A sore throat or pharyngitis refers to the pain, itchiness, or irritation in the throat that generally gets worse when you swallow. The most frequent cause of a sore throat infection is a viral infection, for instance, a cold or the flu and it may usually resolve on its own. However, a sore throat can also be the first indication of more severe illnesses, so you should observe how it develops. Visit an urgent care doctor if your sore throat gets worse or persists longer than the usual.
A sore throat infection can be the result of exposure to airborne contaminants, or it could be an indicator that a virus is targeting you. Sore throats often occur once an infection has had a chance to become established in your body. Sore throats and fevers usually go hand-in-hand and can indicate many different types of health issues.
Sore throats or bacterial throat infection are often caused by bacteria or viruses that enter the body through the nasal passages or the mouth. A sore throat infection may be the result of an ear infection. As the ears drain, the mucus and fluids that flush the inner ear may irritate the throat causing it to be sore, red, and inflamed.
A sore throat does not usually cause other health conditions like high blood pressure or migraines. They are, however, indicative that something is wrong within the body. Both high blood pressure and migraine headaches can be symptoms of other health conditions that are associated with sore throats and chest pain.
In most cases, a person is contagious for as long as they have a fever.
Sore throats will often last as long as the virus is attacking the body. A sore throat will generally stick around until your immune system gets the upper hand against the infection.
A sore throat doesn't necessarily produce a fever but accompanies an illness as your body tries to eliminate the virus.
A fever is the body's natural defense mechanism to fight infections by raising your body temperature. Most viruses won't survive temperatures above 100 degrees and will get killed by the fever in short order.
Sore throats can be an indication of more severe illnesses like rheumatic fever and malaria (if you have been exposed to it). Fevers are meant to be a short-term solution to fighting a virus. If you have a sore throat or fever that lasts longer than 72 hours, you may want to make an appointment with your doctor.
If your throat starts to hurt, you should drink plenty of fluids and get as much rest as you can. You can take over the counter pain medication to make your throat feel better. Talk to your doctor if you start to feel like you may have something worse than a cold or the flu.
If you are experiencing sore throats that keep recurring, last longer than a week, and you get dehydrated, visit our urgent care center near you for a check-up and get relief from cold, cough, or throat pain.
Dr. Bunten is originally from Huntington Beach, CA. He attended high school in Tokyo, Japan, went to college at UC San Diego and then to medical school in the Midwest. He returned home to California for residency training in Family Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. His immediate family all reside in Huntington Beach.
Dr Fishbein has been in the practice of family medicine for over 35 years in Irvine. He received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University, medical degree from Chicago Medical School, and completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Hospital of Long Beach.
Dr. Kim is the Medical Director of Family Care Centers, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Hoag Hospital, and a recipient of the Physicians of Excellence award from the Orange County Medical Association. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, and has been practicing in our community for over 20 years.
Dr. Memon is a board certified Family Medicine physician and recently completed her fellowship in Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. She attended Saint George’s University, School of Medicine and completed her residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Her interest in medicine started at an early age and has since evolved into a passionate career.
Dr. Gina Nguyen obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Irvine where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. She went to USC Keck School of Medicine, and returned to UC Irvine for a Family Medicine Residency. Since 2005, she worked at Kaiser Permanente, VNCOC, and Family Care Center Urgent Care.
Dr. Williams is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He is a native to Orange County and returned home after completing his medical degree at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. After completing his residency in family practice he successfully completed a fellowship in sports medicine.
Dr. Hye Lee is a board-certified Family Practice Physician, affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Riverside and earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. Afterward, she did her internship at Downey Regional Medical Center in California and has been a primary care physician since 2005.
Dr. Coyne is a board certified family practice physician and a California native. He completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA before earning his medical degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Dr Coyne spent 6 years in the US Air Force at Andrews and Luke Air Force bases, eventually separating as a Major. He enjoys working with patients of all ages.”
Dr. Jay Friehling is a Family Practice physician who has worked in Orange County since 1981. Born in Florida, he received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then earned a Medical Degree at the New York Medical College.” His healthcare interests include Diabetes, Geriatric Care, and Hospice Care.
Dr. Jennifer Shoquist is board certified in Family Medicine. Her special interest is woman’s health and her practice accepts patients from 6 years old to seniors. Dr. Shoquist received her M.D. degree at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston in Houston, Texas, and did her residency with Memorial Family Practice at memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Tom is a board certified family medicine physician and native Californian. He received his bachelors of science with great distinction in biochemistry and honors in chemistry. Dr. Tom was awarded a Regents Scholarship to attend medical school at UC Irvine.
Dr. Yan attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Practice residency at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. She joined Family Care Center in 2001. She chose Family Practice because she enjoys working with a wide variety of people and because it provides a unique opportunity for continuing care.
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