Sore Throat

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Moderate to severe difficulty breathing:
  • In a child
  • In an adult and older child
• Rapid swelling of the throat or tongue
• Drooling develops with difficulty breathing or the inability to cry or make sounds. This can be caused by epiglottitis.
• Severe dehydration:
  • In a child
  • In an adult and older child

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first:

• A sore in your mouth that is causing a sore throat: Go to the topic Mouth Problems, Noninjury.
• An injury to the back of your mouth: Go to the topic Mouth and Dental Injuries.
• An allergic reaction: Go to the topic Allergic Reaction.

Yes	Do you have a sore throat and mild difficulty breathing?
Yes	Do you have a sore throat and drooling?
Yes	Do you have signs of mild to moderate dehydration?
Yes	Do you have a sore throat with a rash?
Yes	Do you have a sore throat with pain when swallowing?
Yes	Do you have a sore throat with a muffled voice or hoarseness?
Yes	Do you have symptoms of strep throat?
Yes	Do you have a sore throat without other symptoms?
Yes	Have you developed a sore throat after being exposed to strep throat?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• A fever: Go to the topic Fever, Age 3 and Younger or Fever, Age 4 and Older.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: February 25, 2008
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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