Despite the unseasonably hot weather this summer, cold season is fast approaching, and with it, sore throats. There seems to be a lot of confusion with many patients about needing antibiotics to treat a sore throat. Well, a sore throat may or may not need antibiotics.

Medical providers usually diagnose the cause of a sore throat on the basis of a physical exam and lab tests. During the exam, the provider looks for signs and symptoms of an infection, such as fever, enlarged lymph nodes and redness and swelling on the tonsils.

Although there may be signs indicating an infection, appearance alone doesn't indicate whether it's viral or bacterial. This is important to know because only bacterial infections respond to antibiotics.

For that reason, the doctor may opt to use one or more of the following tests to check for the presence of bacteria, including bacteria that cause strep throat:

* Throat culture. For this test, a sterile swab is rubbed over the back of the throat and tonsils. The sample is then cultured in a laboratory for the presence of bacteria, but results may take as long as two days.

* Rapid antigen test. Because of lack of availability or the waiting period for a throat culture, your doctor may order a rapid antigen test on the swab sample. This test can detect strep bacteria in minutes. But rapid strep tests have a downside: they may miss some strep throat infections. If the test is negative, the medical provider will still use throat cultures to ensure the best care is given.

If you have a bacterial infection, antibiotics will be ordered. It is important that all the medication is taken, even if the sore throat is gone. If all the medication is not taken the infection may return.

If you have a viral infection and the symptoms are severe, you will be given medication to help ease the pain and swelling. The medication can be stopped when you no longer need it. Usually the viral throat infection resolves in a week.

For any questions regarding this information please feel free to contact Maureen Parker, R.N., Population Health, Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, at (760)719-3068 or maureen.h.parker.civ@mail.mil.

For more news from Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, visit http://www.navy.mil/.