A Sore Throat Can Be More Serious Than It Seems: 5 Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
A sore throat is one of the most common health complaints. It can happen after a cold, influenza, allergies, dry air, acid reflux, or a number of infections. Most cases improve on their own within several days.
But occasionally, a sore throat can be the first symptom of a serious infection or airway emergency.
The image above makes a dramatic claim about a 22-year-old woman who supposedly died only five days after developing a sore throat. Without reliable information about the individual case, that specific story should not be treated as established fact.
What is important, however, is the medical lesson behind the warning:
Certain symptoms accompanying a sore throat require urgent medical attention.
Here are five signs you should never simply ignore.
1. Difficulty Breathing
The most urgent warning sign is trouble breathing.
A severe infection or swelling in the throat can sometimes interfere with the airway. Conditions involving structures around the throat, such as epiglottitis or a deep neck infection, can become dangerous if swelling progresses.
Seek emergency medical attention if a person with a sore throat develops:
- Difficulty breathing
- Noisy or high-pitched breathing
- Severe shortness of breath
- A feeling that the throat is closing
- Blue or gray lips
- Severe weakness or confusion
Do not wait for the symptoms to become worse.
Breathing problems should always be treated as an emergency.
2. Difficulty Swallowing or Inability to Swallow Saliva
A typical sore throat may make swallowing uncomfortable.
But there is a major difference between painful swallowing and being unable to swallow.
If someone cannot swallow their saliva and begins drooling because swallowing is too difficult, that can indicate significant swelling or infection in the throat.
Other concerning symptoms include:
Drooling
Severe throat pain
Difficulty swallowing liquids
Muffled or unusual voice
Increasing swelling in the throat or neck
These symptoms can occur with conditions that require urgent evaluation.