What should you know about lingering sore throat?

Throat pain can remain while the lining recovers from a cold, influenza, COVID-19, tonsillitis, or strep throat. Post-nasal drainage from allergic rhinitis can repeatedly irritate the throat. Acid reflux may bring stomach contents towards the throat, often with a sour taste, hoarseness, or symptoms that are worse after meals or when lying down. Glandular fever is another possible infection, especially when marked tiredness or swollen glands accompany the throat pain. A clinician may look at the throat, feel the neck, and decide whether testing is useful.

Drink regularly, choose soft foods if swallowing is uncomfortable, and avoid smoke and other airway irritants. Warm or cool fluids may soothe the throat; use whichever feels better. Rest your voice and consider a humidified room. Follow label directions for any suitable pain relief, taking account of pregnancy, allergies, stomach problems, kidney disease, and other medicines. Do not start leftover antibiotics: they do not treat every cause and can make assessment harder.

Arrange a medical assessment if the sore throat is not settling, keeps returning, or is making eating and drinking difficult. Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, inability to swallow saliva, drooling, severe one-sided swelling, a muffled voice, neck swelling, or rapidly worsening illness. Fever with a spreading rash, profound weakness, or dehydration also needs prompt attention. A clinician can check for an abscess or another problem rather than judging the cause from throat pain alone.

Could reflux, nasal allergy, or a lingering infection explain my symptoms? Do I need a throat swab or another examination? Which pain-relief options fit my health conditions and medicines? What changes should make me seek urgent care?