How long is it normal to have a sore throat

Your provider will rub a cotton swab against a tonsil in the back of your throat to get a sample of bacteria. The sample will be tested in the lab.

The results will be available in a few minutes if the rapid antibody test is done, or in one to two days if the overnight culture test is used. If your health-care provider suspects you have strep, he or she may prescribe an antibiotic before you have all the results from the lab tests.

This medicine may be taken as pills or given as a shot. It is very important to take all of the prescribed medicine, even after the symptoms have gone away, to prevent the infection from coming back. Strep needs to be treated so you can prevent the serious problems it might cause, such as heart and kidney disease.

The symptoms of strep throat may go away as soon as 24 hours after you start treatment. The symptoms rarely last longer than five days. Not getting treatment for strep throat or not taking all the medicine prescribed can lead to rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can damage the heart valves and affect your joints, kidneys and brain.

If you have a fever, rest and limit your activities until the fever is gone. You can take acetaminophen, or ibuprofen, to reduce your fever and to relieve pain. If you have a sore throat and are unable to swallow liquids, you need to be seen as soon as possible. If you have been exposed to someone with strep throat who has not completed their antibiotics and is considered contagious, and now have symptoms, you should see a provider within two days.

If you have a sore throat and have not been exposed to strep throat, see your provider if your symptoms have not improved after seven days of home care. Home » Your Health » Sore throat vs. Strep throat. Sore throat vs. Strep throat Which one do you have, and what should you do about it? How does a sore throat occur? Sore throats can also be caused by: Hay fever Cigarette smoking or second-hand smoke Breathing heavily polluted air or chemical fumes Swallowing sharp foods that hurt the lining of the throat, such as a tortilla chip Dry air Heartburn gastric reflux What are the symptoms of a sore throat?

A sore throat means that your throat hurts and is irritated, swollen, or scratchy. It usually hurts worse when you swallow. Depending on the cause of your sore throat, symptoms include:. Most sore throats are caused by viruses, such as the cold or flu virus. Some of the more serious causes of sore throat include tonsillitis , strep throat , and mononucleosis mono. Other causes include smoking, mouth breathing at night while you sleep, pollution, and allergies to pets, pollens and molds.

General anesthesia during surgery can cause a sore throat. Your doctor will do a physical exam. They will look at the back of your throat. Your doctor may swab the back of your throat. This is called a throat culture.

It is done to collect a sample of bacteria. This also is used in a rapid strep test. This is a quick test to diagnose strep throat. The results of a throat culture takes between 24 and 48 hours. If your doctor thinks you may have mono, they will probably do a blood test. The best way to avoid a sore throat is to avoid getting sick. Avoid catching or spreading the viruses and bacteria that cause a sore throat.

Wash your hands regularly. Avoid touching your eyes or mouth. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. If your sore throat is cause by the flu, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medicine.

Corticosteroids is able to help reduce the associated swelling, inflammation, and discomfort. It is far less common for a bacterial infection to cause a sore compared to viruses. When a bacterial infection does occur, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotics penicillin or amoxicillin. Antibiotics can help to shorten how long a sore throat lasts. They pain and inflammation may be reduced to just a day or two after you begin taking the antibiotic.

When not taking antibiotics, bacterial infections and the sore throats they cause may last anywhere from 7 to 10 days. In some cases, a sore throat from a bacterial infection may be due to a more serious illness. Be sure to follow up with your doctor if you have a sore throat lasting longer than 10 days. Strep throat is from the bacteria Streptococcus group A streptococcus.

Treatment from a doctor and antibiotics are often required in order to treat strep throat. Once the antibiotics are started, the symptoms from strep throat should quickly be eliminated.

Merck Manual Professional Version. Seven tips to help you prevent a sore throat. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drutz, JE. Sore throat in children and adolescents: Symptomatic treatment. Stead W. Symptomatic treatment of acute pharyngitis in adults. Slippery Elm. Natural Medicines. Taking care of your voice. Chow AW, et al. Evaluation of acute pharyngitis in adults. Kellerman RD, et al.

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