What is a sore throat?
A sore throat (sometimes referred to as 'pharyngitis') is a fairly common condition. It’s when your throat feels all scratchy and it may be painful to talk or swallow.
It’s usually caused by a viral infection, but can sometimes be caused by the streptococcus bacteria.
A sore throat is often a symptom of a broader medical issue, such as a cold or the flu, but it can occur on its own too.
Sore throats don’t tend to last very long and most people will recover fully within a week. However, if your sore throat isn't going away or is particularly uncomfortable, our doctors are on hand to help.
What are the symptoms of a sore throat?
Some of the most common sore throat symptoms include:
- a scratchy sensation in your throat
- pain and/or discomfort when swallowing or talking
- swollen or tender glands in your neck
- your tonsils may look red and swollen
- there may be white pus on your tonsils
- you may lose your voice
Depending on what’s causing the sore throat, you may also experience:
- a runny or blocked nose
- headache
- cough
- sneezing
- high temperature
- muscle aches and pains
- tiredness
- nausea or vomiting
If it’s a child with a sore throat, they may also:
- have a high temperature
- Show signs of lethargy, or be more tired than normal
What causes a sore throat?
Sore throats can be either viral, bacterial or caused by another condition. In most cases, a virus is to blame.
Viruses and bacteria are passed from person-to-person by direct contact, such as coughs and sneezes, or indirect contact, such as touching a surface that's been touched by an infected person.
Some causes of a sore throat include:
- the flu
- a cold
- measles
- chickenpox
- mumps
- mononucleosis
- laryngitis
- tonsillitis
- glandular fever
- strep throat
- allergies
- exposure to irritants, such as smoke
- GORD
- croup - which is common in children and babies
How is a sore throat diagnosed?
Often, a sore throat will go away on its own after a few days to a week without the need to see a GP for a diagnosis or treatment.
However, if there’s no improvement after a week, you should see a GP. Likewise, if your sore throat keeps coming back, it is severe, or if you have other symptoms you’re worried about, such as a high temperature, you can see a GP.
You should also seek medical advice if you have a weakened immune system, as you are more at risk of complications from a sore throat.
Our GPs can listen to your symptoms over a video consultation and take a look at your throat before providing a diagnosis.
If you start coughing up blood, have chest pain, are drooling, have breathing or swallowing difficulties, are making a high-pitched wheezing sound as you breathe, or are deteriorating rapidly, go to A&E or call 999 urgently.
What is the treatment for a sore throat?
Often, treatment from a doctor isn’t needed for a sore throat, as it will go away on its own, usually within a few days to a week.
There are things you can do at home to help ease your symptoms, including:
- taking over-the-counter pain medication (only use medication for children if it’s a child who has a sore throat)
- gargling with warm salt water (this isn’t suitable for children)
- drinking plenty of fluids - cold fluids may sooth the pain
- resting your voice
- getting plenty of sleep and rest
- sucking on throat lozenges, hard boiled sweets or even ice cubes (this isn’t suitable for children as there is a choking risk)
- avoiding smoky environments, and not smoking yourself
- using a humidifier in your home to keep the air moist
- using an anaesthetic spray to numb the back of your throat - these are available from a pharmacy
Antibiotics will only be prescribed if your sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection, and at the doctor's discretion. Strep throat is generally more painful and lasts longer than a sore throat caused by a virus.