Coughs and Colds

It would be prudent for you to visit with your doctor because you may have "strep throat." Strep throat (an infection with streptococcal bacteria) can become complicated if it is not treated. Without adequate antibiotic treatment, it is possible for strep throat to change into a peritonsillar abscess (a pocket of pus in the throat) or to result in the medical illness "rheumatic fever."

If you are not found to have strep throat or if your symptoms persist for longer than a couple of weeks, you may want to talk with your doctor about other infections that can cause a sore throat. Several viral illnesses that persist for much longer than the common cold can cause throat pain with fever or lymph node swelling, such as infectious mononucleosis.