How to Understand That a Sore Throat Is Something Serious
A sore throat is quite common and usually nothing to worry about. However, sometimes they can indicate something quite serious. I, for example, had a very dramatic tonsillectomy at the age of 17 after a year of almost endless sore throats – no home remedies could fix what ended up requiring two separate hospitalizations and procedures to correct. So, how do you know if a sore throat is lasting too long? Or when it’s serious?
What does a normal sore throat look like?
We are all familiar with the sensation of a sore throat: it scratches, irritates and hurts, and the sensation is aggravated by swallowing. According to the Mayo Clinic , the most common cause of this problem is a viral infection such as a cold or flu, but the good news is that these types of sore throats go away on their own.
Strep throat is less common and is caused by bacteria. This requires antibiotic treatment to prevent any complications. Other less common causes of sore throats may require even more complex treatment. The trouble, of course, is that it can be difficult to know if your illness is one of those associated with a cold that goes away on its own after a few days, or if it requires more serious intervention, and you probably don’t want to go to doctor. go to the clinic every time you feel discomfort, as there is a high probability that you will be told that you have a viral infection and sent on a journey.
When to See a Doctor
Pain, inflamed or swollen glands in the neck or jaw, red tonsils, and a muffled voice are not in and of themselves a reason to seek emergency care, but they are :
- Labored breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Unusual drooling (which may indicate an inability to swallow, especially in children)
- Sore throat lasts longer than a week
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Joint pain
- Ear ache
- Rash
- Fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit
- Blood in saliva or sputum
- Frequently recurring sore throat
- Bump on your neck
- Hoarseness that lasts more than two weeks
- Swelling of the face or neck
A sore throat can be caused by a cold, flu, allergies, or even a minor physical injury. It can also be caused by mononucleosis, measles, chickenpox, COVID-19, or croup, not to mention more serious things like HIV or tumors. If you have any of the above symptoms, get tested.
How long does a sore throat last?
Fever and joint pain will be easy to identify if they happen, but a sore throat is so common that you may not start counting the days you experience it. You really should, as the duration of your sore throat can help you (well, your doctor) figure out what’s causing it.
According to Healthline , most sore throats go away on their own within three to ten days, but once you hit that one-week mark, really look out for other symptoms. If it persists longer than this, see your doctor.