The 4 signs your sore throat is something serious – and when you must see a doctor
AS we head into the winter months many us are likely to pick up a cold or two, with the most common symptom being a sore throat.
Most of the time, sore throats are caused by viruses like the common cold, or from inhaling smoke.
But in some cases a sore throat can be a sign of something more sinister, especially if accompanied with one of the following symptoms:
1. If there's a rash
If you develop a rash while you have a sore throat this could be a sign of a more serious infection, Dr Gabriela Pichardo of Resilient Health Austin, US, said.
In an essay for Web MD, the doctor said that a rash on your neck and chest that spreads to the rest of your body this can be a sign of a group of bacterial infections called streptococcal infection.
The expert said: "The most minor of these is strep throat (bacterial tonsillitis), but they also include more serious ones, like scarlet fever, bacteremia (bacteria in the blood), and toxic shock syndrome.
"They all need to be treated by a doctor - usually with antibiotics as soon as possible."
It's worth bearing in mind that viral infections, like viral tonsillitis will not clear up with antibiotics.
2. If it hurts a lot
When a cold causes your sore throat, it can be very painful, but it usually clears up on its own within a few days.
However bacterial infections, like bacterial tonsillitis, tend to cause more severe pain that doesn't get better.
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According to the NHS, bacterial tonsillitis can cause problems swallowing, and eating, earache and swollen, painful glands in your neck.
If you have any of these symptoms it's worth visiting your GP to see if the infection is bacterial and not viral.
Bacterial tonsillitis can be treated with antibiotics.
3. If you have a fever
Colds can cause a fever, but it’s usually just a mild one.
However, if you have a sore throat and a fever over 38 C, it's "more likely to be a throat infection like tonsillitis than a simple cold," Gabriela said.
4. If it lingers
Dr Gabriela also explained: "If it lasts longer than a week or gets worse, check with your doctor, even if you had a negative tonsillitis test."
A sore throat that doesn't go away could also be a sign of glandular fever, the NHS website explains.
Glandular fever mostly affects teenagers and young adults. It gets better without treatment, but it can make you feel very ill and last for weeks.
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Most people get better with no problems. But sometimes glandular fever may lead to other problems like:
- mild liver inflammation (hepatitis), which causes yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- low levels of blood cells called platelets (thrombocytopenia)
- neurological conditions, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome or Bell's palsy