Sore throat in adults

When to seek medical advice

Get emergency medical care if your sore throat is accompanied by:

Difficulty breathing
Difficulty swallowing

See your doctor as soon as possible if your sore throat lasts longer than one week or is accompanied by:

Fever of 103 F (39.4 C) or higher
Hoarse voice for more than one week
Pus on the back of your throat
Blood in your saliva or phlegm
Skin rash
Signs of dehydration

Find possible causes of sore throat based on specific factors. Check one or more factors on this page that apply to your symptom.

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