Throat
Sore throat
Pain, scratchiness or rawness at the back of the throat that is usually caused by a passing viral infection but can also come from bacterial tonsillitis, glandular fever, acid reflux or, rarely, a deeper infection that obstructs breathing.
Education and reference only. This explains the common causes of sore throat and the warning signs that need urgent help, in plain language — it is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a clinician. If you feel very unwell or are worried, seek medical help.
Quick answer
What is sore throat?
A sore throat is one of the commonest reasons people feel unwell, and the great majority are caused by ordinary viral infections such as colds and flu that settle on their own within a week or so. The throat feels raw, swallowing hurts, and the discomfort is often worse first thing in the morning.
- Get urgent help: Call 999 or go to A&E if you have difficulty breathing, are drooling, or cannot swallow your own saliva — this can mean dangerous swelling at the back of the throat. Seek urgent help for a muffled, 'hot potato' voice with severe one-sided throat pain — this may be a quinsy (an abscess beside the tonsil).
- Self-care: Most sore throats need only simple comfort measures while the body clears the infection.
About sore throat
A sore throat is one of the commonest reasons people feel unwell, and the great majority are caused by ordinary viral infections such as colds and flu that settle on their own within a week or so. The throat feels raw, swallowing hurts, and the discomfort is often worse first thing in the morning. Some sore throats, however, have a specific cause: bacterial tonsillitis produces swollen, sometimes spotty tonsils with fever; glandular fever, common in teenagers and young adults, causes a severe, lingering sore throat with swollen glands and marked tiredness; scarlet fever adds a fine, sandpapery rash; and acid reflux can leave the throat raw and irritated, particularly in the morning. What matters most is spotting the rare but dangerous picture in which swelling at the back of the throat begins to obstruct breathing or swallowing — the signs of a quinsy or other deep-throat infection that needs urgent care.
When to get help
Call 999 or go to A&E if sore throat comes with any of these warning signs:
- Call 999 or go to A&E if you have difficulty breathing, are drooling, or cannot swallow your own saliva — this can mean dangerous swelling at the back of the throat.
- Seek urgent help for a muffled, 'hot potato' voice with severe one-sided throat pain — this may be a quinsy (an abscess beside the tonsil).
- Seek urgent help for a sore throat with a widespread rash or swelling of the face or neck.
- Seek urgent help if you cannot open your mouth fully, as this can signal a deep infection.
- See a doctor promptly for a severe sore throat that lasts more than a week, or that comes with a high fever and feeling very unwell.
When to see a doctor
Most sore throats clear within a week and do not need a doctor. Book an appointment if the soreness lasts longer than about a week, keeps coming back, or comes with a high temperature that does not settle, very swollen glands or marked tiredness that drags on. Anyone with a weakened immune system, or who is taking medicines that affect the immune system, should seek advice early. Treat any difficulty breathing, drooling or inability to swallow saliva as an emergency rather than waiting.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
What can cause it
Common causes of sore throat
Sore throat has many possible causes. Each links to a full, plain-language guide to that condition — what it is, how it's treated and when to seek help.
What helps
Self-care and what you can do
Most sore throats need only simple comfort measures while the body clears the infection. Drink plenty of cool or warm fluids to keep the throat moist, and try soothing options such as warm honey and lemon in water if you are an adult or older child. Gargling with warm salty water can ease the rawness, and sucking on ice or a lozenge helps numb the discomfort. Rest, keep the air from getting too dry, and avoid smoke and other irritants. If reflux is the cause, sitting upright after meals and not eating late at night can reduce the morning soreness. A pharmacist can suggest suitable throat sprays or lozenges if you need them.
Answers
Sore throat: frequently asked questions
How long should a sore throat last?
Most sore throats, especially viral ones, improve within three to seven days and clear within a week. A sore throat that lasts longer than a week, or that is severe with a high fever and swollen glands, should be checked, as it may need treatment.
Do I need antibiotics for a sore throat?
Usually not, because most sore throats are caused by viruses that antibiotics do not help. A clinician decides based on your symptoms and examination whether a bacterial cause such as tonsillitis is likely and whether antibiotics are appropriate.
When is a sore throat an emergency?
Seek emergency help if you have trouble breathing, are drooling or cannot swallow your own saliva, have a muffled voice with severe one-sided pain, or cannot open your mouth fully. These can mean a serious infection blocking the throat.
Could my sore throat be glandular fever?
It is possible, especially in teenagers and young adults, if the sore throat is severe and lasts more than a week with very swollen glands and extreme tiredness. A doctor can assess for this, sometimes with a blood test.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Sore throat - acute.
- Oral Health Foundation: throat and mouth health.
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