DiagnosisYour or your child's doctor may review the symptoms and medical history. He or she may conduct a physical exam that includes: Show
Throat swabIn many cases, doctors use a simple test to detect streptococcal bacteria, the cause of strep throat. The doctor rubs a sterile swab over the back of the throat to get a sample of secretions and sends the sample to a lab for testing. Many clinics are equipped with a lab that can get a test result for a rapid antigen test within a few minutes. However, a second, often more reliable test, called a throat culture, is sometimes sent to a lab that returns results within 24 to 48 hours. Rapid antigen tests aren't as sensitive, although they can detect strep bacteria quickly. Because of this, the doctor may send a throat culture to a lab to test for strep throat if the antigen test comes back negative. In some cases, doctors may use a molecular test to detect streptococcal bacteria. In this test, a doctor swipes a sterile swab over the back of the throat to get a sample of secretions. The sample is tested in a lab. Your or your child's doctor may have accurate results within a few minutes. TreatmentA sore throat caused by a viral infection usually lasts five to seven days and doesn't usually require medical treatment. Antibiotics don't help treat a viral infection. To ease pain and fever, many people turn to acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or other mild pain relievers. Consider giving your child over-the-counter pain medications designed for infants or children, such as acetaminophen (Children's Tylenol, FeverAll, others) or ibuprofen (Children's Advil, Children's Motrin, others), to ease symptoms. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers because it has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that causes swelling in the liver and brain. Treating bacterial infectionsIf your or your child's sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor or pediatrician will prescribe antibiotics. You or your child must take the full course of antibiotics as prescribed even if the symptoms are gone. Failure to take all of the medication as directed can result in the infection worsening or spreading to other parts of the body. Not completing the full course of antibiotics to treat strep throat can increase a child's risk of rheumatic fever or serious kidney inflammation. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what to do if you forget a dose. Other treatmentsIf a sore throat is a symptom of a condition other than a viral or bacterial infection, other treatments will likely be considered depending on the diagnosis. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful
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email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Clinical trialsExplore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Lifestyle and home remediesRegardless of the cause of your sore throat, these at-home care strategies can help you ease your or your child's symptoms:
Alternative medicineAlthough several alternative treatments are commonly used to soothe a sore throat, evidence is limited about what works. If you or your child needs an antibiotic for a bacterial infection, don't rely on alternative treatments alone. Check with your doctor before using any herbal remedies, as they can interact with prescription medications and may not be safe for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people with certain health conditions. Herbal or alternative products for a sore throat are often packaged as teas, sprays or lozenges. Common alternative remedies include:
Preparing for your appointmentIf you or your child has a sore throat, make an appointment with your family doctor or your child's pediatrician. In some cases, you may be referred to a specialist in ear, nose and throat (ENT) disorders or an allergy specialist (allergist). Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment. What you can doMake a list of:
For a sore throat, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
Don't hesitate to ask other questions. What to expect from your doctorYour doctor is likely to ask questions about you or your child. Your doctor might ask:
Why is my throat swollen and hurts to swallow?The most common cause of a sore throat (pharyngitis) is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. A sore throat caused by a virus resolves on its own. Strep throat (streptococcal infection), a less common type of sore throat caused by bacteria, requires treatment with antibiotics to prevent complications.
How do I fix my throat when it hurts to swallow?Sore Throat Relief. Try hot tea with lemon or some hot soup.. Keep your throat moist with lozenges or hard candies.. Gargle with warm salt water or use ice chips.. Cold liquids or popsicles can numb the pain. Throat sprays and over-the-counter pain relievers can help, too.. What to do if your throat is swollen and hurts?Lifestyle and home remedies. Rest. Get plenty of sleep. ... . Drink fluids. Fluids keep the throat moist and prevent dehydration. ... . Try comforting foods and beverage. ... . Gargle with saltwater. ... . Humidify the air. ... . Consider lozenges or hard candy. ... . Avoid irritants. ... . Stay at home until you're no longer sick.. |