How to Determine the Seriousness of A Sore Throat

The majority of the time, sore throats are not caused for concern. But on occasion, they might indicate a really serious issue. Many different things might cause a sore throat, but you can get some information from how long it lasts.

How do you tell when a sore throat has persisted too long, then? Or when it’s already on the verge of it being alarmingly serious?

How does a normal sore throat feel?

The all-too-familiar symptoms of a sore throat: itching, irritation, and pain that gets worse as you swallow.

Bacteria are what cause less common strep throat. To avoid any complications, it needs to receive antibiotic treatment. Even more complicated treatments might be needed for the other, less frequent causes of sore throats. The problem is, of course, that it can be difficult to determine whether your condition is one of those related to a cold that will go away on its own after a few days or requires more serious treatment.

When is it time to go see a doctor?

The usual cold, the flu, allergies, or even a minor physical trauma could be to blame for the sore throat. Aside from more serious conditions like HIV or malignancies, it could also be brought on by mono, measles, chicken pox, COVID-19, or croup.

Urgent attention is not necessary for pain, painful or swollen glands in the neck or jaw, red tonsils, or a husky voice on their own, however, these are:

• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Unusual drooling (which can indicate an inability to swallow, especially in kids)
• A sore throat lasting longer than a week
• Difficulty opening your mouth
• Joint pain
• Earache
• Rash
• Fever above 38 degrees Celsius
• Blood in your saliva or phlegm
• Frequently recurring sore throats
• A lump in your neck
• Hoarseness that lasts more than two weeks
• Facial or neck swelling

Visit a doctor if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above.

How long does a sore throat last?

The majority of sore throats go away on their own in three to ten days, but once that time has passed, pay close attention to your other symptoms. Visit your doctor if it lasts longer than that.

In contrast to sore throats, which are so frequent that you might not start keeping track of how many days you’ve had one when you get one, fevers and joint pain will be obvious to spot if they occur. You should because knowing how long a sore throat lasts assist you (or at least your doctor) determine what’s causing it.