Sore Throat Patient Information Leaflet
What is a sore throat?
Sore throat, also known as pharyngitis, is a very common health issue. It is usually caused by an infection in the throat. While soreness or a scratchy throat may be the only symptom, some people also experience:
- A fever (high temperature)
- Hoarse voice
- Tiredness /fatigue
- A mild cough
- A runny nose/congestion
- A mild headache
- enlarged/swollen glands in the neck area
- Pain when swallowing
- Nausea (sick feeling)
What causes a sore throat?
- In most cases, a sore throat is caused by an infection.
- In around 90% of cases, this is a viral infection.
- In a minority of cases, the infection is caused by bacteria (usually, Group A Streptococcus).
Viruses that cause sore throat include- common cold viruses, Covid-19, influenza, EBV (also known as glandular fever or “infectious mononucleosis” or “mono”), croup, measles and chickenpox.
Bacterial infection is usually caused by Group A Streptococcus, also known as “strep throat”.
Less commonly throat irritation or pain can be caused by other issues, such as:
- allergies
- irritants (e.g. smoking, pollution, alcohol)
- dry throat (for example, due to chronic mouth-breathing/blocked nose)
- acid reflux (GORD)
- muscle injury.
A person who has a sore throat that is not getting better after a week should seek medical advice.
Will a sore throat get better by itself?
Most sore throats get better by themselves within 4-7 days, without antibiotic treatment.
However, some sore throats caused by bacterial infections may require antibiotic treatment. If a sore throat is severe or lasts more than 7 days, you should see a doctor.
Who should take an antibiotic for a sore throat?
An antibiotic may be advised by a doctor if a person has signs of bacterial infection or if they have a higher risk of complications due to other underlying factors. A doctor can help to decide if you are at higher risk.
What are the signs that a sore throat may be more serious?
Symptoms that may suggest more serious illness include:
- Being unable to open your mouth/jaws fully
- Being unable to swallow fluids/your own saliva (spit) due to throat pain/swelling
- Shortness of breath or having noisy/constricted breathing
- Being unable to lie flat
- Chest pain
- Reduced urine output
- Frothy or dark urine
- Presence of blood in your urine
- Earache
- Bad facial pain
- Bad headache
- Joint pain
- Significant neck stiffness
- A new skin rash
- Feeling dizzy/drowsy/confused
If a person has any of these symptoms they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Who has a higher risk of complications from a sore throat?
We know that certain people may be at risk of developing more severe infection or complications. This includes people who have:
- heart failure
- poorly controlled Type 1 or 2 Diabetes
- a chronic lung disease
- A chronic liver disease
- A neuromuscular disorder
- chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- Any condition or treatment that weakens your immune system
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people are also at higher risk of developing severe illness or complications from sore throat.
Individuals who have higher risk for any of the above reasons should seek medical advice if they develop a sore throat, as antibiotic treatment is more likely to be needed, and closer monitoring of their condition may be required.
How can I avoid getting sore throats?
As with many infections, it is impossible to completely remove the risk of getting or spreading a sore throat. However, the following steps may help:
- avoid touching your face
- wash your hands regularly, or use hand sanitizer when that is not possible
- avoid sharing utensils, cups, glasses etc
- if you need to sneeze or cough, do so into a tissue, then throw it away (or sneeze into your elbow).
- where possible, avoid contact with people who have viral symptoms
- clean/disinfect items that are used by many people in shared spaces, such as light switches, phones, keyboards etc.
If you are getting frequent sore throats (for example, one every few weeks), it may be a sign you have a weakened immune system- you should speak to a doctor about this.
Diagnosis of sore throat
Diagnosis of sore throat can generally be made by a doctor asking you specific questions. Sometimes a physical examination or investigations (such as a throat swab or blood tests) may be required.
Treatment for sore throat
A sore throat caused by a viral infection usually lasts 4-7 days and doesn’t usually require medical treatment. Antibiotics don’t help viral infections.
To ease pain and fever, many people use Paracetamol or other over the counter painkillers. Aspirin is NOT safe for children or teenagers as it can cause serious liver inflammation (Reye’s Syndrome)
If a sore throat is thought to be caused by a bacterial infection, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic. The full course should be taken (even if you start to feel better), to avoid the infection getting worse, coming back or causing complications.
If a sore throat is caused by a condition other than a viral or bacterial infection, the type of treatment will depend on the diagnosis.
Additional resources:
Decision Making Guide for patients
To understand more about the pros and cons of taking antibiotics for a sore throat, this is a useful patient guide:
