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Throat Problems

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Tenderness with swallowing or pain in the back of the throat, along with other cold and flu symptoms, is common. This chart will direct you in the appropriate care for this common problem.
SYMPTOMS   DIAGNOSIS   SELF-CARE
Begin Here        
1. Do you have a fever? No --> Go to Question 7.*    
Yes, go down        
2. Do you have aches, headache, cough or runny nose? Yes --> Your symptoms are probably from a COLD or FLU. --> Use simple cold and flu medicines. Children should be given nonaspirin medicine for the fever. If the cold lasts longer than two to three days, consult your doctor.
No, go down        
3. Do you have the above symptoms with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea? Yes --> You may have viral GASTROENTERITIS. --> Use an antinausea and/or antidiarrheal medicine. See your doctor if symptoms become severe or if they last longer than a week.
No, go down        
4. When you look at the back of the throat, do you see white patches on the tonsils? Yes --> You may have STREP THROAT or MONONUCLEOSIS. --> See your doctor.
No, go down        
5. Do you have a persistent cough or are you coughing mucus? Yes --> These symptoms may be from BRONCHITIS or PNEUMONIA or POST-NASAL DRIP. --> These illnesses need prescription treatments. See your doctor.
No, go down        
6. Is the person a child with a harsh barking cough? Yes --> A dry barking cough often means CROUP or, less commonly, EPIGLOTTITIS. --> See your doctor right away if there is shortness of breath. Croup and other respiratory infections may need treatment by your doctor.
*7. Do you have small, open sores on the tongue, inside the lips or on the sides or back of the mouth? Yes --> These sores are called CANKER SORES. They usually occur by themselves or wth other viral illnesses. --> Most will heal in seven to 14 days. Use an anesthetic spray or an analgesic medicine. If the sores are severe, last longer than expected, or are accompanied by other symptoms, see your doctor.
No, go down        
8. Is the skin in your mouth peeling, and are your tongue and gums swollen and red? Yes --> This may be from TRENCH MOUTH, an infection of the gums, teeth and other tissues. A rare drug reaction, STEVENS-JOHNSON REACTION, may also cause this. --> See your dentist or doctor. Poor dental hygiene may lead to this disease. Brush your teeth and floss as recommended by your dentist.
No, go down        
9. Do you have white patches and redness on your tongue or on the sides or back of your mouth? Yes --> You may have ORAL THRUSH, a yeast infection in your mouth. --> This may be a simple infection, or it may come from another, more serious illness. See your doctor if it returns or doesn't go away.
No, go down        
For more information, please consult your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call right away.

This tool has been reviewed by doctors and is for general educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information in this tool should not be relied upon to make decisions about your health. Always consult your family doctor with questions about your individual condition(s) and/or circumstances. Source: American Academy of Family Physicians. Family Health & Medical Guide. Dallas: Word Publishing; 1996.

Copyright © 2006 American Academy of Family Physicians
 

 
 
 

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