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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYour doctor will want to know what symptoms you've been having and how long you've had them. He or she will ask you a number of questions and do a physical examination to try to determine the cause of your sore throat.
What you can do
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing.
- Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements that you're taking.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. You might want to ask the following questions:
- What is the best treatment?
- Do you think I will experience any long-term complications?
- How can I prevent sore throats?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor will ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- When did the symptoms begin?
- How high has the fever been and how long has it lasted?
- How severe are the symptoms?
- Do you or your child have any allergies?
- Have you or your child had a cold, sinus infection or ear infection?
Your doctor may also do a throat culture to check for signs of a viral, bacterial or fungal infection.
What you can do in the meantime
To treat pain, you may take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) or naproxen (Aleve, others), or an analgesic pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Don't give aspirin to anyone younger than age 16, due to the risk of Reye's syndrome — a rare but serious condition. Giving over-the-counter cough or cold medications is also not recommended for children age 2 and younger.
