A sore throat is easy to brush off at first. But after a few days of painful swallowing, you might start wondering if it’s something more than a cold.
Most sore throats clear up on their own, but certain symptoms can point to an infection or another problem that needs treatment.
“Sore throats are extremely common, especially during cold and flu season,” says Syed Z. Hussain, MD, with Hartford HealthCare Medical Group. “Most aren’t serious, but there are certain symptoms that can tell us someone should be evaluated.”
Here’s when a sore throat is worth getting checked out.
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Your sore throat isn’t getting better
Most sore throats caused by a cold or another virus start to improve within a few days, even if they take a little longer to disappear completely.
But if your throat still hurts just as much after several days or the pain is getting worse, it could be worth checking in with a doctor.
“We expect most viral sore throats to gradually improve,” Dr. Syed says. “When that isn’t happening, we start thinking about whether something else could be causing the symptoms.”
Strep throat, mononucleosis and even allergies can cause throat pain that sticks around.
If your sore throat hasn’t started improving after about a week, it’s time to get it checked out.
> Related: Is It a Cold – Or Something More Serious?
Your have symptoms of strep throat
Strep throat can feel a lot like a regular sore throat, but certain symptoms tend to point to strep.
Watch for:
- Throat pain that comes on suddenly
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes in your neck
- Red, swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches
- Pain when swallowing
A cough, runny nose or hoarse voice, on the other hand, is more common with a viral infection.
“Symptoms can give us an idea of whether strep is possible, but they can’t confirm it,” Dr. Syed says. “That’s where a rapid strep test or throat culture comes in.”
> Related: 3 Popular Cold Remedies That Can Do More Harm Than Good
Swallowing is becoming difficult
Swallowing doesn’t feel great when you have a sore throat. But there’s a difference between swallowing that hurts and struggling to swallow at all.
“If you’re having trouble drinking fluids or swallowing your own saliva, that’s something we want evaluated,” Dr. Syed says. “And any trouble breathing needs immediate medical attention.”
If you’re struggling to drink enough to stay hydrated, it’s worth contacting your doctor. And if you can’t swallow your saliva, are drooling because you can’t swallow or have trouble breathing, seek emergency care right away.
> Related: 5 Home Remedies for Your Cough
You’re developing other symptoms
A sore throat might be the first sign of a cold, but pay attention to what happens over the next few days.
A high or persistent fever, swollen neck or new rash could suggest something more is going on. And if you were starting to feel better but suddenly take a turn for the worse, don’t ignore it.
“The symptoms happening alongside your sore throat can tell us a lot,” Dr. Syed says. “A new symptom or a sudden change can be a sign that we need to take a closer look.”
And although self-diagnosis is tempting, there’s no need to figure out what’s causing your symptoms before calling your doctor.
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Your sore throats keep coming back
If you’ve had several sore throats in the past few months, it might not be a coincidence.
“Recurring sore throats can happen for different reasons, so we want to look for a pattern,” Dr. Syed says. “That may include repeated infections, allergies or something that’s continuing to irritate the throat.”
Acid reflux and postnasal drip can also cause ongoing throat irritation, even when you’re not sick.
Try keeping track of when your sore throats happen, how long they last and any other symptoms you notice. That information can help your doctor narrow down the cause.
> Related: How a Doctor Can Diagnose the Cause of Your Cough
When to see a doctor
You don’t need to inspect your tonsils every morning or try to diagnose yourself based on how your throat looks.
What matters more is how you’re feeling and whether things are improving.
“If you’re improving, that’s usually reassuring,” Dr. Syed says. “If you aren’t, or something about your symptoms is concerning you, that’s when we want to hear from you.”
