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Sore Throat - 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.

Step One

Step Two

Step Three

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 symptoms of strep throat?


	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 a sore throat without other symptoms?


	Yes

Have you developed a sore throat after being exposed to strep throat?


	Yes

Do you have a severe sore throat?


	Yes

Do you have a mild to moderate sore throat?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have drooling and a sore throat?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have diabetes?


	Yes

Do you have a medical condition or take a medicine that impairs your immune system?


	Yes

Does your child have a fever of or higher?


	Yes

Do you think that your child has a moderate fever, but you are not able to measure his or her temperature?


	Yes

Do you know or think you have a fever?


	Yes

Do you have a white or yellow coating on your tonsils?


	Yes

Do you have swollen glands in your neck without other cold symptoms, such as a cough, congestion, sneezing, or muscle aches?


	Yes

Has your child had a mild fever for longer than 48 hours or longer?


	Yes

Have you had a mild to moderate sore throat without other cold symptoms, such as cough, congestion, sneezing, or muscle aches, for 72 hours or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have signs of moderate dehydration, and you are unable to drink enough to replace lost fluids?


	Yes

Have you had signs of mild dehydration for 24 hours or longer, and you are not sure you can drink enough to replace the lost fluids?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have a rash?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have moderate to severe pain when swallowing after 6 to 8 hours of home treatment?


	Yes

Do you have swollen tonsils with patches of white or green pus on your tonsils?


	Yes

Have you had mild to moderate pain when swallowing for longer than 48 hours?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have a sore throat with a muffled voice or hoarseness after 6 to 8 hours of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Have you had a severe sore throat for longer than 12 hours despite home treatment?


	Yes

Have you had a mild to moderate sore throat for 48 hours or longer?


	Yes

Has a new sore throat (even if mild) continued longer than 1 week?


	Yes

Do you have an ongoing (chronic) sore throat that has not been checked by a doctor?


	Yes

Do you have an ongoing (chronic) sore throat that has changed since being checked by a doctor?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Have you developed a sore throat in the past 48 hours after being in close contact with someone who has had a positive test for strep throat?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Other Symptoms to Watch For

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

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: February 25, 2008

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.