Cold, Flu, & Cough Health Center

Do you have a severe sore throat?

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.

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.

Do you have diabetes?

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

Does your child have a fever of or higher?

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

Do you know or think you have a fever?

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may need immediate care. Call your health professional now to discuss your symptoms and arrange for your care.

• Symptoms are likely to worsen without medical care.
• If you do not have a health professional, seek emergency care.
• Emergency transportation is not needed. However, if you are not able to travel safely either by driving yourself or having someone else drive you, call an ambulance.

You do not need to answer any of the other questions.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you need to call your health professional to discuss your symptoms and arrange for care.

• An appointment today is usually needed.
• Symptoms are unlikely to improve without medical care.

Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may wait to see if your symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or the specified time period). If symptoms improve, no appointment is needed.

• If symptoms do not improve after 24 hours (or the specified time period), an appointment within the next 24 hours is usually needed.
• If appropriate, try home treatment to relieve your symptoms.
• Check your symptoms in 24 hours, or sooner if there is any change.
• Call your health professional if symptoms get worse.

Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.