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Viral Sore Throat

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KEY POINTS

  • A viral sore throat is an infection of the throat caused by a virus.
  • A sore throat caused by a virus usually gets better on its own within 5 to 7 days. Your healthcare provider will usually not prescribe antibiotics because antibiotics do not kill viruses.
  • Follow the full course of treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider. Ask your healthcare provider how long it will take to recover, and how to take care of yourself at home.

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What is a viral sore throat?

A viral sore throat is an infection of the throat caused by a virus.

What is the cause?

Many different viruses can cause a sore throat, including:

  • Flu viruses
  • Common cold viruses
  • Coxsackievirus
  • Infectious mononucleosis ("mono") virus

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms will vary slightly depending on the type of virus causing the infection. Symptoms may include:

  • A raw feeling in the throat that makes breathing, swallowing, or speaking painful
  • Redness of the throat
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Fever
  • Hoarseness
  • Tender, swollen glands in your neck
  • Earache (you may feel pain in your ears even though the problem is in your throat)
  • Painful sores on the throat, tongue, or roof of the mouth
  • Swollen tonsils
  • White coating or bumps on the tonsils and throat

Depending on the kind of virus causing your sore throat, you may also have symptoms such as:

  • Feeling unusually tired for longer than 1 week
  • Headache
  • Rash
  • Muscle aches
  • Poor appetite

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine you. Your provider may swab your throat to test for strep infection, which is caused by bacteria. If your provider suspects mononucleosis, a blood test may also be done.

How is it treated?

A sore throat caused by a virus usually gets better on its own within 5 to 7 days. Your healthcare provider will usually not prescribe antibiotics because antibiotics do not kill viruses. Other possible treatment depends on the type of virus causing the infection.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow the full course of treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider. In addition:

  • Take nonprescription medicine, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen to treat pain and fever. Read the label and take as directed. Unless recommended by your healthcare provider, you should not take these medicines for more than 10 days.
    • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, may cause stomach bleeding and other problems. These risks increase with age.
    • Acetaminophen may cause liver damage or other problems. Unless recommended by your provider, don't take more than 3000 milligrams (mg) in 24 hours. To make sure you don’t take too much, check other medicines you take to see if they also contain acetaminophen. Ask your provider if you need to avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.
  • Don’t smoke, and stay away from others who are smoking.
  • Avoid breathing dust and chemical fumes.
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • You may want to rest your throat by talking less and eating a diet that is mostly liquid or soft for a day or two. Avoid salty or spicy foods and citrus fruits. Drink extra fluids, such as water, fruit juice, and tea.
  • Use a humidifier to put more moisture in the air. Avoid steam vaporizers because they can cause burns. Be sure to keep the humidifier clean, as recommended in the manufacturer's instructions. It's important to keep bacteria and mold from growing in the water container.
  • Cough drops may help relieve the soreness.
  • Gargling with warm saltwater and drinking warm liquids may help. (You can make a saltwater solution by adding 1/2 teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces, or 240 mL, of warm water.)

Ask your provider:

  • How and when you will get your test results
  • How long it will take to recover
  • If there are activities you should avoid and when you can return to your normal activities
  • How to take care of yourself at home
  • What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them

Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.

How can I help prevent viral sore throat?

If you are sick, you can help protect others if you:

  • Don’t go to work or school. Avoid contact with other people except to get medical care.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it, and then wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve instead of your hands.
  • Clean your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner, especially after using tissues or coughing or sneezing into your hands.

To lower your risk of getting a viral sore throat:

  • Wash your hands often and especially after using the restroom, coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Also wash your hands before eating or touching your eyes.
  • Stay at least 6 feet away from people who are sick, if you can.
  • Keep surfaces clean--especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children. Some viruses can live for hours on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Wipe them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the label.
  • Take care of your health. Try to get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Eat a healthy diet and try to keep a healthy weight. If you smoke, try to quit. If you want to drink alcohol, ask your healthcare provider how much is safe for you to drink. Learn ways to manage stress. Exercise according to your healthcare provider's instructions.
Developed by RelayHealth.
Adult Advisor 2016.4 published by RelayHealth.
Last modified: 2016-07-28
Last reviewed: 2016-07-28
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2016 RelayHealth, a division of McKesson Technologies Inc. All rights reserved.
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