Can a viral sore throat last longer than a week? I had symptoms of a cold and sneezing early on, but then developed sore throat after that. It s been about a week already, maybe 10 days... Have very little trouble breathing, probably some minor drainage, but no trouble sleeping at night. No tonsils but quite red at back of throat on both sides. No white, no fever, just sore throat when swallowing. Probably still slight cold , can blow nose a little, but not stuffed up. Still slight cough because there is still some drainage. But for the sore throat I feel ok but tired more as day goes on. Very annoying. Sucking on lozenges but will gargle with salt water. Trying to drink fluids. Just want to make sure it s nothing more but doesn t seem to be lessening in intensity. Do I just give this another week? I m pretty sure it s not Strep.