Sore Throat (throat feels painful, tender or raw)
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Emergent Care - Have you identified one or more of the following symptoms?
- Unable to speak or cry
- Unable to swallow and new drooling
- Fever 104 F or higher and not responding to fever-reducing medicine
- Signs of dehydration (little or no fluid intake, little or no urine out put, dry mouth, sunken eyes)
| Yes |
No |
Seek Immediate Medical Attention!
These symptoms can be life-threatening. |
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| 9 out of 10 sore throats are viral
Viral sore throats usually last 3-4 days
Strep throat responds to antibiotics in 72 hours
Strep throat is no longer contagious after 24 hours on antibiotics
Change toothbrushes after each sore throat or strep infection to prevent reinfection
The family dog can also be a strep carrier and should be checked if the infection continues to circulate after everyone in the family has been treated |
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Urgent Care - Have you identified one or more of the following symptoms?
- Sore throat and/or fever lasting longer than 48 hours
- Recent exposure to strep throat with fever and sore throat (in the absence of a cold)
- Tender swollen neck glands
- History of recent strep infections
| Yes |
No |
Contact Your Health Care Provider. |
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Self-Management - You can help in the following ways:
- Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) for fever and/or pain, if no reasons to the contrary
- Salt water gargle ½ tsp. in 8-oz. warm water every 2 hours
- Topical throat spray (e.g. Chloraseptic)
- Increase fluids (tea, broth)
- Throat lozenges (Sucrets, Cepecol, ,Cepastat), antiseptic spray or hard candy to soothe throat
- Avoid smoking or smoke filled rooms
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