A sore throat is a common health concern that can cause a lot of misery. Making matters worse, it’s often hard to tell what’s causing the discomfort. Perhaps it’s a cold, or maybe you’re scratchy from yelling too much at your child’s sporting event. You might also worry that it’s strep throat.
To break down the common causes of sore throat and ways to get relief, we checked in with Dr. Glenn Vogelsang, a Family Medicine Physician at ThedaCare Physicians-Oshkosh.
“Most sore throats will resolve on their own with home care measures,” he says. “At the same time, it’s important to watch for the warning signs of strep throat.”
Sore Throat Symptoms
You may experience a sore throat in several ways. It may feel scratchy, raspy, or achy. You might also feel a sharp pain, especially with swallowing. Sometimes a sore throat can lead to pain in your ears or neck.
Viruses are the most common sore throat cause, Dr. Vogelsang says. Other culprits can include allergies, tonsillitis, acid reflux, strep throat of various types, and other bacterial infections. Your throat also can get irritated from yelling, smoke exposure, or consuming hot liquids or spicy foods.
When to Suspect Strep
A viral sore throat can feel similar to strep throat.
“I often tell people to look at the whole picture of their symptoms,” Dr. Vogelsang says. “If you also have cold symptoms such as a runny nose and cough, a virus is the likely cause of your sore throat.”
Streptococcus, the bacteria that causes strep, has many types. The most common is group A strep.
Strep throat symptoms can include:
- Throat pain that usually comes on quickly
- Painful swallowing
- Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with gray or white patches or streaks of pus
- Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting, especially in kids
- Rash on abdomen
- Joint pain
“If you suspect strep throat, it’s important to get tested,” Dr. Vogelsang says. “Untreated, strep can become serious.”
Strep Testing and Treatment
Diagnosing strep requires a throat swab and lab test. Your doctor or advanced practice clinician might order this depending on your symptoms. They also may also feel your neck to check for swollen glands and use a lighted instrument to look at your throat, nose, and ears.
If a strep test comes back positive, you’ll receive a prescription for antibiotics. It’s important to finish the full course, even if your symptoms have resolved. Failing to do so can lead to complications.
If the rapid strep test is negative and the throat looks bad, your doctor or provider also may order a throat culture looking for other forms of strep or bacteria.
General Sore Throat Relief
“Antibiotics will not treat a viral infection,” Dr. Vogelsang says. “Instead, comfort measures at home can help ease symptoms
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides these sore throat relief tips:
- Try sucking lozenges, popsicles, or ice chips. Don’t give lozenges to kids under 4 years old.
- Warm water and honey can help relieve sore throat and cough and can be given to children as young as 1 year old.
- Gargle warm salt water or half-strength peroxide followed by Cepacol mouthwash three to four times per day.
- Drink warm beverages or plenty of other fluids (not alcohol).
- Run a clean cool-mist humidifier or mist vaporizer.
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers as directed. Some over-the-counter medicines are not recommended for young children. Don’t give aspirin to children. Acetaminophen can help a fever or discomfort but has no anti-inflammatory properties. Ibuprofen does and may be more helpful for relieving the discomfort. If you have questions, talk to your health care provider.
- Get plenty of rest, and try not to use your voice.
- Avoid irritants like cigarette smoke and harsh cleaning products.
- Stay home to stop the spread of the virus.
Worsening Symptoms
Seek medical care for the following:
- A sore throat that worsens, doesn’t get better within a few days, or keeps coming back
- Rash, joint pain, or swelling
- Blood in your phlegm or saliva, or excessive drooling in children
- Dehydration
“If there’s a lot of pain with swallowing or the tonsils are quite large, we may choose to give you a course of steroids to decrease swelling and to make swallowing more comfortable,” Dr. Vogelsang says.
Preventing Illness
Both strep and viral sore throats spread through droplets of saliva or through direct contact. Practicing good hygiene can reduce the chances of becoming ill.
Follow these steps:
- Wash hands frequently. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
- If possible, cough or sneeze into a tissue. Throw your used tissue in the garbage.
- If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.
- Don’t share cups and utensils with anyone who’s sick, and don’t share your own when you’re sick.
- Avoid exposure to people who are ill, and stay home if you’re sick.
Dr. Vogelsang offers his personal take on dealing with a pesky sore throat.
“If a sore throat is associated with a viral upper respiratory infection, taking vitamin C and zinc may help decrease the length of the illness,” he says. “Try 250mg to 1,000mg of vitamin C four times per day and 25mg to 100mg of zinc twice a day. Continue this for three to four days.”
Need sore throat care? From primary care clinics to urgent and virtual care, ThedaCare has an option for you.
