Throat Infection Treatment Specialist Q&A

The treatment of your throat will be dependent on the type and severity of the infection. At-home remedies, antibiotics, and surgeries are all potential treatments. Below are the most common types of throat infections your doctor may need to treat:
 
Pharyngitis
When the pharynx located at the back of your throat becomes inflamed, you’ll develop a throat infection called pharyngitis. This infection typically causes difficulty swallowing and scratchiness. It can last anywhere from 3 to 10 days if it’s a virus infection and longer if it is from a bacterial infection.
 
Tonsillitis
The lumps of tissue at the back of your throat are called tonsils. Their main function is to boost the immune system, but when they themselves get attacked by a virus, they become swollen and red. This inflammation is called tonsillitis and may require surgery.
 
Laryngitis
The larynx, aka the voice box, is prone to getting an infection called laryngitis. This throat infection lasts about 2 weeks and makes your voice become quite hoarse. The best treatment for laryngitis is resting your voice by not speaking so that your vocal cords can heal without further irritation.
 
Strep Throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics so that it doesn’t become a much more dangerous diagnosis like rheumatic fever or kidney inflammation. Get lots of rest and take either amoxicillin or penicillin to clear the infection within only a few days to a week.

If you have a throat infection you could experience one or more of the following symptoms:
 
– Scratchy throat
– Burning sensations
– Irritation, tenderness, and inflammation
– Red, inflamed tonsils
– Swollen glands
– Headache
– Fever and chills
– Congestion in the sinuses
– Trouble swallowing
– Appetite loss
– Difficulty breathing

Without antibiotics, you can get rid of a throat infection through various at-home remedies and over-the-counter medications:
 
– Echinacea tea
– Chamomile tea
– Eating fruits with high amounts of vitamin C like oranges or kiwi
– Eating foods with antioxidant properties like honey (great in your tea)
– Drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
– Bone broth
– Gargling salt or coconut pulling
– Essential oils
 
If your symptoms don’t go away, schedule an appointment with your doctor so that they can further assess the infection. Some infections will continue to persist and worsen without antibiotics.

Treatments for throat infections include:
 
– Rest
– Staying hydrated
– Any of the above home remedies
– Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs
– Antibiotics
– Surgery
 
Most throat infections will clear up on their own and won’t need medical intervention. However, when symptoms won’t dissipate and get worse, make an appointment with your primary care physician or visit an urgent care center.
 
Immediate Care of Oklahoma provides throat infection treatments and medical services to Edmond, OK, Yukon, OK, Norman, OK, Del City and Midwest City, OK, West Moore, OK, and South Oklahoma, OK. We love serving everyone in these communities and are happy to be open 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. We serve patients from West Moore OK, Norman (HealthPlex) OK, Norman (24th) OK, Edmond OK, Yukon OK, I-240 & Sooner RD OK, Tecumseh OK, and Bethany OK.