Sore Throat & Strep Throat Relief in Flagstaff
Sore throat symptoms and causes
Sore throats can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
Strep throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes a severe sore throat and requires prompt medial treatment.
Viruses
The most common cause of sore throats, including colds, the flu, and mononucleosis. Antibiotics do not work one these causes.
Exposures
Additional casues include allergens, dry air, irritants and even acid reflux
General signs of strep throat
Strep throat the bacterial infection can present many different ways. Below are some of the most common ways it presents, but it does not need a combination of these. Sometimes just one of these can be strep throat and sometimes non e of these symptoms can be strep throat. Thats why testing is important .
- Sudden onset of severe sore throat
- Fever (often high)
- Painful swallowing
- Swollen tonsils with white patches or streaks of pus
- Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth
- Swollen lymph nodes in neck
- Lack of a cough or runny nose.
Children's Concerns with Sore Throats and Strep Throat
Sore throats are common in children, and strep throat is particularly prevalent among school-aged kids. It is important to watch for signs of dehydration, as children may not drink enough fluids when swallowing is painful. Strep throat can also lead to complications if left untreated so it is important to get your child tested.
Signs to watch for in children:
- Refusal to eat or drink
- Excessive drooling (in young children)
- Difficulty breathing
- Unusual extreme sleepiness or fussiness
*If you experience any of the above please go to an emergency room or call 911.
Sore throat treatment
- Viral Sore Throats: Viral infections usually resolve on their own. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms with rest, fluids, over-the-counter pain relievers, and home remedies like gargling with salt water.
- Strep Throat: Strep throat requires antibiotic treatment to prevent complications. It’s important to complete the full course of antibiotics, even if you start feeling better.
- Additionally consider hot tea with lemon and honey. Pain relievers in the form of ibuprofen/tylenol and over the counter lozenges.
When to seek emergency medical care
Seek immediate medical attention if you or your child experience:
- Difficulty breathing
- Inability to swallow
- Excessive drooling (in young children)
- A stiff neck or severe headache with a fever
- A rash that does not fade when pressed
*If you experience any of these please immediately call 911 or go to nearest emergency room
How Mend Care can help
Mend Care makes it easy to get the care you need for a sore throat or strep throat without leaving your Flagstaff home. Our medical professionals will come to you, evaluate your symptoms, and perform a rapid strep test if needed. We offer convenient and efficient testing for strep throat with results available in minutes.
Here’s how we make it easy:
- Convenient At-Home Visits: Skip the trip to the clinic and the waiting room. We bring expert care directly to your door in Flagstaff.
- Rapid Strep Testing: If needed, we offer quick and accurate strep tests with results available in minutes.
- Prompt Treatment: If you test positive for strep, we’ll prescribe the appropriate antibiotics to clear the infection.
- Symptom Management: We’ll provide recommendations for managing your sore throat pain and discomfort, regardless of the cause.
- Personalized Care: Our medical professionals take the time to listen to your concerns and develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Don’t suffer through a sore throat. Get relief fast! Book your appointment with Mend Care today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sore throats can be caused by a variety of factors, the most common being viral infections like the common cold or flu. Other causes include bacterial infections (such as strep throat), allergies, dry air, irritants like smoke or pollution, and even acid reflux (GERD).
Strep throat often comes on suddenly with a severe sore throat, fever, painful swallowing, and swollen tonsils that may have white patches or streaks of pus. Unlike a cold, strep throat usually doesn’t involve a cough or runny nose. The only way to know for sure if you have strep throat is to get a strep test from a healthcare professional.
Most sore throats get better on their own, but you should see a doctor if your sore throat is severe or lasts longer than a week. You should also seek medical attention if you suspect you have strep throat.
Strep throat is treated with antibiotics, which help to kill the bacteria causing the infection, prevent complications, and reduce the spread to others. It’s important to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if you start feeling better sooner. Mend Care offers convenient in-home strep testing and can prescribe antibiotics if needed, all without a trip to the clinic.
