Sore Throat Symptoms

Sore throat symptoms vary depending on the cause as well as a variety of other factors, including the age and health of the person who is dealing with the ailment.

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of a sore throat include:

Difficulty swallowing
Pain in the throat
Pain that worsens with swallowing
Pain that worsens with talking
Dry throat
Swollen tonsils
Red tonsils
Swollen glands in your jaw or neck
Hoarse voice

When dealing with a sore throat caused by a virus or bacterial infection, there may be a variety of other signs and symptoms. These can include:

Fever
Cough
Chills
Body aches
Runny nose
Sneezing
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache

Do you need to See a Doctor?

Most people realize that they can personally deal with the symptoms associated with a sore throat, but there are times when you may need to see a doctor. You should seek immediate medical attention if any of the following symptoms arise:

Difficultly breathing
A sore throat that lasts more than a week
Difficulty opening your mouth
Earache
Joint pain
Rash
Fever in excess of 101 F
Blood in saliva
Blood in phlegm
A lump in your neck
Hoarseness that lasts more than two weeks

A sore throat that goes away but continually comes back could be a sign of a more serious medical condition. In other words, the sore throat could be a symptom of a bigger issue. Your doctor can run the appropriate tests to determine if this is the case.

Some of these sore throat symptoms are common and can be treated with over the counter medicine and/or home remedies. Others are more serious and should be treated by a medical professional.