid reflux.

- Antibiotics: Antibiotics release antimicrobial substances to kill or inhibit the growth of bacterial infections. If your doctor prescribes you antibiotics, it is very important to take the full course of medication to prevent the infection from getting worse.

- Antifungal medication: Pharmaceutical fungicides can kill or inhibit the growth of fungal infections.

- Antihistamines: Anti-inflammatory medication (such as cetirizine hydrochloride or corticosteroids) can help reduce inflammation caused by allergies. This opens up the airways and improves your ability to breathe.

In addition to medication, you can take a number of steps to avoid irritating your airways further. These include:

  • Warm liquids such as herbal teas with lemon and honey can help relieve pain caused by a sore throat.
  • Reduce or remove allergens such as pet dander, harsh chemicals, or mold from your home that may be the underlying cause of an allergic sore throat.
  • Use a humidifier.
  • Use an air purifier to help remove air pollution from your living spaces.
  • Drink plenty of fluids.
  • Stop smoking. Smoking seriously damages the lung tissue and can worsen the symptoms of chronic sore throats.
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