Sore Throat Signs and Symptoms 1. Pain when talking or swallowing. 2. Throat that looks red all over or in streaks when you open wide and say “Aahhh”. 3. Swollen, tender glands in the upper neck.
Sometimes: 1. Fever. 2. Headache. 3. Earache.
Strep throat: Sore throat that comes on suddenly, accompanied by fever, swollen neck glands, headache, or bright red tonsils.
Mononucleosis: Same symptoms as strep throat, plus debilitating fatigue and loss of appetite.
What to Do Now 1. Drink lots of liquids, preferably warm ones such as soup or herbal tea. 2. Gargle with warm salt water. 3. Don’t smoke, and keep away from people when they’re smoking. 4. Take a nonaspirin pain reliever to ease pain and inflammation. (Never give aspirin to a child under 12 who has chicken pox, flu, or any other illness you suspect of being caused by a virus). 5. Use a vaporizer or humidifier to moisten bedroom air. 6. Suck on throat lozenges or cough drops to keep your throat moist. 7. Don’t ask your doctor for an antibiotic unless you have strep or another bacterial infection- it won’t against a virus.
When to Call A Doctor Go to an emergency facility immediately: 1. If you have fever over 101 degrees. 2. If the glands in your neck are swollen. If you cannot swallow liquids or you have trouble breathing. 3. If your tonsils are bright red or have spots of white pus on them. 4. If your sore throat lasts longer than the five-to-seven-day span typical cold.
How to Prevent It Avoid cigarette smoke and other irritants. Stay away from people who have strep throat or a sore throat.
Note: All suggestions are only fast aid for diseases. |
