Sore Throat

While a sore throat isn’t always a cause for concern, it can make you feel uncomfortable or indicate a medical problem requiring prompt treatment. InFocus Urgent Care in Ewing Township, West Windsor, New Brunswick, and Edison, New Jersey, can diagnose the underlying cause and offer treatments to ease unpleasant symptoms. To get evaluated for a sore throat and find relief, call the nearest office, book an appointment online, or walk in today.

What can cause a sore throat?

Several causes can contribute to a dry, sore, red, or tender throat. Sometimes a sore throat develops because you’re thirsty or you’ve strained your voice by screaming at a sports game or concert. In other cases, a sore throat indicates an illness. 

Sore throat might be associated with:

• Flu
• COVID-19
• Strep throat
• Mononucleosis (mono)
• Acid reflux
• Allergies
• Whooping cough
• The common cold

These conditions can all cause a sore, dry, scratchy throat from time to time. Streptococcus pyogenes, a bacterial infection, is a common cause of a sore throat that may require medical treatment to help you recover properly. 

Should I visit my doctor because of a sore throat?

Not all sore throats require a doctor’s appointment. You may be able to resolve bothersome symptoms with rest and fluids. However, book a visit to InFocus Urgent Care for a sore throat that accompanies other symptoms, such as:

• Fever
• Rash
• Trouble breathing 
• Difficulty swallowing
• Headaches
• Joint pain
• Swollen tonsils
• Swollen lymph nodes
• White patches on your throat

These symptoms could indicate strep throat or another illness that requires medical intervention. If your sore throat lasts longer than a week or is severe, see the InFocus Urgent Care specialists for an evaluation.

How does my provider diagnose the cause of a sore throat?

InFocus Urgent Care offers on-site rapid antigen testing to determine if you have strep throat. Your provider performs a physical examination and reviews your symptoms and medical history, before taking a swab of your throat if needed. 

They test the throat swab for the flu or bacteria that causes strep throat. If the test is positive, your urgent care specialist determines the most appropriate course of treatment.

How are sore throats treated?

If you have a sore throat because of a viral infection, rest, fluids, and symptom management are your best options. The infection should go away within about a week. InFocus Urgent Care might recommend over-the-counter medicines to ease some of your symptoms. 

If you have strep throat, the most common treatment is usually prescription medications (antibiotics). It’s important to take the antibiotics exactly as directed by your InFocus Urgent Care provider. You should feel better within a few days. Antibiotics also help prevent you from spreading strep throat to other people.

If you have a painful or persistent sore throat, call the nearest InFocus Urgent Care office or book an appointment online today. You can also walk in for sore throat treatment.