Exams and Tests

• The doctor will conduct a physical examination. Sore throats caused by viruses may look exactly like those caused by bacteria.

• The doctor looks for these conditions:
  • Signs of infection (redness, discharge, swollen lymph glands)
  • Abscess (a shift in 1 tonsil toward the center and a shift of the uvula away from the infected side)
  • Airway compromise (muffled speech, drooling, and inability to swallow)

• The doctor may order diagnostic tests that will look for strep infection. In some cases, the doctor may start antibiotic treatment without tests.

• If the doctor performs a rapid diagnostic test with a swab specimen from the back of the throat, positive results for strep throat may be available during the office visit. However, it typically takes 24-48 hours to confirm rapid test results of a bacterial infection.

• Rarely, other conditions such as diphtheria, a foreign body, or cancer may start with a sore throat. If an abscess or a more worrisome condition (cancer, diphtheria) appears to be present, the doctor may consult an ear, nose, and throat specialist.