A sore throat is a scratchy or burning feeling in the back of your throat. It may hurt to swallow or talk. Most sore throats happen because of a viral infection, like the common cold or flu. Sore throat symptoms typically go away in a few days, but if they linger on, it can be a cause for concern. If you have a sore throat that just won’t go away, you should seek medical care for diagnostic testing. Finding out the source of your sore throat is the fastest way to treat it. AFC Urgent Care Perth Amboy offers same-day illness diagnosis and treatment for patients near Perth Amboy, NJ.
Causes of Sore Throat
Sore throats can occur due to a variety of different reasons. This can include a variety of environmental factors, exposure to dry air, overusing your voice, and illnesses. Due to this, it can be difficult to self-diagnose your sore throat. If your sore throat is caused by environmental irritants, your sore throat may linger on and off for weeks. In order to get the proper treatment for your sore throat, you should seek medical care for diagnostic testing by a board-certified physician. Below are common causes of sore throats.
Bacterial Infections: A sore throat can be caused by bacterial infections such as sinus infections and strep throat. If your sore throat has lasted longer than a week or is severe and affecting your ability to eat, drink, and swallow, you likely have a bacterial infection.
Allergies: Some people can have allergic reactions to dust mites, pets, pollen, or mold that makes their throats dry and scratchy. Continued exposure to allergens can cause a lingering sore throat. If your sore throat is recurring and mild, you may be suffering from allergies.
Tonsillitis: Your tonsils are the two small lumps of soft tissue at the back of your throat. They trap the germs that make you sick. Tonsillitis occurs when your tonsils become infected and inflamed. This usually happens due to an infection and requires medical care to resolve. If your tonsils look inflamed, you could have tonsillitis.
Dry Air: In the wintertime, the air gets dry and cold. This can irritate your throat and lungs and cause coughing and a sore throat. If your sore throat is worse in the morning, it could be caused by your heater. Mouth breathing while you sleep can also dry out your throat.
Differences Between Strep Throat and Sore Throat
A cold-related sore throat is commonly confused with strep throat, which is a more serious infection. A sore throat is a viral infection that will commonly go away as cold symptoms lessen. If you have a sore throat but no cough, it is more likely that you have a strep throat infection.
A strep throat infection in the throat and tonsils that is caused by bacteria called Group A Streptococcus. It is accompanied by symptoms like a sudden sore throat, red tonsils with white spots on them, fever, loss of appetite, headache, abdominal pain, swollen neck glands, and pain when swallowing.
A rapid strep test is required to determine if you have strep throat or not. Your medical provider will examine your mouth to check for red, swollen areas or other signs of infection. They may take a cotton swab and brush it against the back of your throat to get a sample for the test. The rapid test kit will tell if Strep bacteria is present.
How to Cure a Sore Throat
Identifying the cause of your sore throat is the easiest way to understand why your sore throat won’t go away. Sore throats can be caused by a variety of different illnesses and environmental factors and each case is treated differently. If you are experiencing a sore throat, there are some steps you can take at home to manage your symptoms.
The best way to cure strep throat at home is to take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. You can also gargle saltwater, sip warm liquids like broth or tea with honey, and use a humidifier to keep your throat from drying out. Other remedies for sore throats include resting and avoiding irritants like smoking, spicy foods, and very hot liquids. Sucking on popsicles may also help relieve sore throat pain.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Perth Amboy For Same-Day Illness Care With No Appointment Needed
If you have a sore throat, it is important to identify what exactly is causing your symptoms so that you can effectively treat them. AFC Urgent Care Perth Amboy offers walk-in illness diagnosis and treatment for patients in Perth Amboy, NJ, and the surrounding communities. Walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you, or schedule an appointment online.
Our medical providers are board-certified and trained to diagnose and treat a variety of common illnesses and symptoms, including sore throats. Using our on-site laboratory, we can perform rapid diagnostic testing to understand exactly what is causing your symptoms and treat them accordingly. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable care options for patients who are paying directly for their care. Our wait times are short so that you can get the care that you need exactly when you need it. Walk in today, or contact us directly to learn more by calling (732) 896-9962.
