Most people have had a sore throat at one time or another. While throat soreness often goes away quickly and with minimal treatment, severe sore throat or a case of strep throat are a different story altogether. If your throat is causing you pain and making you feel sick, a quick diagnosis and treatment plan can get you back to feeling like yourself again.
Sore Throat Diagnosis & Treatment Online or in Person
Feeling the familiar scratch of an oncoming sore throat? Get the care you need in the way that’s most convenient for you. We offer diagnosis and treatment for sore throats through both in-person visits and video visits.
On-Demand Urgent Care Video Visits
Start a visit now and speak with a medical professional in minutes.
- Open 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Treats patients 5 years and older
- Accepts insurance and self-pay
Urgent Care Walk-In Services
Meet face-to-face with a board-certified physician near you.
- Open 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
- Treats patients 6 months and older
- On-site diagnostic testing & vaccinations
What is a sore throat?
A sore throat is exactly what it sounds like! Sore throat, also called pharyngitis, causes some type of pain or discomfort in the back of the throat, called the pharynx. A sore throat may be felt in many different ways, including irritation, scratchiness, or a burning sensation. It may be most painful when you need to swallow.
What are the symptoms of a sore throat?
Throat soreness is the most common symptom of a sore throat, but it may be accompanied by other symptoms, including:
- Body aches
- Dry cough
- Fever
- Headache
- Red, swollen tonsils
- Skin rash
- Swollen glands in the neck
- White spots on the throat or tonsils
Children may also experience nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain with a sore throat.
What causes a sore throat?
Sore throats are most often caused by a viral infection, such as the common cold, the flu, or COVID-19. In fact, up to 90 percent of sore throats are caused by a virus.
Other causes of a sore throat can include:
- Acid reflux
- Allergies
- Bacterial infection, including strep throat
- Mouth breathing, where you breathe through your mouth instead of your nose while sleeping
- Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
- Throat overuse
- Tonsillitis
Determining the cause of your sore throat is the first step toward effectively treating it. Since most sore throats are related to a virus, treatment will include medications and at-home care to soothe the discomfort. An antiviral may be prescribed to shorten the duration and intensity of the underlying virus.
If a rapid strep test shows that you have strep throat, you may be prescribed an antibiotic to rid the body of the strep bacteria responsible for the infection. It’s important to take the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if you’re feeling better after a day or two.
When should I seek care for a sore throat?
If you believe your sore throat is related to seasonal allergies or an irritant of some type, you may be able to soothe it at home by drinking warm liquids, sucking on a lozenge or popsicle, and taking over-the-counter pain medications or anti-inflammatories. If you’re experiencing a sore throat along with other symptoms, like those outlined above, have your symptoms checked out by a medical provider.
In some cases, untreated bacterial infections, such as strep throat, can lead to serious complications. Get a quick diagnosis and treatment plan at NGPG Urgent Care to get you back to your best.