When Should I Worry About a Sore Throat?
On average, about 5% to 20% of the U.S. population catches the flu each year.
One of the most common symptoms of the flu is a sore throat. Of course, a sore throat isn’t limited to the flu. If your throat hurts, there could also be a chance of it being a simple cold, strep throat, COVID-19, and much more.
Let’s take a closer look at when you should start to worry over your throat hurting and whether you can stick with home treatment or visit a doctor.
Why You Have a Sore Throat
When the throat hurts, it often starts as a tickle in the back of the throat. It soon grows into mild irritation and with each swallow, the pain becomes more noticeable.
When you have an itchy throat, it’s often due to a cold or allergies. You can also get painful throat symptoms when you have post-nasal drainage.
Other common causes behind a sore throat include:
- Environmental irritants
- Dry air
- Mononucleosis
- Influenza
- Strep throat
Sometimes, an oral pathology can accompany a sore throat. If you notice reddish or whitish patches in the mouth or a sore that bleeds easily and refuses to heal, you should see a throat doctor.
When to Get Treatment for a Sore Throat
If your sore throat hurts so bad that you feel like you can no longer endure it and can’t swallow, you should look into scheduling an appointment with a doctor. A medical professional can give you a diagnosis as to whether your sore throat is a symptom of something more serious or not.
Sometimes, when a sore throat is a symptom of a more serious condition, you’ll experience symptoms like:
- High fever
- Neck swelling
- Red rash
- Persistent bad breath
If you have drainage along with your sore throat, this can be a warning sign that you might have an infection. On top of that, if you see white spots on your tongue or back of your throat, this might be a sign of strep throat.
If you’re suffering from any of these additional symptoms, you should look into seeing a doctor for treatment.
When to Stick With Home Treatment
If you aren’t experiencing any of the more serious symptoms, then you should be safe to try home remedies and not see a doctor. There are several different home remedies you can try to help alleviate your throat pain.
One popular way is to gargle warm salt water every hour. By doing this, you can help to reduce the pain and swelling.
Another great way to help relieve a sore throat is to drink or eat hot fluids. This could mean drinking hot tea or eating a hot bowl of chicken noodle soup. These help to soothe the throat and will also thin sinus mucus so that it drains better.
Last, don’t forget to try over-the-counter medicines. Nonprescription medications like throat lozenges, anti-inflammatories, and decongestants can go a long way in helping with discomfort.
Take Care of Your Health
A sore throat can make you feel miserable. To help avoid getting a sore throat in the first place, be sure to practice good hygiene. Washing your hands often and changing your toothbrush every month can go a long way in preserving your health.
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