A sore throat which is not severe is usually treated conservatively with lots of fluids,  taking non-prescription throat lozenges, gargling with warm salt water several times daily, and also taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve pain.

In some cases, the sore throat may become severe, and  last more than 5-7 days, then it is necessary to seek seek medical help. Some of the more severe symptoms which suggest that the patient need medical attention include difficulty opening the mouth, swallowing, breathing, a prolonged sore throat, blood in saliva or phlegm, fever, earache, rash, lump in the neck and hoarseness lasting over 2 weeks.

It is important for the medical professional to diferentiate whether  the patient has a viral or a bacterial infection in the throat.  Antibiotics are medications that fight  bacteria, and are prescribed  appropriately after a throat culture confirms the diagnosis of a streptococcal or other bacterial infection. Usually, a course of oral penicillin or erythromycin is effective in treating a bacterial throat infection.  In the case of a bacterial strep throat infection, some physicians may recommend that the patient's family members also be treated with antibiotics, because strep infections are usually contagious, especially in families with young children.

Antibiotics are not effective against a viral throat infection.  If the strep culture test is negative, your physician will continue to treat the viral infection with a combination of fluid, throat lozenges, and either acetaminophen or ibuprofen.  Sometimes, the viral infection in the throat can lower the body's resistance to bacteria, and there may be a coexisiting bacterial infection which your physician may want to treat with a course of antibiotics as well. 

You cannot always avoid developing a bacterial strep infection, but you can take some precautionary measures, especially if another family member has a throat infection. You should avoid close physical contact, sharing towels, napkins and utensils with the infected person.  Health care professionals always advise frequent hand washing to reduce the risk of spreading common bacterial or viral infections.  Practicing good hygiene is the best approach at reducing the spread of these common infections.