Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Remedies For Sore Throat
Question: Hey dr,
Recently 2 other people in my family have had colds the past couple of days. Now yesterday I started getting a sore throat but now today when I woke up the sore throat is much more painful especially when swallowing which is quite difficult. Could this be the start of a cold or possibly something more severe than a cold? Usually with previous colds my sore throat didn't hurt as much. The only other symptons I have is a slight blocked nose. Also what can I do or take to relieve the pain of a sore throat?
Kind Regards,
XXXX
Recently 2 other people in my family have had colds the past couple of days. Now yesterday I started getting a sore throat but now today when I woke up the sore throat is much more painful especially when swallowing which is quite difficult. Could this be the start of a cold or possibly something more severe than a cold? Usually with previous colds my sore throat didn't hurt as much. The only other symptons I have is a slight blocked nose. Also what can I do or take to relieve the pain of a sore throat?
Kind Regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Recommendations
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
It is hard to know at this point if this is a cold or something else. But I'll share the following points:
If you have been around 2 other people who have a cold, there is increased likelihood that you have the same virus as they have.
Strep throat can cause a very painful throat, but usually there is a fever and swollen tender neck lymph glands too.
Epstein Barr, which is the virus that can cause Mono, is common in your age and can cause a very badly sore throat.
If you are not starting to get better, or if you also develop a fever, or if the throat continues to be very painful, I recommend you go to a doctor or a clinic where they can have a look and swab your throat. The swab can be used to run 2 quick tests in the office - one for rapid strep test, and one for mono. There is also a mono blood test.
Treatment of strep throat is an antibiotic. While I am opposed to using antibiotics excessively, for strep it is important to use to prevent complications.
If it is mono, rest and fluids are the thing, because an antibiotic won't help - it is caused by a virus. Severely swollen throats sometimes require steroid medication and if you can't swallow at all, an IV briefly until the swelling is better.
So what to do right now:
Some find relief from mixing salt with water and gargling with it (but don't swallow). The salt draws water out of swollen tissues in the throat, making it less inflamed.
Sipping hot liquids such as soup broth, or teas, can help soothe your throat.
The drug store (I think you say Chemist in Australia?) will have pain reducing sprays and lozenges you can try.
I hope this information helps.
Recommendations
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
It is hard to know at this point if this is a cold or something else. But I'll share the following points:
If you have been around 2 other people who have a cold, there is increased likelihood that you have the same virus as they have.
Strep throat can cause a very painful throat, but usually there is a fever and swollen tender neck lymph glands too.
Epstein Barr, which is the virus that can cause Mono, is common in your age and can cause a very badly sore throat.
If you are not starting to get better, or if you also develop a fever, or if the throat continues to be very painful, I recommend you go to a doctor or a clinic where they can have a look and swab your throat. The swab can be used to run 2 quick tests in the office - one for rapid strep test, and one for mono. There is also a mono blood test.
Treatment of strep throat is an antibiotic. While I am opposed to using antibiotics excessively, for strep it is important to use to prevent complications.
If it is mono, rest and fluids are the thing, because an antibiotic won't help - it is caused by a virus. Severely swollen throats sometimes require steroid medication and if you can't swallow at all, an IV briefly until the swelling is better.
So what to do right now:
Some find relief from mixing salt with water and gargling with it (but don't swallow). The salt draws water out of swollen tissues in the throat, making it less inflamed.
Sipping hot liquids such as soup broth, or teas, can help soothe your throat.
The drug store (I think you say Chemist in Australia?) will have pain reducing sprays and lozenges you can try.
I hope this information helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hey dr,
Thanks for the quick and very detailed reply it's much appreciated! A couple of things I forgot to mention is that I was also sick with cold just 3 weeks ago now quite similar but with not much of a sore throat. Is that unusual to catch a cold twice in the same month or could that be linked to something bigger? Also you spoke of Mono is that the same thing as glandular fever? I think I have had it 2 years ago when I was 17 after someone else drunk out of my water bottle and the sore throat was very painful from that and lasted quite a while but I was put on antibiotics so i'm not sure if it can come up again in the future? And yes we call them Chemist's in Australia ahah!
Kind Regards,
XXXX
Thanks for the quick and very detailed reply it's much appreciated! A couple of things I forgot to mention is that I was also sick with cold just 3 weeks ago now quite similar but with not much of a sore throat. Is that unusual to catch a cold twice in the same month or could that be linked to something bigger? Also you spoke of Mono is that the same thing as glandular fever? I think I have had it 2 years ago when I was 17 after someone else drunk out of my water bottle and the sore throat was very painful from that and lasted quite a while but I was put on antibiotics so i'm not sure if it can come up again in the future? And yes we call them Chemist's in Australia ahah!
Kind Regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Glandular fever is Mono
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Yes, Glandular Fever is another name for Mono (caused by Epstein Barr virus).
Since you had Glandular Fever already, it is unlikely that you are having recurrence of it now.
Having an upper respiratory infection 3 weeks apart can happen. Either you are a bit run down, or these viruses are ones your body hasn't been exposed to and are quite capable of causing infection. But I wouldn't worry at this point that there is something more ominous going on. Many people get several colds in quick succession. There are many strains of cold viruses circulating in the community at any given time.
If the sore throat is severe and not showing signs of improving, or if there are fevers and swollen glands, then do go in for a strep throat swab. But I hope you start feeling better soon!
Glandular fever is Mono
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Yes, Glandular Fever is another name for Mono (caused by Epstein Barr virus).
Since you had Glandular Fever already, it is unlikely that you are having recurrence of it now.
Having an upper respiratory infection 3 weeks apart can happen. Either you are a bit run down, or these viruses are ones your body hasn't been exposed to and are quite capable of causing infection. But I wouldn't worry at this point that there is something more ominous going on. Many people get several colds in quick succession. There are many strains of cold viruses circulating in the community at any given time.
If the sore throat is severe and not showing signs of improving, or if there are fevers and swollen glands, then do go in for a strep throat swab. But I hope you start feeling better soon!
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
