About this topic
Viral pharyngitis is also known as a sore throat. It is an infection of the throat caused by a tiny germ called a virus. A sore throat can easily spread from person to person. Coughing, sneezing, and touching something with the germ on it spreads the sore throat. ‚
Viral infections most often go away after 7 to 10 days. You may not need any treatment. Some can cause very serious health problems. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Drink lots of water, juice, or broth to replace fluids lost from having a fever.
- Gargle with warm salt water a few times daily. Mix 1/2 teaspoon salt with a cup of warm water.
- Suck on hard candy or cough drops.
- Use a cool mist humidifier to help you breathe easier.
- Do not smoke. Stay away from others who are smoking.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Soothe the throat
- Lower fever
Will physical activity be limited?
You may need to rest at home for 1 to 2 days or until you are feeling well. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- If your throat feels too sore to eat solid foods, you may drink water, juice, milk, milkshakes, or soups.
- Do not drink sports drinks, soft drinks, undiluted fruit juice, or drinks with a lot of sugar. These may cause fluid loss and throat irritation.
- Stay away from caffeine; acidic juices like orange juice or lemonade; and beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol). These can worsen your signs.
What problems could happen?
- Ear or sinus infection
- Asthma attack
- Lung problems like pneumonia or bronchitis
- Severe fluid loss. This is dehydration.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs.
- If you are sick, cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze. You can also cough into your elbow. Throw away tissues in the trash and wash your hands after touching used tissues.
- Do not get too close (kissing, hugging) to people who are sick.
- Avoid going to crowded places.
- Avoid sharing your towels or hankies with anyone who is sick. Clean often handled things like door handles, remotes, toys, and phones. Wipe them with a disinfectant.
- Do not share knives and forks or drinking glasses with someone who has a sore throat. Wash these objects with hot, soapy water.
- Get at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night.
- Get a flu shot each year.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, mouth sores.
- Throwing up and not able to keep liquids down
- Breathing very fast, more than 40 breaths in 1 minute
- Trouble breathing
- Drooling because you are unable to swallow saliva
- Swelling of the throat, tongue, or neck
- Very tired or weak
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my sore throat.
- I can tell you what I can do to help avoid passing the infection to others.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have trouble breathing, drooling, or swelling of the throat, tongue, or neck.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Family Physicians ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/sore-throat.printerview.all.html ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Sore-throat/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚