A sore throat is a common ailment. While they can occur at any time of the year and for a variety of reasons, sore throats tend to be most common during cold and flu season. The pain can range from mild to moderate to severe, and the duration of time the pain lasts can vary from a day or two to a week or more. More often than not, a sore throat doesn’t require medical care and can be managed at home with natural, homeopathic remedies, or with over-the-counter medications. In some cases, however, a sore throat can become severe and will require a trip to the doctor. In this article, we will discuss when a sore throat is minor, as well as when you should worry about a sore throat.
When Should You Worry About A Sore Throat?
How do you know when it’s time to start worrying about a sore throat? Keep on reading to find out.
What Is a Sore Throat?
First, it’s helpful to explain what a sore throat is. While you’re probably already aware, just be sure, a sore throat is marked by pain, scratchiness, or irritation in the throat that intensifies when you swallow.
What Causes a Sore Throat?
There are several factors that can contribute to a sore throat. Viral infections are the most common culprit, and the following viruses are often to blame:
- The common cold (coronavirus)
- Influenza (the flu)
- Mononucleosis (mono)
- Chickenpox
- Croup
- Measles
Bacterial infections are also commonly blamed for sore throats. Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus), the bacteria that causes strep throat, is the most frequent. Though less common, staph, another type of bacteria, can also cause a sore throat.
Other Factors That Can Contribute to a Sore Throat
Laryngitis
Laryngitis is a condition that is marked by an inflammation of the voice box and causes a dry cough, a hoarse voice, and the constant feeling that the throat needs to be cleared.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis, or an inflammation of the tonsils, can cause spots or red patches on the tonsils, making it difficult to swallow.
Glandular Fever
Glandular fever can cause a sore throat and fever when the glands in the neck are swollen.
Quinsy
Quinsy is a collection of pus along the back of the throat.
Epiglottitis
Epiglottitis, or an inflammation of the flap of tissue at the back of the throat.
Allergies
Allergies to things like dust, pet dander, molds, and pollens can result in a postnasal drip that inflames and irritates the throat.
Dryness
Dryness, from long-term exposure to excessively dry indoor or outdoor air. Such exposure can make the throat feel rough and scratchy.
Nasal Congestion
Nasal congestion leading to mouth breathing can dry out the throat and make it feel scratchy, irritated, and painful.
Exposure to Irritants
Exposure to irritants in either indoor or outdoor air; pollutants such as chemicals, microplastics, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and tobacco and other types of smoke.
Muscle Strain
Muscle strain can be caused by constantly talking for prolonged periods of time. Examples include: talking loudly, yelling, and shouting.
Tumors
Benign or malignant tumors can grow alongside the tissues that line the back of the throat, the tongue, and the larynx (the voice box). Both noncancerous and cancerous tumors can cause pain in the throat, as well as difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, noisy breathing, and even a lump in the neck and blood in the sputum.
When to Worry About a Sore Throat
Often, a sore throat isn’t a cause for concern. Generally, it’s a benign, albeit unpleasant, symptom, and it will clear up within a few days on its own. There are times, however, when a sore throat could be a sign of a more serious problem. If the pain intensifies, it lasts for a period of several days or more, and the pain is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, you should seek medical care. Your doctor will perform a thorough assessment of your throat, will make a diagnosis, and will provide supportive guidance, prescription medication, or follow-up tests.
What Kind of Remedies Can Help a Sore Throat?
If you don’t suspect that your sore throat is a sign of a problem that requires medical care, there are several strategies that you can use to soothe a sore throat and alleviate the pain. Examples of a few home-based remedies to try include:
- Remaining hydrated
- Gargling with warm saltwater
- Sucking on lozenges
- Using throat sprays
- Taking an over-the-counter pain and inflammation reliever, such as ibuprofen
- Drinking hot tea
Learn more: Sore Throat Natural Cure
Testing For Strep Throat
To determine what type of illness a doctor will ask about symptoms and conduct a physical examination. If the doctor suspects you might have strep throat, they will swab your throat to test. If a rapid strep test comes back positive, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. However, if the rapid strep test comes back negative, but your doctor still suspects you have strep throat they will take a throat culture swab.
Although a throat culture will take longer to diagnose strep throat, they are better for finding group A strep bacteria that rapid strep test miss. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, throat cultures are more important for children and teens since they can develop rheumatic fever from an untreated strep throat condition.
Additional Reading:
Is Strep Throat Contagious?
When and How to Wash Your Hands – Sore Throat Prevention
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