Sore Throat Specialist

Cermak Immediate Care

Immediate Care & Primary Care Practice located in Cicero, IL, Roseland, IL, Little Village, IL, and North Lawndale, IL

A sore throat can be more than uncomfortable, as it can also be a sign of a serious medical issue. At Cermak Immediate Care in Cicero and Roseland in Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Ruchir Thakkar leads a team of experienced physicians who offer families assistance for sore throats and other common complaints. Don’t suffer from a painful sore throat when treatment is available at Cermak Immediate Care. You can schedule a visit online or come in for an urgent care assessment.

Sore Throat Q & A

What are some symptoms of a sore throat?

A sore throat can have several different components, and your symptoms can wax and wane over time. Some of the more common symptoms of a sore throat include:

Throat pain or irritation
Swollen or red tonsils
Trouble swallowing
Swollen or sore glands in your jaw or neck
Visible pus or white patches on your tonsils
Vocal changes

Depending on the cause and severity of your sore throat, you might also notice the following:

Fever
Headaches
Body aches
A runny nose
Nausea
Vomiting

What could be causing my sore throat?

When you have a painful sore throat that isn’t responding to self-care, getting to the bottom of the matter becomes a priority. A sore throat could be a sign of many different medical issues, including:

Common cold
Flu
Chickenpox
Mononucleosis
Measles
Strep throat
Allergies
Tumors

Determining the cause of your sore throat is the first step in creating your customized treatment plan.

How is a sore throat diagnosed?

A thorough exam offers insight into the cause of your sore throat and accompanying symptoms. Depending on the results of your exam, additional screening methods might be used. One of the most convenient diagnostic tools available is a rapid strep test.

Strep throat is caused by Streptococcal bacteria. A throat culture test can determine the cause of your sore throat, but the process takes 2-3 days to complete. A rapid strep test offers answers in minutes, allowing for fast diagnosis and treatment.

If the test reveals signs of strep throat, treatment can begin immediately. If the result is negative, your physician will likely run a culture and consider other causes, like viruses.

How is a sore throat treated?

Treatment depends on what’s causing your sore throat. If you have a Streptococcal infection, a course of antibiotics can clear it. It’s important to complete the full course of medication, even if your symptoms clear up quickly.

If a viral infection is to blame for your sore throat, the best approach may be rest and over-the-counter medications to reduce symptoms. If your sore throat is suspected to be caused by a more serious issue, you’ll be referred to a specialist for more in-depth diagnostics.

Don’t suffer from a sore throat when there is fast and effective treatment available. Visit Cermak Immediate Care to find relief.

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