Sore Throat

Symptoms

DEFINITION

• Pain, discomfort or raw feeling of the throat, especially when swallowing

General Information

• Sore throat is one of the most common reasons patients go to the doctor's office.
• The medical term for a throat infection is pharyngitis or tonsillo-pharyngitis.

Causes of Sore Throat

• Colds: Most sore throats are from a cold or other viral infection. The presence of a cough, hoarseness or nasal symptoms points to a cold or viral infection as the cause of the sore throat.
• Strep Throat: In adults, approximately 10-20% of sore throats are caused by the streptococcus (strep) bacteria. Streptococcal pharyngitis is the only commonly occurring bacteria for which antibiotic therapy is definitely indicated.
• Mono: Infectious mononucleosis is primarily seen in young adults, causing 5-10% of the sore throats in that population. It should be suspected in young adults with fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and a negative strep throat culture. A blood test called a "monospot" can help make the diagnosis. There is no antibiotic treatment.
• Other common causes include dry air, smoking, post-nasal drip and yelling. Sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., gonorrhea) can also cause pharyngitis.

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

• Sore throat occurs with a COLD
• Sore throat is mild and COUGH is the main symptom

Should I Call?

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Care at Home

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD SORE THROAT

1. For Relief of Sore Throat Pain:
   • Sip warm chicken broth or apple juice.
   • Suck on hard candy or a throat lozenge (over-the-counter).
   • Gargle warm salt water three times daily (1 teaspoon of salt in a 8 oz of warm water).
   • Avoid cigarette smoke.
2. Pain Medicines:
   • For pain relief, take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen.
   • Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol):
     • Take 650 mg by mouth every 4-6 hours. Each Regular Strength Tylenol pill has 325 mg of acetaminophen.
     • Another choice is to take 1,000 mg every 8 hours. Each Extra Strength Tylenol pill has 500 mg of acetaminophen.
     • The most you should take each day is 3,000 mg.

   • Ibuprofen (e.g., Motrin, Advil):

     • Take 400 mg by mouth every 6 hours

     • Another choice is to take or 600 mg by mouth every 8 hours.

     • Use the lowest amount that makes your pain feel better.

   • Naproxen (e.g., Aleve)

     • Take 250-500 mg by mouth every 12 hours.

     • Use the lowest amount that makes your pain feel better.

   • Extra Notes

     • Acetaminophen is thought to be safer than ibuprofen or naproxen in people over 65 years old. Acetaminophen is in many OTC and prescription medicines. It might be in more than one medicine that you are taking. You need to be careful and not take an overdose. An overdose can hurt the liver.

     • Before taking any medicine, read all the instructions on the package.

3. Fever Medication:
   • For fevers above 101° F (38.3° C) take acetaminophen or ibuprofen. The goal of fever therapy is to bring the fever down to a comfortable level. Remember that fever medicine usually lowers fever 2 degrees F (1 - 1 1/2 degrees C).
   • Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol): The dose is 650 mg by mouth every 4 hours or 1000 mg by mouth every 6 hours. Maximum dose per day = 4000 mg.
   • Ibuprofen (e.g., Motrin, Advil): The dose is 400 mg by mouth every 6 hours or 600 mg by mouth every 8 hours.
   • People who are over 65 Years of age: Acetaminophen is generally considered safer than ibuprofen. Acetaminophen dosing interval should be increased to every 8 hours because of reduced liver metabolism. Maximum dose per day = 3000 mg.
   • CAUTION: Do not take ibuprofen if you have stomach problems, kidney disease, are pregnant, or have been told by your doctor to avoid this type of anti-inflammatory drug. Do not take ibuprofen for more than 7 days without consulting your doctor.
   • CAUTION: Do not take acetaminophen if you have liver disease.
   • Read the package instructions thoroughly on all medications that you take.
4. Soft Diet: Cold drinks and milk shakes are especially good (Reason: swollen tonsils can make some foods hard to swallow).
5. Liquids: Adequate liquid intake is important to prevent dehydration. Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day.
6. Contagiousness: You can return to work or school after the fever is gone and you feel well enough to participate in normal activities. If your doctor determines that you have Strep throat, then you will need to take an antibiotic for 24 hours before you can return.
7. Expected Course: Sore throats with viral illnesses usually last 3 or 4 days.
8. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Sore throat is the main symptom and it lasts longer than 24 hours
   • Sore throat is mild but lasts longer than 4 days
   • Fever lasts longer than 3 days
   • You become worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Photo Example

Source: CDC PHIL

From the CDC's Public Health Image Library (http://phil.cdc.gov), ID#5163, in the public domain.