What's with that sore throat?

For some reason, of the most reliable indicators that I'm on the verge of getting sick is a sore throat. And for me, trouble swallowing is my body's way of telling me that I'm working too hard, not getting enough sleep, not eating well. But a sore throat can be an indication that there's more wrong with your body than fatigue. Mono-nucelosis, Coxsackie virus, flu and Strep throat are sometimes serious viral infections that are characterized by a sore throat.

So how do you know if you should treat your sore throat with rest or a trip to the doctor? Look for other symptoms, including a fever of 101 or greater, difficulty swallowing, excessive drooling in a child, swollen lymph nodes, pus in the throat, and rash.

For more information, check out this article.