What causes sore throat for 2 weeks

A sore throat is a painful but common affliction that everyone suffers from on occasion. It may be the first sign of a cold, the result of strained vocal cords or a symptom of a more serious condition such as strep throat.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a sore throat include pain, scratchiness, dry throat, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, swollen neck or jaw glands and swollen or inflamed tonsils. You may also have a fever, chills, cough, runny nose, sneezing, headache, muscle and joint aches, nausea and vomiting.

What causes sore throat for 2 weeks

Causes of Chronic Sore Throat

Most sore throats are the result of viral infections, often related to the common cold or flu. Bacterial infections can also lead to sore throats. Some of the more common ones include strep throat, tonsillitis, whooping cough and diphtheria.

A sore throat is considered chronic when it lasts for more than three months. Typical factors that can cause a long-lasting sore throat include allergies, acid reflux, environmental irritants, dry air and strained vocal cords. Occasionally a more serious condition, such as a tumor or HIV, can cause a sore throat.

Treatment & Prevention

Home remedies are often the most effective treatment method for a sore throat. Try gargling with warm salt water periodically throughout the day. Make sure you drink plenty of liquids, and use throat lozenges and cough drops to relieve soreness and irritation. A humidifier is often helpful. Over-the-counter pain relievers and decongestants are beneficial at providing relief as well. If your sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection, you will need to treat it with antibiotics.

There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing a sore throat in the future. Practice good hygiene by washing your hands frequently with warm water and soap, cough or sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve and do not share food or utensils with others who are sick.

In order to treat a chronic sore throat, your physician must first determine the cause. The first step involves reviewing your medical history and completing a physical exam. Additional tests are often required to further narrow down the cause.

Contact Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Sore throats are common and not usually serious. Most people will have at least 2 or 3 every year. Children and teenagers are more likely to get sore throats than adults.

Most sore throats will clear after a few days without the need for medical treatment. After a week, almost 9 in 10 people will be well again.

Symptoms

Sore throats are common and not usually serious.

They are usually a symptom of a viral infection. Most sore throats are caused by a virus so antibiotics won't help.

Symptoms include:

  • painful throat, especially when swallowing
  • dry scratchy throat
  • redness in the back of the mouth
  • bad breath
  • mild cough
  • swollen neck glands

You may also have a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, fever and a tickly cough. Sometimes your voice may get hoarse.

Causes

Most sore throats are caused by a virus. Viruses cause tonsillitis and laryngitis. 

Sometimes sore throats they can be caused by bacteria (strep throat). With bacterial infections, you will usually feel sicker and take longer to get better. Your immune system may clear the strep throat or you may need an antibiotic.

Treatment

About 8 out of every 10 sore throats will get better without antibiotics.

Over-the-counter painkillers can usually relieve the symptoms of a sore throat.

Babies and children

For babies and children, encourage them to drink water, juice or milk. Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding your baby will help ease their sore throat and will help keep them hydrated.

For younger children, an ice cube or a frozen juice cube can be soothing to suck on. It can also help to keep them hydrated.

Talk to your pharmacist to get advice about pain relief for your child's sore throat.

Adults

Try to avoid hot food and hot drinks as this could irritate your throat. Eat cool, soft food and drink cool or warm (not hot) liquids.

To help relieve the pain and discomfort of a sore throat, it can help to use:

  • paracetamol or ibuprofen
  • medicated lozenges or anaesthetic sprays
  • medicated sprays - ask your pharmacist for advice

You can buy these from a supermarket or from a pharmacist without a prescription.

Antibiotics

GPs do not usually prescribe antibiotics for sore throats. This is because antibiotics will not usually relieve pain or help your symptoms. They won't speed up your recovery either.

Your GP will only prescribe them if they think you have a bacterial infection.

When to get help

Usually, you do not need to contact a GP or attend the emergency department, if you have a sore throat.

Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if:

  • you have a sore throat and a very high temperature, or you feel hot and shivery
  • your child or baby is not taking enough drinks or has dry nappies
  • you have a weak immune system
  • you're worried about your sore throat

A severe or long-lasting sore throat could be something like strep throat (a bacterial throat infection) or tonsillitis.

If you still have a sore throat after 2 weeks, it’s best to get it checked.

When to go to your emergency department

Going back to work or school

Do not go to work or send your child to school or creche with an infection. You can go back to work, school or creche when your symptoms have been gone for 48 hours.


Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE

What causes sore throat for 2 weeks
This project has received funding from the Government of Ireland’s Sláintecare Integration Fund 2019 under Grant Agreement Number 123.

Page last reviewed: 13 June 2019
Next review due: 13 June 2022

Is having a sore throat for 2 weeks normal?

“Sore throats are very common. While viral infections are the most common cause, severe or persistent pain may be indicative of a more serious problem. If your throat pain lasts longer than 3 weeks or if you are concerned, visit your local doctor.”

What do I do if my sore throat won't go away?

According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, you should see your doctor if you have a sore throat and any of the following associated conditions: A sore throat that is severe or lasts longer than a week. Difficulty swallowing. Difficulty breathing.

How long is too long to have a sore throat?

A sore throat can happen for many reasons, ranging from a common cold to mono, herpes, or HIV infections. Symptoms usually go away after a few days. People should see a doctor if a sore throat lasts 6 days or more, or they have a fever or other symptoms.

When should I be worried about a persistent sore throat?

See a GP if: your sore throat does not improve after a week. you often get sore throats. you're worried about your sore throat. you have a sore throat and a very high temperature, or you feel hot and shivery.