Strep throat symptoms lasting two weeks

Strep throat can cause throat pain, fever, swollen tonsils, and tender neck glands, but symptoms that continue for two weeks should not be assumed to be ongoing strep. Viral illness, tonsillitis, post-nasal drainage, reflux, mouth breathing, or irritation can produce similar discomfort. If antibiotics were prescribed and there has been little improvement, the diagnosis, medicine, dose, or another cause may need review.

A clinician will consider your symptom timeline, examine your mouth and neck, and decide whether testing or another examination is needed. Bring the names of medicines you have taken and describe any fever, rash, cough, voice change, or swallowing difficulty.

Book a GP consultation rather than continuing leftover antibiotics or repeatedly changing medicines. Drink regularly, avoid smoking and throat irritants, and use gentle fluids or soft foods if swallowing is uncomfortable. Follow prescribed directions and report any medicine reaction. Rest is helpful, but worsening symptoms need medical attention even if you have already been seen.

Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, inability to swallow saliva, drooling, severe one-sided throat pain, a muffled voice, difficulty opening the mouth, neck swelling, confusion, or dehydration. Prompt review is also appropriate for recurrent fever, a worsening rash, blood in saliva, or a new persistent lump in the neck.

Ask what is most likely sustaining the symptoms, whether a throat test or other assessment is needed, how to manage pain safely, and which change should trigger urgent care.