A sore throat is a common symptom that can occur due to a variety of conditions including viral infections, bacterial infections, allergies, or environmental irritants like smoke or dry air. The duration of a sore throat typically depends on its underlying cause. In most cases, a sore throat caused by a viral infection, such as the common cold, lasts about 3 to 7 days and improves on its own. However, bacterial infections like strep throat may persist longer without treatment and require antibiotics for recovery. If you have a sore throat that is severe or just won’t go away, AFC Farmington can help. Our walk-in urgent care clinic is open 7 days a week, including weekends, and accepts walk-in patients. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for same-day sore throat diagnosis and treatment.
Sore Throat Diagnosis
Diagnosing a sore throat typically involves a combination of a physical examination, a medical history review, and diagnostic testing. During the examination, a healthcare provider will check for signs like redness and swelling in your throat. They also will check for signs of an infection like white patches, pus on the tonsils, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. These symptoms could all suggest that there is an infection present.
If a bacterial infection such as strep throat is suspected, a rapid strep test or throat culture may be performed by swabbing the throat to check for the presence of bacteria. For viral causes, testing is usually unnecessary, as these infections are much less severe and often resolve on their own within a few days.
How Long Will My Throat Last?
If you’re feeling sick and experiencing a sore throat, you may be wondering how long your symptoms will take to heal. Sore throats can be painful and affect your ability to eat or drink comfortably due to swelling and irritation in the throat. Sore throats caused by viral infections such as colds will typically resolve within a few days without treatment. Sore throats can be very short-lasting, depending on what is causing your symptoms. It is important to seek medical care if you have a sore throat so that you can treat it effectively. Sore throats caused by more severe infections like bacterial infections often last for over a week without proper treatment. However, using medications to clear up the infection can help reduce how long your symptoms last.
Treating a Sore Throat
The treatment for a sore throat depends on its cause. If there is a bacterial infection present, treatment usually includes prescription antibiotics to help clear up the infection. Without treatment, sore throats caused by a bacterial infection can last over a week and cause severe symptoms. Most sore throats caused by viruses, such as colds or the flu cause mild discomfort and resolve on their own within a few days. Treatment for a sore throat focuses on symptom relief, including:
- Rest and hydration
- Over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen or acetaminophen)
- Warm salt water gargles
- Throat lozenges or sprays for soothing discomfort
Walk Into AFC Urgent Care Farmington for Same-Day Sore Throat Treatment
If you’re suffering from a sore throat, it is important to seek medical care. Sore throats can be caused by a variety of different conditions, however, bacterial infections often require medical treatment to manage. At AFC Urgent Care Farmington, we offer patients near Farmington, NM with rapid same-day care for common illnesses like sore throats. Simply walk into the clinic, we’re open 7 days a week including weekends and accept most medical insurance plans.
