Uh oh. The first thing you notice when you wake up one morning is that it hurts to swallow. Are you getting sick?

There are several reasons why your throat might be suddenly sore, but not all of them have to do with an actual illness.

Physician Dr. Elisabeth Fowlie Mock, MD, a member of the board at the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), explains to USA TODAY why your throat might be painful when you swallow, and how you can best go about healing it.

Why does my throat hurt when I swallow?

Your throat could be sore or painful while swallowing for a number of reasons.

You could be sick with a virus, such as the cold or flu, according to the AAFP. It could be a more serious illness, such as tonsillitis, strep throat or mononucleosis (mono). Outside of illness, allergies, smoking, breathing through your mouth while sleeping and going under general anesthesia can also cause your throat to hurt when swallowing.

"For adults, a virus is a very common culprit, but allergies or a dry climate can also cause that scratchy discomfort we all know," Mock says. "In children, especially preschool or elementary school age, strep throat – which is a bacterial infection – is common."

How long does swallowing pain usually last?

The length of your sore throat symptoms depend on the cause of the pain, according to the AAFP.

  • Colds and flu-like viruses. Seven to 10 days.
  • Bacterial infections and strep throat. Usually "a few days" after beginning antibiotics, though it's important to finish taking all prescribed antibiotics even if you're starting to feel better before you've gone through the whole bottle.
  • Mono. Can last for for four weeks or longer.
  • Allergies. May last until allergies get under control. Your doctor can help you identify allergy triggers and potentially recommend medication.
  • Tonsillitis. If this is a frequent, recurring issue, doctors may recommend a tonsillectomy.

"Sore throats often must run their course," Mock says. "You are contagious while you’re having symptoms so do not share food or drinks with others, mask up and wash your hands if you’re feeling bad. And always keep your family physician in the loop. We’re here to help."

The good news: There are measures you can take at home to help soothe your throat in the meantime.

"Take full advantage of cough drops, warm drinks like tea or salt water and humid spaces, like a hot shower," Mock suggests. "If you have a humidifier, set that up in the room you sleep in to help ease discomfort. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication, but confirm with your family physician what type is best for you."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 4 soothing ways to help a sore throat

Reporting by Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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