When Does a Sore Throat Warrant a Trip to Urgent Care?

Have a sore throat? Should you get it checked out? While a sore throat can be a relatively mild reaction to an allergen or be associated with a cold, it could also be a sign of something more serious that requires medical treatment. If your sore throat is severe, lasts for a long time, or is present along with other worrisome symptoms, a trip to urgent care can help.

At Schaumburg Immediate Care, located in Schaumburg, Illinois, our healthcare providers can investigate your sore throat and diagnose the likely causes. In most cases, we can provide you with the treatment you need on the spot. Here’s how to tell if your sore throat warrants a visit to our facility.

Sore throat for more than two weeks

A sore throat that persists and won’t go away is something to have checked out, especially if you are also experiencing hoarseness. For a prompt appointment, visit our office, and we will investigate the root cause of your pain.

Sore throat and fever

Fever is a sign of infection. A low-grade fever with a sore throat could mean it’s just a common cold, but if you have both a sore throat and a high fever, it could be strep throat or tonsillitis. If your fever starts to spike, getting checked out is best. We perform visual exams to check for tonsillitis and can run strep swab tests to check for infection.

Sore throat and difficulty swallowing or breathing

If your throat is sore and inflamed to the point that it’s difficult to eat, drink, or breathe, you should visit our urgent care facility sooner rather than later. (If you can’t get air through your nose either, you may need to call 9-1-1.) 

Sore throat and STD exposure

If you have a sore throat and think that you may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease (STD) like gonorrhea or chlamydia, it’s important to let us know so we can run the correct tests. Both of these STDs can cause a sore throat, but fortunately, both are entirely treatable. 

Sore throat and other concerning symptoms

You should also visit our facility if you have a sore throat (especially a persistent or recurring one) and any of these symptoms:

• A lump in your neck or swelling in your neck or face
• Difficulty opening your mouth
• Joint pain
• Earache
• Rash
• Blood in your saliva or sputum

Are you worried about your sore throat? We can help. Call us at (847) 250-1700 or request an appointment online.