Sore Throat (Pharyngitis) - Michigan Medicine
Sore Throat (Pharyngitis)
What is a sore throat?
Sore throats range from a mere scratch to pain so severe that even swallowing saliva hurts. They can be caused by heavy cigarette smoking and infections of the throat, tonsils, or nasal passages from a virus, fungus, or bacteria such as streptococcus, the one that causes strep throat. If an infection is the cause, your doctor may take a throat culture. If streptococcus or any other type of bacteria is the culprit, he or she will prescribe an antibiotic. Be sure you take all of the antibiotic. If strep throat is left untreated, serious complications, including rheumatic heart disease or abscesses, could arise. An antifungal medicine is used to treat a fungal infection.
What is the treatment?
Viral sore throats may last 3-10 days. Antibiotics will not help cure this type of sore throat and may even cause unwanted side effects.
Strep throat symptoms may develop 2 to 5 days after exposure. Strep throat usually lasts 3-7 days. Treating a strep throat with antibiotics decreases the length of the illness by one or two days and can prevent rare complications. You are no longer contagious and can return to work or school after taking antibiotics for 24 hours.
How can I take care of myself?
? Gargle every few hours with a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of salt dissolved in 1/2 cup of warm water.
Michigan Medicine Clinical Care Guidelines (734) 936-4000
- 1 -
? Drink plenty of warm beverages, such as tea with lemon (with or without honey) and soup.
? For strep throat, eat and drink cold foods and liquids such as frozen yogurt, popsicles, and ice water.
? If you get a sore throat often consider adding an electronic air filter and humidifier to your furnace system.
? Don't smoke. ? Avoid eating spicy or acidic foods. ? Suck on a piece of hard candy or medicated lozenge every so often. (Do
not give to children under age 5.) ? Take an over-the-counter medicine for the pain and/or fever. ? Do not get in close contact with anyone you know who has a sore throat.
Disclaimer: This document contains information and/or instructional materials developed by Michigan Medicine for the typical patient with your condition. It may include links to online content that was not created by Michigan Medicine and for which Michigan Medicine does not
assume responsibility. It does not replace medical advice from your health care provider because your experience may differ from that of the typical patient. Talk to your health care provider if you have any questions about this document, your condition or your treatment
plan. Patient Education Handout associated with UMHS Clinical Care Guideline Patient Education by Michigan Medicine is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Last Revised 02/2017
Michigan Medicine Clinical Care Guidelines Sore Throat (Pharyngitis)
- 2 -
................
................
In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.
To fulfill the demand for quickly locating and searching documents.
It is intelligent file search solution for home and business.
Related download
- strep fact sheet updated pennsylvania department of health
- eating tips for sore mouth and throat
- nutrition tips for managing sore mouth throat and tongue
- northwestern medicine sore throat causes cures
- carrot poultice treats sore throats
- nutrition tips for sore mouth and throat stanford health care
- new zealand data sheet medsafe
- common issues we can address by participating in throat chakra healings
- sore throat pharyngitis michigan medicine
- dr christopher pain palliatives lady of herbs
Related searches
- best sore throat medication
- best otc sore throat medicine
- tea for sore throat and cough
- best medicine for sore throat and cough
- home remedy for sore throat and cough
- how to cure a sore throat overnight
- sore throat swollen glands no fever
- natural sore throat remedies
- icd 10 code for sore throat unspecified
- icd 10 sore throat unspecified
- viral sore throat icd 10
- sore throat icd code