Sore Throat: Are Antibiotics Necessary

A sore throat is a very nagging medical condition in which irritation and pain in the throat may also be accompanied by difficulty in swallowing. Most of the time a sore throat is caused due to a cold or viral infection. This type of sore throat is normally cured by some soothing decongestants and warm liquids. Normally, the sufferer doesn't need any antibiotics for a sore throat caused by viral infections; in fact, a sore throat caused by a viral infection cannot be cured by antibiotics at all.

Antibiotics are generally needed when the sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection. This condition is called a Streptococcus bacterium, or strep throat, and is a more severe type of sore throat. Strep throat causes acute pain in the throat with immense difficulty in swallowing. In some cases, the patient may even experience difficulty talking. Strep throat is often accompanied by high fever. A major sign to determine whether you have a bacterial or viral sore throat is that a bacterial sore throat is never accompanied by acute cough or runny nose, though a congested throat may cause light discharge from the nose.

If you think that you have a bacterial sore throat or strep throat, then you must immediately consult a doctor, as any kind of infection in our body should never be left unchecked for long. But never try to self-diagnose or self-medicate, as there could be dangerous drug interactions (even with herbal medicines).

Before prescribing anything, the doctor will do a mucous culture test around your tonsils. The culture test will show the extent of infection and which antibiotics will be effective in curing it. In some cases, a sore throat may even cause breathing problems. If you feel any such difficulties, consult your doctor immediately.