How Can Severe Sore Throat That Hurts To Swallow Along With Low Grade Fever Be Managed?

Posted on Mon, 23 Jul 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 Answered on

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 Last reviewed on

Question : I have bad sore throat it hurts each time I swallow,and accompanied with low grade temperatur(98.6 F).

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Mostly mild viral infection .Would resolve with home care.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Your symptoms could be allergic, viral or bacterial in origin.
Out of these you seem to have viral infection at an early stage.(as there is no high grade fever, sinus affection, cough with expectoration ,no itching or sneezing.)
Viral infection tends to be self limiting & most of the times gets relieved with home management. The time taken to heal being 5-7 days at the most.

* Home care
- Take rest, drink plenty of liquids... specially hot broth or tea with ginger or honey.
-Do hot saline gargles with warm water &1/2 spoon of common salt.
- Use humidifiers
- Over the counter cold medicine would relieve symptoms .
Most of the times there is relief within 5-7 days in mild viral infection.

* See your family physician
- If you have increased fever with muscle pain. suggesting flue for specific antiviral medicine like Tamiflu as per need.
- In case allergic with secondary bacterial infection symptoms develop (cough, cold, fever, thick and yellow or green nasal discharge or sputum.)
- In case symptoms do not resolve in 5-7 days.

I hope that answers your query. Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy