Some Basics...

• Sore throat is a reason many people go to the doctor's office.
• Sore throats can be caused by viruses or bacteria. The term for a throat infection is pharyngitis.
• Treatment depends on the cause of the sore throat. Most sore throats can be treated at home.

Pain Scale

• None: No pain. Pain score is 0 on a scale of 0 to 10.
• Mild: The pain does not keep you from work, school, or other normal activities. Pain score is 1-3 on a scale of 0 to 10.
• Moderate: The pain keeps you from working or going to school. It wakes you up from sleep. Pain score is 4-7 on a scale of 0 to 10.
• Severe: The pain is very bad. It may be worse than any pain you have had before. It keeps you from doing any normal activities. Pain score is 8-10 on a scale of 0 to 10.

Causes of Sore Throat

• Colds: Most sore throats are from a cold or other viral infection. Cough, hoarseness, and nasal symptoms are signs of a cold or virus.
• Strep Throat: In adults, about 10-20% of sore throats are caused by the strep bacteria. Strep throat is treated with antibiotics.
• Mono: Infectious mononucleosis is mostly seen in young adults. It causes 5-10% of the sore throats in that group.  People with a fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes may have mono. People with mono do not have strep throat. A blood test can help make the diagnosis. Mono is not treated with antibiotics.
• Other Causes: These can include dry air, smoking and post-nasal drip. Yelling or shouting too hard can strain the throat and make it feel sore. STDs like gonorrhea can also cause throat infections.

1. What You Should Know:
   • Sore throats can be caused by viruses or bacteria. The term for a throat infection is pharyngitis.
   • Treatment depends on the cause of the sore throat.
   • You can treat mild sore throats at home.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. For Relief of Sore Throat Pain:
   • Sip warm chicken broth or apple juice.
   • Suck on hard candy or a throat lozenge.
   • Gargle warm salt water 3 times daily. Make this using 1 teaspoon of salt in 8 oz of warm water.
   • Avoid smoking.
3. Pain Medicines:
   • You can take one of the drugs listed below if you have pain.
   • They are over-the-counter (OTC) pain drugs. You can buy them at the drugstore.
   Acetaminophen (Tylenol):
   • Regular Strength Tylenol: Take 2 pills (650 mg) every 4-6 hours. Each pill has 325 mg of acetaminophen.
   • Extra Strength Tylenol: Take 2 pills (1,000 mg) every 8 hours. Each pill has 500 mg of acetaminophen.
   • Do not take more than (3,000 mg) of this drug per day.
   Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil):
   • Motrin and Advil: Take 2 pills (400 mg) every 6 hours. Each pill has 200 mg of ibuprofen.
   • A second choice is to take 3 pills (600 mg) every 8 hours.
   Naproxen (Aleve):
   • Aleve: Take 1 pill (220 mg) every 8 hours. Each pill has 220 mg of naproxen.
   • A second choice is to take 2 pills (440 mg) every 12 hours.
   Extra Notes:
   • Use the lowest amount of a drug that makes your pain feel better.
   • Your doctor might tell you to take more than what is shown above. That is because your doctor knows you and your health problems.
   • Acetaminophen is safer than ibuprofen or naproxen in people over 65 years old. Acetaminophen is in many OTC and prescription drugs. It might be in more than one drug you are taking. Be careful how much you take. Too much of this drug can hurt the liver.
   • Caution- Acetaminophen: Do not take it if you have liver disease.
   • Caution- Ibuprofen and Naproxen:
     • Do not take ibuprofen or naproxen if you are pregnant.
     • Do not take these drugs if you have stomach problems or kidney disease.
     • Do not take these drugs for more than 7 days without checking with your doctor.
   • Read all package instructions.
4. Fever Medicines:
   • For fevers above 101°F (38.3°C) take acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
   • The goal of fever therapy is to bring it down. Fever medicine most often lowers fevers 2°F (1-1.5°C).
   • You can take one of these drugs if you have a fever.
   • They are over-the-counter (OTC) fever drugs. You can buy them at the drugstore.
   Acetaminophen (Tylenol):
   • Regular Strength Tylenol: Take 2 pills (650 mg) every 4-6 hours. Each pill has 325 mg of acetaminophen.
   • Extra Strength Tylenol: Take 2 pills (1,000 mg) every 8 hours. Each pill has 500 mg of acetaminophen.
   • Do not take more than 3,000 mg of this drug per day.
   Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil):
   • Motrin or Advil: Take 2 pills (400 mg) every 6 hours. Each pill has 200 mg of ibuprofen.
   • A second choice is to take 3 pills (600 mg) every 8 hours.
   Extra Notes:
   • Use the lowest amount of a drug that makes your pain feel better.
   • Your doctor might tell you to take more than what is shown above. That is because your doctor knows you and your health problems.
   • Acetaminophen is safer than ibuprofen in people over 65 years old. Acetaminophen is in many OTC and prescription drugs. It might be in more than one drug you are taking. Be careful how much you take. Too much of this drug can hurt the liver.
   • Caution- Acetaminophen: Do not take it if you have liver disease.
   • Caution- Ibuprofen:
     • Do not take ibuprofen if you are pregnant.
     • Do not take this drug if you have stomach problems or kidney disease.
     • Do not take this drug for more than 7 days without checking with your doctor.
   • Read all package instructions.
5. Soft Diet: Cold drinks and milk shakes are good to drink. Swollen tonsils can make solid foods hard to swallow.
6. Liquids: You should drink plenty of liquids. This will stop you from getting dehydrated. Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day.
7. How It Is Spread: Return to normal activities after your fever is gone and you feel better. If you have strep throat, take an antibiotic for 24 hours before you return. See a doctor if you think you have strep throat.
8. What to Expect: Sore throats from viruses most often last 3-4 days.
9. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Sore throat is the main problem and it lasts more than 24 hours
   • Sore throat is mild but lasts more than 4 days
   • Fever lasts more than 3 days
   • You get worse