the most common cause of sore throat is a virus and most will last about a week unless of course you are developing a particularly nasty viral infection called mononucleosis (mono). if your sore throat does not resolve in a week your doctor should consider ordering a mono test (ebv panel). hopefully you had a culture done (takes 2-3 days) since rapid strep tests are not 100% accurate. as far as what to do about your "extreme pain" i am at a loss since i really have no way of seeing your throat or review your medical history. gargling with warm saline (1/4 tsp of table salt with 8 oz of warm water) can help. ibuprofen can help. again it is not typical to have extreme pain with a simple viral sore throat so you may need to be re-examined.
i have a sore throat but no fever and i don't have strep. what's wrong? what can i do to heal my throat? . i have already taken a strep test and i do not have strep. i am in extreme pain when i eat and whenever i swallow.