PlushCare / Online Doctor / Primary Care / Acute Pharyngitis
In order to treat your acute pharyngitis, consult with one of our board-certified doctors today to evaluate your symptoms and prescribe medication to treat throat pain, if you qualify. Get a new prescription to treat acute pharyngitis or refill an existing prescription today.
Medication services available 24/7 for adults and kids (3+)
Top quality, board-certified doctors
No insurance needed
Same-day prescriptions available*
*Disclaimer: PlushCare doctors cannot treat all cases of acute pharyngitis. Our primary care physicians can conduct an initial evaluation of your symptoms, but may need to refer you to a specialist or for in-person treatment. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less. Otherwise, new patient visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $69 for members.
Step 1
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
Step 2
Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
Step 3
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
Step 1
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
Step 2
Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
Step 3
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
How pricing works
To request acute pharyngitis treatment and get a new prescription or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits.
$14.99/month
First month free
Copay
For all visits
Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!
$14.99/month
First month free
$129
Repeats only $69
Initial visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $69 for active members.
If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.
Pharyngitis, commonly known as a sore throat, is an inflammation of the pharynx. Acute pharyngitis is often caused by a viral and/or bacterial infection, such as the common cold and flu (viral infections) or Streptococcus bacterium infection (strep throat). Viral pharyngitis can also occur with mononucleosis (“mono”).
According to the American Osteopathic Association, pharyngitis sore throat is one of the most common reasons for doctor visits and sick days.
There are several viruses and bacterial strains that can cause pharyngitis, including:
In many cases, acute pharyngitis is caused by a viral infection that your body will fight off over time, so treatment usually aims to treat acute throat symptoms. When an acute sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection (bacterial pharyngitis), antibiotic therapy is the best course of treatment.
In many cases, acute pharyngitis is treated with symptomatic treatment, which focuses on alleviating uncomfortable symptoms. Depending on the cause of your sore throat, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter medication or antibiotic therapy to relieve symptoms.
For symptom relief, consider taking over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). Throat lozenges can also help ease a sore throat.
Prescription medication includes antibiotics. Antibiotic treatment is ineffective against viral pharyngitis, but your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat an acute infection. Before prescribing antibiotics, your doctor may look for specific sore throat symptoms, such as fever, tender lymph nodes, and pus on the tonsils.
If your doctor determines that antibiotic treatment is the right choice for you, they may prescribe one of the following medications:
According to the Centers for Disease Control, penicillin treatment and amoxicillin treatment are the most common antibiotic therapies for strep throat. It is important to take the entire course of antibiotics to prevent the infection from returning or worsening.
Pharyngitis is contagious, and there are several ways to reduce your risk of developing a sore throat. To prevent pharyngitis:
In most cases, an acute sore throat will improve with at-home treatment. With that said, you should see a doctor for your sore throat if:
If you have any of the above-mentioned symptoms, you may have bacterial pharyngitis. In that case, your health care provider may recommend antibiotic therapy.
In most cases, an acute sore throat will go away without treatment in a week or less. Antibiotic treatment is not effective in cases of pharyngitis caused by a viral infection, and most doctors will only prescribe antibiotics when bacterial pharyngitis lingers.
Most treatments for pharyngitis can be carried out at home, and many over-the-counter products are available for symptomatic treatment. Some remedies to treat pharyngitis include:
Numerous clinical symptoms are associated with pharyngitis.
Some of the most common sore throat symptoms include:
In many cases, the best treatment for an acute sore throat is at-home treatments, such as over-the-counter pain relievers and rest. If your sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection, your health care provider may recommend antibiotic therapy to fight the infection.
The best medicine will depend on the cause of your sore throat.
If you have a viral infection, over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, can provide pain relief. If you have a bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe amoxicillin or penicillin to treat the infection.
Antibiotics are not always the best course of treatment for a sore throat. If you have a viral infection, antibiotic treatment will be ineffective. If you have a bacterial infection, your doctor may provide an antibiotic prescription to fight the infection.
Most cases of acute pharyngitis will go away within a week without treatment. However, at-home treatment options and appropriate antibiotic use (when recommended by your doctor) can help speed up the healing process.
In contrast, a chronic sore throat often lasts much longer, often up to several weeks. If your sore throat does not improve with at-home treatment, talk to your doctor to address the underlying problem and determine the best treatment option.
The most common causes of acute pharyngitis in adult patients are viral infections, such as the common cold, the flu, and mononucleosis. Because viral infections do not respond to antibiotics, treatment typically focuses on symptom relief.
There are several home remedies to help relieve the symptoms of a sore throat. The following may help to relieve your symptoms:
-Drinking warm chamomile tea with honey
-Gargling salt water, licorice root, or diluted apple cider vinegar at least once an hour
-Taking diluted peppermint oil sprays to relieve inflammation
-Adding a garlic supplement to your diet
-Using anesthetic sprays to relieve certain symptoms, such as pain and itching
You can also use over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Aspirin) to relieve throat pain. Before taking OTC medication, be sure to read the directions on the label and take the suggested amount.
If you are not sure what you can safely take, ask your doctor. This is especially true if you are pregnant or may become pregnant, as some herbal remedies may not be safe during pregnancy.
