Throat See

Throat See

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An ENT doctor Los Angeles residents see because of throat issues will need to examine the throat in some way to make an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment recommendations. Whether you are coming to a throat infection specialist Los Angeles sore throat sufferers like you often visit because of chronic sore throats or infections, chronic throat pain, laryngitis, or some other concern, there are certain examination methods often used.
Laryngoscopy
If there is a need for a more detailed throat examination beyond an initial visual exam of the throat, an instrument called a laryngoscope is often used. It’s what’s used as part of a technique called a laryngoscopy . An ENT doctor in Los Angeles may perform this type of throat exam to learn more about sources of throat discomfort that may include:
A laryngoscopy may also be done if there is difficulty swallowing. Another reason for using this examination method is to find out if a persistent earache may be related to something in the throat.
Prior to using the laryngoscope, an ENT specialist may recommend other tests, such as a CT scan, chest X-ray, barium swallow test , or general physical exam to rule out or confirm other possible sources of throat pain. As for how a laryngoscopy is done, it can be done directly or indirectly.
Direct Laryngoscopy
A direct laryngoscopy is usually done in a doctor’s office or hospital with sedation, meaning nothing will be felt during the examination. A flexible telescope is inserted into the mouth and nose to access and view the throat. The scope can be used to view the “voice box” or larynx and other throat structures. Samples can also be collected with the scope. If necessary, growths or objects lodged in the throat may be removed via the scope as well.
Indirect Laryngoscopy
The indirect method is done with the numbing medication or local anesthetic while sitting in a chair. This type of laryngoscopy involves the use of a mirror to view the throat. If you have this type of throat examination, you may also be asked to make certain sounds to stimulate the larynx, or to simply say “ahh.”
Throat Examinations in Children
A pediatric ENT doctor Los Angeles parents go to see because a child has throat issues may take additional steps. With a throat examination in children , a younger child is often kept on the adult’s lap. While facing forward, a hand is placed on the child’s head to keep it by the chest of the adult holding the child. If there is a need to insert a laryngoscope, this part of the examination is usually saved for last after an initial visual examination is done.
A chronic sore throat specialist Los Angeles patients visit will use results from a thorough examination to put together a personalized treatment plan. In some instances, this may involve medication. Other times, outpatient throat surgery may be recommended. Contact us today to learn more.
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Chronic Sore Throat: How Long It Lasts and Treatment

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Why do I have a chronic sore throat but no fever?

Is chronic sore throat a sign of tonsillitis?

What’s the longest I should wait before seeing a healthcare provider for a sore throat?

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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Tonsillitis vs. Strep: What’s the Difference?

Acid Reflux Sore Throat Remedies: Habits & Medicines

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Patty is a registered nurse with over a decade of experience in pediatric critical care. Her passion is writing health and wellness content that anyone can understand and use.
John Carew, MD, is board-certified in otolaryngology and is an adjunct assistant professor at New York University Medical Center.

A chronic sore throat is defined as throat soreness that lasts for 14 days or more. 1 A sore throat can be caused by several conditions. However, when it is chronic, it is most commonly not caused by an infection. 1

Working with a healthcare provider to find the underlying cause of chronic throat pain will help determine the right treatment plan. The top causes are chronic tonsillitis , allergies, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although rare, a chronic sore throat can occasionally be a sign of throat cancer. 2

This article will cover the different causes of chronic throat pain and treatment options. It will also cover the differences between a chronic and acute sore throat and each condition's symptoms.

An average sore throat lasts about five to 10 days. 3 When the pain and soreness last two weeks or longer then it is considered a chronic sore throat.

How long a sore throat lasts will depend greatly on its cause. If the cause is an infection, the pain and soreness will go away when the infection subsides. However, if the sore throat is from a condition or illness that does not go away on its own, the sore throat will linger.

Acute and chronic are two medical terms used to describe types of illnesses. Acute means it develops suddenly and doesn't last for a long time. Chronic means that it develops slowly and can last for a long time or indefinitely.

A sore throat can be categorized as either acute or chronic. An acute sore throat is most commonly caused by a viral infection. 4 It can also be caused by a Streptococcus bacterial infection, widely known as strep throat . Acute sore throats usually get better over time with over-the-counter medications, fluids, and rest. If someone has strep throat, then they need antibiotic treatment. 4

A chronic sore throat is usually caused by a noninfectious source. 1 The causes could be allergies, reflux, or medications. Chronic sore throat treatment should focus on resolving the underlying cause and symptom management.

One of the most common symptoms of a chronic sore throat is odynophagia , the medical term for painful swallowing. Other throat symptoms include: 1

Chronic throat pain is known to radiate, causing pain in the ear and the temporomandibular joint . 1

The underlying cause of a chronic sore throat will influence symptoms. One example would be a chronic sore throat due to allergies , which would also cause a runny nose, cough, fever, and congestion.

A chronic sore throat is not contagious by itself. However, some of the causes of chronic sore throat are contagious, while others are not.

If bacteria or a virus causes a sore throat, then it is contagious. If allergies, GERD , or other noninfectious causes result in a sore throat, then it is not contagious.

Infections tend to be the main cause of acute throat pain. However, medical conditions usually cause chronic throat pain. A 2019 study found that the most common causes of chronic throat pain are: 1

The 2019 study also found that 39% of study participants with chronic throat pain were chronic smokers and 31% were addicted to alcohol. If you are a smoker or drinker and have a sore throat, you should see a healthcare provider because these are risk factors for throat cancer.

One of the more common symptoms of COVID-19 is a sore throat. 5 The soreness should subside after the infection has resolved. If soreness continues or causes any difficulty breathing contact a healthcare provider.

If a sore throat lasts more than five to 10 days contact a healthcare provider. Other reasons to contact a healthcare provider are: 3

Sore throat treatment should aim to resolve the underlying cause. A healthcare provider may order tests to help determine the cause.

Prescription antibiotics may prove necessary in the event of bacterial infection. Over-the-counter medications like Aleve ( naproxen ) and Advil ( ibuprofen ) can help reduce throat pain and swelling.

Products from home can often manage a sore throat. Some remedies to try include: 3

A chronic sore throat is throat pain that lasts for two weeks or more. It is generally not caused by an infection but by a medical condition.

Some of the more common conditions that cause chronic throat pain are chronic tonsillitis, GERD, and allergies. Throat cancer can cause chronic sore throat, so any throat pain lasting longer than two weeks should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Treatment should aim to fix the underlying condition and manage throat pain. If a bacterial infection causes throat pain, then antibiotics may prove necessary. Home remedies and over-the-counter medication can also help reduce throat pain and its other symptoms.

Throat pain can make it hard to eat, swallow, and talk. Try using over-the-counter pain medication and home remedies to minimize the pain. If pain lasts five to 10 days, contact a healthcare provider. Throat pain that lasts that long is likely not the result of an infection and may need medical attention to go away.

A fever is the body's response to infection. A chronic sore throat without a fever could mean that the sore throat is not the result of an infection. Medical conditions that can cause a chronic sore throat are GERD and allergies.
Yes, chronic sore throat is sometimes a sign of tonsillitis . A virus or bacteria can cause tonsillitis. A healthcare provider can help identify the specific cause to effectively treat tonsillitis.
If a sore throat lasts five to 10 days, it's time to see a healthcare provider. They will be able to help identify the cause and determine a proper treatment plan.
Krüger K, Töpfner N, Berner R, Windfuhr J, Oltrogge JH. Sore throat . Dtsch Arztebl Int . 2021;118(11):188-194. doi:10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0121
Kundu S, Dutta M, Adhikary BK, Ghosh B. Encountering chronic sore throat: how challenging is it for the otolaryngologists? Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg . 2019;71(Suppl 1):176-181. doi:10.1007/s12070-017-1191-5
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Sore throats .
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sore throat .
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms of COVID-19 .

By Patty Weasler, RN, BSN

Patty is a registered nurse with over a decade of experience in pediatric critical care. Her passion is writing health and wellness content that anyone can understand and use.

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Strep Throat: More common in children

Up to 3 in 10 children with a sore throat have strep throat
About 1 in 10 adults with a sore throat has strep throat

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Worried your sore throat may be strep throat? Doctors can do a quick test to see if a sore throat is strep throat. Antibiotics can help people with strep throat feel better faster and prevent spreading it to others.
Viruses are the most common cause of a sore throat. However, strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep).
Group A strep live in the nose and throat and can easily spread to other people. People who are infected spread the bacteria by talking, coughing, or sneezing, which creates small respiratory droplets that contain the bacteria. They can also spread the bacteria from infected sores on their skin.
It usually takes two to five days for someone exposed to group A strep to become ill with strep throat.
It is important to know that some infected people do not have symptoms or seem sick. People sick with strep throat are much more contagious than those who do not have symptoms.
Rarely, people can spread group A strep through food that is not handled properly (visit CDC’s food safety page ).
In general, strep throat is a mild infection, but it can be very painful. The most common symptoms of strep throat include:
Other symptoms may include a headache, stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting — especially in children. Someone with strep throat may also have a rash; when this happens it is known as scarlet fever (scarlatina).
The following symptoms suggest a virus is the cause of the illness instead of strep throat:
A sore throat that starts quickly, pain with swallowing, and fever are some of the common signs and symptoms of strep throat.
Anyone can get strep throat, but there are some factors that can increase the risk of getting this common infection.
Strep throat is more common in children than adults. It is most common in children 5 through 15 years old. It is very rare in children younger than 3 years old.
Adults who are at increased risk for strep throat include:
Close contact with another person with strep throat is the most common risk factor for illness. For example, if someone has strep throat, the bacteria often spread to other people in their household.
Infectious illnesses tend to spread wherever large groups of people gather. Crowded settings can increase the risk of getting a group A strep infection. These settings include:
A doctor will determine what type of illness you have by asking about symptoms and doing a physical exam. If they think you might have strep throat, they will swab your throat to test for strep throat. There are two types of tests for strep throat: a rapid strep test and throat culture.
A rapid strep test involves swabbing the throat and running a test on the swab. The test quickly shows if group A strep is causing the illness. If the test is positive, doctors can prescribe antibiotics. If the test is negative, but a doctor still suspects strep throat, then the doctor can take a throat culture swab. A throat culture takes time to see if group A strep bacteria grow from the swab. While it takes more time, a throat culture sometimes finds infections that the rapid strep test misses. Culture is important to use in children and teens since they can get rheumatic fever from an untreated strep throat infection. For adults, it is usually not necessary to do a throat culture following a negative rapid strep test. Adults are generally not at risk of getting rheumatic fever following a strep throat infection.
Someone with strep throat should start feeling better in just a day or two after starting antibiotics. Call the doctor if you or your child are not feeling better after taking antibiotics for 48 hours.
Doctors treat strep throat with antibiotics. Either penicillin or amoxicillin are recommended as a first choice for people who are not allergic to penicillin. Doctors can use other antibiotics to treat strep throat in people who are allergic to penicillin.
Someone who tests positive for strep throat but has no symptoms (called a “carrier”) usually does not need antibiotics. They are less likely to spread the bacteria to others and very unlikely to get complications. If a carrier gets a sore throat illness caused by a virus, the rapid strep test can be positive. In these cases, it can be hard to know what is causing the sore throat. If someone keeps getting a sore throat after taking the right antibiotics, they may be a strep carrier and have a viral throat infection. Talk to a doctor if you think you or your child may be a strep carrier.
Complications can occur after a strep throat infection. This can happen if the bacteria spread to other parts of the body. Complications can include:
People can get strep throat more than once. Having strep throat does not protect someone from getting it again in the future. While there is no vaccine to prevent strep throat, there are things people can do to protect themselves and others.
Good hygiene helps prevent group A strep infections
The best way to keep from getting or spreading group A strep is to wash your hands often. This is especially important after coughing or sneezing and before preparing foods or eating.
To prevent group A strep infections, you should:
You should also wash glasses, utensils, and plates after someone who is sick uses them. These items are safe for others to use once washed.
Wash your hands often to help prevent germs from spreading.
Antibiotics help prevent spreading the infection to others
People with strep throat should stay home from work, school, or daycare until they:
Take the prescription exactly as the doctor says to. Don’t stop taking the medicine, even if you or your child feel better, unless the doctor says to stop. You can find more guidance on taking antibiotics on CDC’s Antibiotic Do’s & Don’ts Page .
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