Sore throats can be a painful and long-lasting symptom, but is a sore throat cause for concern? Learn about what causes a sore throat, and when you should seek medical care for a sore throat. Visit AFC Urgent Care Hillsdale for same-day illness treatment without the need for an appointment.
Causes of a Sore Throat
Waking up with a sore throat can be an alarming start to your day. Do you suddenly have an illness? Sore throats can occur from a variety of different illnesses and conditions. However, suddenly waking up with a sore throat doesn’t always mean that you’re sick. Sore throats can originate from viral infections, such as a cold, the flu, and mono. However, sore throats can also be a symptom of a bacterial infection such as strep throat.
Getting a proper medical diagnosis is the only way to confirm what the underlying cause of your sore throat is. But, not all sore throats occur due to the presence of an illness. Sometimes, a change in the weather or even sleeping with your mouth open can cause a sore throat for a day. If your symptoms are longer lasting, it is best to seek a medical diagnosis to ensure that you don’t require medical treatment for your symptoms.
Is a Sore Throat Contagious?
Whether a sore throat indicates the presence of a contagious illness depends on what exactly is causing your sore throat. Viral infections, such as a cold or the flu, and certain bacterial infections such as strep throat, are very contagious. They can be spread through direct contact with an infected person, breathing in the same air as an infected person, or touching the same surface as them like a doorknob. Certain viral infections that can cause a sore throat, such as mono, are more difficult to contract as they are spread through direct contact with bodily fluids like saliva.
The best way to ensure that you’re not spreading your illness to others is to self-isolate until the symptoms resolve. Without diagnostic testing by a medical professional, it is impossible to understand what exactly is causing your symptoms which could lead to you spreading your illness to others unknowingly.
When to Seek Medical Attention for a Sore Throat
In most cases, a sore throat is a mild symptom that will resolve on its own over time. However, if your sore throat is severe in nature, persistent, or accompanied by a fever, you should seek medical care for a proper evaluation and diagnosis. In some cases, sore throats can cause swelling of the tonsils which can obstruct the airway. You should seek urgent medical care if you're having trouble breathing due to your sore throat.
If your sore throat is not severe, there are a few options for at-home care to help manage the discomfort while your body recovers.
- Salt water gargles
- Drinking warm liquids
- Drinking honey
- Staying hydrated
- Using a humidifier
- Over-the-counter medications
Staying well rested and hydrated are both essential to help your body recover from illness and help heal your irritated sore throat. Using throat lozenges and over-the-counter throat sprays can help alleviate the discomfort while your body heals. Always follow the dosage instructions on the packaging.
Get Same-Day Illness Diagnosis & Treatment by Visiting AFC Urgent Care Hillsdale
If you’re suffering from a sore throat, the best option to ensure a fast recovery is to seek a medical diagnosis. Understanding what is causing your sore throat can help identify the best treatment options for your specific needs. At AFC Urgent Care Hillsdale, our medical facility is equipped with an on-site laboratory which allows us to perform diagnostic testing during your visit and get the results quickly. For illness diagnosis and treatment available without an appointment, visit AFC Urgent Care Hillsdale.
Our clinic is open seven days a week with extended business hours so that getting quality medical care is easy and accessible. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer low-cost treatment options. Simply walk into our clinic for treatment when it’s convenient for you, or schedule an appointment online. For additional information regarding our clinic, please contact us directly by calling 201-523-9222.
