Is Your Sore Throat Serious?

A sore throat can be extremely painful, of course, but there are some instances where it can be a sign of a very serous problem. Here are some of the common reasons this problem occurs, and signs that you may need to visit your nearest Complete Care facility to have it checked by a doctor.

Sore Throat Causes

There are several reasons why a sore throat may occur. They include smoking, excessive yelling, nasal drainage, a common cold or simply irritation due to low humidity. There are less common causes that will typically necessitate a trip to a doctor, however. These include tonsillitis, mononucleosis and strep throat.

Home Care

If your doctor says that you do not have a serious issue, there are several things you can do at home to help soothe a sore throat. For example, try gargling with warm salt water once or twice an hour. This will help reduce discomfort as well as swelling. Soup, tea and other hot fluids can thin mucus to help with drainage. Decongestants, acetaminophen and ibuprofen can also help.

When to See a Doctor

Most of the time, a sore throat will go away with the help of the home treatments mentioned above. However, if your sore throat is accompanied by a fever of more than 101°F or you have had it for more than one or two days, then you should seriously consider seeing a doctor. Also, if your tonsils or adenoids are swollen and you cannot sleep as a result, or you develop a reddish rash that feels similar to sandpaper, you definitely need medical attention.

Please do not hesitate to get to your nearest Complete Care location to get help for a persistent sore throat, or if you develop any of the complications mentioned above. We will quickly diagnose your issue and provide the treatment you need to get back to normal as quickly as possible.