Self-Care Pocket Guide • Cold, Allergies, and Such
Sore Throats

Overview

Most sore throats are caused by viruses. In these cases, antibiotics will not be effective in treating your symptoms. However, sore throats can also be caused by bacteria which can be treated with antibiotics. A sore throat may be associated with many illnesses. If you also have symptoms of allergies, a cold, or the flu, read the information under those headings.

Signs and Symptoms

• Throat pain
• Red throat by itself or with blisters or ulcers (red spots)
• Red, swollen tonsils or tonsils covered with white spots/pus (Call the UHS 24-hour Nurse Advice Line.)
• Ear pain
• Body aches
• Tender, swollen glands in your neck
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Nausea/vomiting and/or diarrhea

Self-Care Measures

• Rest as much as possible.
• Drink 8 ounces of water, juice, or sports drinks every waking hour.
• Gargle with a saltwater solution made of 1/2 teaspoon table salt dissolved in 8 ounces of warm water, and/or use OTC throat lozenges.
• Use an OTC analgesic to reduce fever as well as help with throat pain. (Ibuprofen is usually preferred.)
• Avoid tobacco smoke and other irritants.

Red Flags

CALL THE 24-HOUR UHS NURSE ADVICE LINE 475-NURS (475-6877) IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OCCURS:

• Pus (white spots) on your tonsils.
• Significant swelling of your throat or tonsils.
• Drooling, difficulty opening your mouth or breathing, or the inability to eat or drink because of throat pain.
• Significant throat pain not helped by gargling, lozenges, or analgesics.
• Fever of over 100.5 degrees F (38 degrees C) that doesn't come down after taking analgesics or that lasts more than 72 hours.
• Significant ear pain.
• Skin rash that is red to coral in color and often sandpapery in texture.

CALL 911 OR GO DIRECTLY TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OCCURS:

• Severe breathing difficulty.