Sore Throat Treatment in Tampa, FL
Do you have a raw, scratchy, or burning sensation at the back of your throat? Just about everyone experiences a sore throat from time to time. If you need help finding relief, you can receive prompt treatment for your throat pain at South Tampa Immediate Care in Tampa, Florida.
What Are the Common Causes of a Sore Throat?
Most sore throats result from a viral infection, such as the common cold, influenza (flu), or mononucleosis (mono). Throat pain can also stem from a seemingly unrelated health issue, such as acid reflux or postnasal drip.
Sometimes, a sore throat is not caused by an underlying illness. For instance, painful throat irritation can result from:
- Inhaling airborne irritants or allergens, such as tobacco smoke, pollen, dust, or pet dander
- Breathing dry air, particularly in an air-conditioned or heated environment
- Mouth breathing, especially during sleep
- Overusing or straining the vocal cords by talking loudly, shouting, or singing for an extended period
- Consuming hot foods or beverages, such as soup, coffee, or tea
- Not drinking enough fluids, which can lead to dehydration and cause dryness in the throat
A less common but more serious cause of throat pain is strep throat, a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus. Strep is most common in children and adolescents, but it can affect people of any age. The infection is highly contagious and easily spreads when an uninfected person inhales respiratory droplets that become airborne when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks.
What Are the Most Common Sore Throat Symptoms?
The symptoms that accompany a sore throat—which can vary depending on the cause—may include:
- Throat pain that worsens with speaking or swallowing
- Vocal hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swelling and tenderness in the neck or jaw
- Swollen, red tonsils
- White patches on the tonsils
The underlying infection may cause additional symptoms, such as:
- Fever and chills
- Body aches
- Runny nose
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
How Long Does a Sore Throat Take to Get Better?
If a sore throat is caused by the common cold or flu—or is unrelated to illness—the pain will usually resolve on its own within a few days. However, a sore throat caused by mono may linger for up to a few weeks.
Strep throat may require a prescription antibiotic to fully resolve the infection and help prevent complications, such as ear and sinus infections and kidney inflammation.
What Treatments Are Available for a Sore Throat?
Many people seeking sore throat relief find it helpful to rest comfortably at home, drink plenty of water to keep their throat moist, and take an over-the-counter sore throat remedy or pain reliever as needed.
In general, it is important to seek professional medical attention for throat pain that is severe, lasts longer than a few days, or is accompanied by fever. An experienced healthcare provider can determine the cause and suggest appropriate treatment, which may include a course of antibiotics for a bacterial infection, such as strep throat.
Do You Offer Walk-In Sore Throat Treatment?
If you need help finding relief from your sore throat, you do not have to wait for an appointment to see a primary care provider or get hung up for hours in the necessary triage system of a hospital emergency room. Come to South Tampa Immediate Care instead. Our experienced and caring team is proud to serve the Tampa community, and we provide effective sore throat treatment and other non-emergency urgent care services on a walk-in basis. At our acute care clinic, you can see a Board-certified or Board-eligible physician without an appointment.
A provider at South Tampa Immediate Care can quickly determine if you have a strep infection by performing a rapid strep test, which involves a simple throat swab that can be immediately processed in our on-site lab. Available within minutes, the results of your rapid strep test will help your provider determine if you need antibiotic treatment. We can have you on your way to recovery in no time.
For more information, contact or visit South Tampa Immediate Care today. You can stop by our walk-in clinic at 602 South Howard Avenue in Tampa, FL, for sore throat treatment whenever it is most convenient for you—we are available every day during extended hours.
