When to Call Your Doctor Sore Throat

Call 911 Now
(you may need an ambulance) If:

Severe difficulty breathing (e.g. struggling for each breath, unable to speak)

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If:

	You feel weak or very sick
	Difficulty breathing, not from a blocked or stuffy nose
	Fever of 103°F (39.4°C) or higher
	Signs of dehydration (e.g. no urine in more than 12 hours, very dry mouth, very lightheaded)
	New drooling (can't swallow fluids) or having great difficulty swallowing
	Unable to open mouth completely

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours
(between 9 am and 4 pm) If:

	You think you need to be seen
	Sore throat pain is severe
	Pus on the tonsils (back of throat) along with fever
	Widespread rash (e.g. trunk and abdomen)
	Earache or sinus pain/pressure
	Sore throat is the main symptom and persists longer than 24 hours
	Sore throat is mild and lasts longer than 4 days
	Fever has lasted longer than 3 days
	Exposure to Strep in the past 2 weeks
	You have a history of having rheumatic fever
	You have diabetes mellitus or a weakened immune system (e.g. HIV positive, cancer chemotherapy, chronic steroid treatment, splenectomy)

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If:

You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home If:

Mild sore throat and you don’t think you need to be seen

Last reviewed: 10/1/2005
Last revised: 10/18/2005