Introduction
Sore throats can be treated with various home remedies and over-the-counter painkillers. However, there are accompanying symptoms and situations in which one should see a doctor. Sore throats, which are dismissed as “harmless”, can allow the pathogens to spread throughout the body. Dangerous complications such as heart muscle inflammation can be avoided with early, targeted therapy.
With these symptoms I should definitely consult a doctor
There are symptoms where every patient should consult a doctor. If the sore throat is extremely severe and home remedies are not sufficient, a doctor should be consulted to find out the cause of the symptoms. If the symptoms start very severely and suddenly, this is also a reason to see a doctor.
Often the sore throat is then a disease that needs treatment. Another reason for a visit to the doctor is a very severe sore throat on one side with severe difficulty swallowing, clumsy speech and lockjaw. A peritonsillar abscess in the oral cavity could be responsible for this and without treatment could lead to sepsis (blood poisoning).
If the tonsils are reddened, swollen and possibly covered with pus, a visit to the doctor is also necessary. A (bacterial) tonsillitis must be treated and supervised by a doctor. Another serious symptom is a distinct swollen lymph node in the throat.
If you suffer from fever as well as sore throat, you should definitely see a doctor. Fever is in need of treatment and can be dangerous. The underlying cause of the fever should be investigated and targeted treatment should be given.
In addition, one should see a doctor if sore throat (gastrointestinal) complaints such as abdominal pain and nausea are added to the sore throat. If an inflammation of the palate and tonsils is the cause of the sore throat, the bacteria can form a tonsil abscess. If the abscess is not treated, the bacteria can get into the blood and cause dangerous blood poisoning (sepsis).
Diseases such as inflammation of the kidneys and rheumatic fever can develop as a result of secondary diseases such as pharyngitis or tonsillitis caused by A-streptococci and scarlet fever. Rheumatic fever includes complaints such as joint pain, fever, headaches and sweating. Inflammation of the kidneys can occur in children about two to three weeks after a sore throat and can manifest itself through tissue swelling on the eyelids or blood in the urine. Dangerous complications can usually be effectively avoided by going to the doctor early and treating the underlying disease of the sore throat.
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