When to Go to the ER for a Sore Throat
A sore throat, also known as pharyngitis, is a painful inflammation of the back part of the throat. Pharyngitis can involve the following parts of the throat:
- The back third of the tongue
- The soft palate (roof of the mouth)
- The tonsils (fleshy tissue that are part of the throat’s immune defenses)
Causes of a Sore Throat
Viruses and bacteria are the most common causes of sore throat.
Viral infections such as the common cold, influenza, or mononucleosis are the most common cause of a sore throat. Infections of this type do not respond to antibiotics, and is only necessary to help relieve symptoms.
Less commonly, sore throats may be caused by a bacterial infection such as streptococcus and unlike viral infections, bacterial infections do require antibiotics.
Symptoms of a Sore Throat
The main symptom of pharyngitis include the following:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Body aches and generally feeling unwell
- Fever
- Dry cough
- Hoarseness
- Redness of the eyes
- If the cause is a virus, children may have diarrhea. Some viruses cause painful sores in and around the mouth, including the lips.
- If the cause is bacterial, you may notice swollen glands in the front of the neck and enlarged tonsils with white spots. Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain may also be present.
It can be difficult to differentiate between viral and bacterial pharyngitis because they share many symptoms and may look similar on a physical exam by your doctor.
Diagnosis
After reviewing your symptoms, the doctor will ask if there is a possiblity of exposure to someone with strep throat or any other infection involving the throat, nose or ears. Your doctor will examine you, paying particular attention to your mouth, throat, nose, ears and the lymph nodes in your neck. If your doctor is certain you have strep throat, he or she may prescribe antibiotics without further testing. If there is any uncertainty, the doctor may want to do a strep test.
A rapid strep test may be done in your doctor’s office, takes only a few minutes to do and detects 80% to 90% of all cases of strep throat. If this quick test is negative, but your doctor still believes you might have strep, your doctor will take a sample of your throat fluids for more intensive testing in a laboratory. Results will be available in 24 to 48 hours.
Emergency in Houston?
Life Savers 24 Hour Emergency Room is equipped to handle life threatening conditions quickly. Your emergency or concern is our priority! Life Savers 24 Hour Emergency Room is your Houston ER for immediate definite care. Do not hesitate to call us today or stop by one of our houston emergency room locations: Willowbrook ER, Heights ER, or Summerwood ER.
Life Savers 24 Hour Emergency Room is equipped to handle life threatening conditions quickly. Your emergency or concern is our priority! Life Savers 24 Hour Emergency Room is your Houston ER for immediate definite care. Do not hesitate to call us today or stop by one of our houston emergency room locations: Willowbrook ER, Heights ER, or Summerwood ER.
