Is Your Sore Throat Cause for Concern?

There’s no doubt about it: Sore throats are never fun. But it’s more difficult to know whether your sore throat is a minor inconvenience or a sign of something more serious and needs urgent medical attention.    

The medical providers at Urgent Care of Ada, in Ada, Oklahoma, specialize in diagnosing and treating sore throats. Our in-house laboratory allows us to quickly see results from common tests related to sore throats, like swabs or blood samples. 

We also know it can be hard to tell when you should stay home to care for your sore throat and when it’s time for a trip to urgent care. That’s why we created this short guide, highlighting some key facts about sore throats and information about when to contact our team for an evaluation 

What causes a sore throat?

You can get a sore throat for many different reasons, from being dehydrated to having a serious infection, anything that irritates your throat can cause pain. 

Some of the most common causes not related to infection include environmental factors (dry air; smoke; chemicals), dehydration, acid reflux, and allergies. Infections from both viruses and bacteria can also make your throat sore, including common illnesses like:   

• Common cold or flu
• COVID-19
• Chickenpox
• Mononucleosis 
• Croup
• Streptococcus pyogenes (strep)

Regardless of the cause of your sore throat, it may need medical attention to treat the underlying condition. For example, sore throats caused by the postnasal drip may require treatment to address your allergies. 

When is a sore throat cause for concern?

It’s time to be concerned about your sore throat when the pain is severe, you’ve had a sore throat for more than a week, or when your sore throat is accompanied by a fever. In addition, be sure to schedule an appointment at Urgent Care of Ada, or walk into our urgent care clinic if you have a sore throat and any of the following symptoms: 

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Hoarseness or loss of voice
• White patches on your tonsils
• Trouble opening your mouth
• Earache or swelling in your face or neck
• Joint pain or a rash
• Swollen lymph glands
• Sore throat that keeps coming back

In addition, if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 and have a sore throat, schedule a COVID-19 test right away, even if you don’t have any of the other symptoms listed above or of COVID-19. 

How do I get rid of a sore throat?

If you have a mild sore throat, try easing your pain by drinking warm beverages, like hot tea or hot water with lemon and honey. Rest and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, like ibuprofen, can also help. 

When you come into Urgent Care of Ada for treatment for a sore throat, your provider first diagnoses the cause using a physical exam, throat swab, and any other relevant tests. We then create a personalized treatment plan that addresses the underlying cause of your sore throat. This may include antibiotics or other drugs, like allergy medications, based on your unique situation.  

If you’re worried about your sore throat, don’t wait to schedule an appointment over the phone or online at Urgent Care of Ada. You can also walk in at our urgent care clinic for same-day help.