Frequent Symptoms
The symptoms you have with a sore throat depend on the cause. The throat discomfort itself may take these forms:
Scratchy sensation Pain that is usually worse when you talk or swallow Difficulty swallowing Swollen glands or tonsils Raspy voice; difficulty talking
Respiratory infections or nasal drainage into the back of the throat are the most common causes of a sore throat. With them, you are likely to have one or more of these symptoms along with a sore throat:
Coughing, sneezing, nasal congestion, and nasal drainageFeverAching bodyA headacheNausea or vomiting (in children)
Rare Symptoms
In young children, blood may be seen in nasal discharge or phlegm, if present. Blisters on the throat, hands, and feet may be seen if a child has a sore throat due to Coxsackie virus, leading to its common name of hand, foot, and mouth disease. Most common in the summer and fall, this virus often comes with a higher fever and more difficulty in swallowing; your child may also seem sicker than with a typical cold.
Difficulty breathing or swallowing may signal you are developing epiglottitis or having a more severe allergic reaction. In the case of a sore throat due to allergies, you may have more severe signs of asthma with increased difficulty in breathing. If you are developing anaphylaxis due to an allergic reaction, the throat discomfort may be accompanied by hives, swollen tongue and throat, and low blood pressure, in addition to difficulty breathing.
If your sore throat doesn’t go away and you have any of these signs, you should see your healthcare provider. But remember, laryngeal cancer is rare.
Complications
Some potential complications are due to a sore throat itself, while others are related to causes of a sore throat.
When you have a sore throat, the pain can disrupt your sleeping patterns and worsen sleep apnea. Dehydration is a concern if you have difficulty swallowing and don’t drink enough fluids. If your sore throat continues, you may also have trouble getting adequate nutrition due to pain and difficulty in swallowing.
If a sore throat is due to strep throat, it needs to be treated with a full course of antibiotics.
It is important to take all of the antibiotics and not to stop once you are feeling better. If you think you might have strep throat, you need to see a healthcare provider to have a strep test performed.
Allergies that cause post-nasal drip and a sore throat can lead to other medical problems. You are at more risk of developing asthma, which affects your airways and breathing. You also can be at more risk of developing sinusitis, ear infections, and lung infections.
Epiglottitis, swelling of the cartilage that covers your windpipe, can occur due to infections such as strep throat, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae type B. This can block your airflow, requiring emergency treatment.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
You should contact your healthcare provider if you have a sore throat and were exposed to someone with strep throat. Rapid strep tests can be performed in most healthcare provider’s offices in about five minutes. Throat cultures are more accurate, but they can take up to two days to provide results.
You should also contact your healthcare provider if you have a sore throat and any of the following symptoms:
Difficulty swallowing or sleeping due to painDifficulty breathing or opening your mouthA sore throat lasting longer than a weekWhite patches in the throatFever higher than 101 degreesFever for more than two daysBlood in the saliva or phlegmRashEaracheA cough that produces mucus or a cough that lasts for more than a weekChild with a sore throat and a harsh, barking coughPeeling in the mouth and swollen gums and tongueHoarseness for more than two weeksA sore throat comes back frequently
Talking to your healthcare provider about any concerns is always a good idea.
