How long do scratchy throats last

Your doctor may advise you to take antibiotics if you have strep throat, which is caused by bacteria. Antibiotics will only work if your sore throat is caused by bacteria. These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers.

They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. I was sick a lot as a kid, and I was always taking medicine. Maybe it helped at the time. But in the past few years, when I've gotten a bad sore throat or sinus infection, antibiotics haven't worked. I've had to try two or three different ones each time. That gets expensive. The next time I get a sore throat, I'm going to try just staying home, resting, and taking care of myself instead of taking antibiotics. My 8-year-old daughter got strep throat last month.

I thought it was just a cold, and I kept her home from school for a few days. But she wasn't getting better and she felt so miserable. I was also worried about ear infections. She gets a lot of those too. The doctor did a strep test and suggested she take antibiotics.

Amy started feeling better a few days later. I think antibiotics were the right way to go this time. My insurance doesn't pay for all of my medicines, so I try to make sure I really need the ones I do take. The last time I had a bad cold, my throat got really sore. The pain made it hard for me to swallow. I called my doctor's office and the nurse said I could come in if I felt I needed a prescription.

I thought I'd wait and see instead. I took ibuprofen and drank a lot of tea and honey, and in a few days I felt better. I'm glad I didn't spend the money on a doctor visit and medicine.

I'm pretty healthy most of the time, but this past winter I got sick. I was down for 3 or 4 days. It turns out I had an infection in my throat and tonsils. The doctor thought I should take antibiotics because of my age and health.

And I wanted to get over it as soon as possible so I could go back to my volunteer job at the local hospital. I think the medicine helped me get back on my feet just a little sooner than if I hadn't taken it. Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts.

Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. I want to take medicine even if there's only a chance it will help me get well faster. I'm worried about my sore throat turning into an ear infection or sinus infection. I'm not worried about my sore throat turning into an ear infection or sinus infection. I've had a sore throat for more than a week, and it's not getting better.

Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision.

Show which way you are leaning right now. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.

I may not want to take medicine if it won't help me get well faster. Do antibiotics work if a sore throat is caused by a virus, such as a cold?

Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Author: Healthwise Staff. How does strep throat occur? What are the symptoms of strep throat? Other symptoms of a strep infection may include: Chills Headaches Fatigue Swollen, tender lymph nodes glands in the neck Loss of appetite. How is strep throat diagnosed? How is strep throat treated? How long will the effects of strep throat last?

How can I take care of myself? Follow the full treatment prescribed by your health-care provider. For a sore throat: Make sure you have enough fluids. Drink clear soup, cold drinks, and other clear, nutritious liquids. When you are able to eat more foods, choose healthy food to give you strength and to help fight the infection.

Do not smoke. Do not breathe second-hand smoke. Gargle with salt water. You can make a saltwater solution by adding a half teaspoon of salt to eight ounces of warm water. Suck on lozenges or hard candy. Rest your voice. Use a cool mist humidifier or vaporizer to add moisture to the air. Put warm compresses on your neck. When should I see a health-care provider? How can I help prevent spreading strep throat or a viral throat infection? The following suggestions may help you prevent the spread of your strep infection to others: Avoid close contact with other people until you have been taking the antibiotic for 24 hours so they will not be exposed to the strep bacteria.

Very occasionally they can be caused by bacteria. Page last reviewed: 05 February Next review due: 05 February Sore throat. How to treat a sore throat yourself To help soothe a sore throat and shorten how long it lasts, you can: gargle with warm, salty water children should not try this drink plenty of water eat cool or soft foods avoid smoking or smoky places suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets — but do not give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking rest How to gargle with salt water Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water warm water helps salt dissolve.

Gargle with the solution, then spit it out do not swallow it. Repeat as often as you like. HIV infection. A sore throat and other flu-like symptoms sometimes appear early after someone is infected with HIV. Also, someone who is HIV-positive might have a chronic or recurring sore throat due to a fungal infection called oral thrush or due to a viral infection called cytomegalovirus CMV , which can be serious in people with compromised immune systems.

Rarely, an infected area of tissue abscess in the throat or swelling of the small cartilage "lid" that covers the windpipe epiglottitis can cause a sore throat. Both can block the airway, creating a medical emergency. The best way to prevent sore throats is to avoid the germs that cause them and practice good hygiene. Follow these tips and teach your child to do the same:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview A sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow.

Throat anatomy Open pop-up dialog box Close. Throat anatomy The throat includes the esophagus, windpipe trachea , voice box larynx , tonsils and epiglottis. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.