Patient education: Sore throat in adults (The Basics)

What causes sore throat? — Sore throat is usually caused by an infection. Two types of germs can cause it: viruses and bacteria.

People who have a sore throat caused by a virus do not usually need to see a doctor or nurse. But if you think that you might have been exposed to COVID-19, or if COVID-19 is common where you live, ask your doctor or nurse if you should be tested.

People who have a sore throat caused by bacteria might need to see a doctor or nurse. They might have a type of infection called strep throat. Only about 1 in 10 adults who seek medical care for sore throat have strep throat.

How can I tell if my sore throat is caused by a virus or strep throat? — It is hard to tell the difference. But there are some clues to look for.

People who have a sore throat caused by a virus usually have other symptoms, such as:

●Stuffy or runny nose

●Itchy or red eyes

●Cough

People who have COVID-19 can have a sore throat as their only symptom. Or they can have other symptoms such as fever, cough, trouble breathing, and problems with their sense of smell or taste. In most cases, the only way to know for sure if you have COVID-19 is to get tested.

People who have strep throat do not usually have a cough, runny nose, or itchy or red eyes. They might have:

●Severe throat pain

●Fever (temperature higher than 100.4°F or 38°C)

●Swollen glands in the neck

If you think that you have strep throat, the doctor or nurse can easily check. They can take a sample from the back of your throat and test it for the bacteria that cause strep throat.

Do I need antibiotics? — If you have an infection caused by a virus, you do not need antibiotics. But if you have strep throat, you should get antibiotics. Most people with strep throat get better without antibiotics, but doctors and nurses often prescribe them. This is because antibiotics often can prevent other problems that might be caused by strep throat. Plus, antibiotics can reduce the symptoms of strep throat and prevent you from spreading it to other people.

What can I do to feel better? — To relieve the pain of sore throat, you can:

●Take over-the-counter pain medicine – Acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) can help with throat pain.

●Use sore throat lozenges or sprays – Using medicated sore throat lozenges or throat sprays can temporarily reduce throat pain.

●Suck on hard candies, ice chips, or ice pops.

●Gargle with salt water – Some people find that this helps with throat pain.

●Use a cool mist humidifier – This adds moisture to the air to keep the throat from getting too dry and might help with pain.

●Avoid smoking or being around people who are smoking – Smoke can make throat pain worse.

When can I go back to work or school? — If you have strep throat, wait 1 day after starting antibiotics. By then, you will be a lot less likely to spread the infection to others.

If you have COVID-19, stay home from work or school and "self-isolate" until your doctor or nurse tells you it's safe to stop. Self-isolation means staying apart from other people, even the people you live with. When you can stop self-isolation depends on how long it has been since you had symptoms, and in some cases, whether you have had a negative test (showing that the virus is no longer in your body).

If you have a sore throat that is not due to strep throat or COVID-19, you can go back to your usual activities as soon as you feel well. But it's still important to wash your hands often and cover your mouth if you cough.

When should I call the doctor? — Call your doctor or nurse if:

●You have a fever of at least 101°F (38.4°C).

●Your throat pain is severe within the first 2 days, or does not start to improve within 5 to 7 days.

●You are having trouble getting enough to eat or drink.

●You got antibiotics but still have symptoms after finishing them.

Call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) or go to the emergency department if you:

●Have trouble breathing

●Are drooling because you cannot swallow your saliva

●Have swelling of the neck or tongue

●Cannot move your neck, or have trouble opening your mouth

What can I do to prevent getting a sore throat again? — Wash your hands often with soap and water (figure 1). It is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infection.

More on this topic

Patient education: Strep throat in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Cough, runny nose, and the common cold (The Basics)
Patient education: Fever in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Flu (The Basics)

Patient education: Sore throat in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Sore throat in children (Beyond the Basics)