Online Sore Throat Treatment in Florida for Adults (Pharyngitis)
Fast MD-only sore throat care by secure video visit for adults in Florida, $49 flat-fee, no insurance required.
Sore throat (pharyngitis) is common and is most often caused by a virus. A smaller number of cases are bacterial, including Group A strep, and may benefit from antibiotics. TeleDirectMD evaluates symptoms using guideline-based decision tools to distinguish viral vs bacterial patterns, recommend testing when needed, and provide clear red-flag rules for urgent in-person care in Florida.
- $49 flat-fee visit
- MD-only evaluation and prescribing
- Guideline-based viral vs bacterial screening
- Supportive care plan for symptom relief
- Adults only, you must be in Florida at the time of the visit
Clinician note: TeleDirectMD care is MD-only and evidence-based. Your visit is reviewed by a physician (Parth Bhavsar, MD). For sore throat, we prioritize careful screening for airway risk, severe infection, and complications, and we avoid unnecessary antibiotics when a viral cause is most likely.
What We Review During Your Visit
- Symptom timeline and fever history
- Cough, runny nose, and viral features
- Swollen glands, tonsil findings, and strep likelihood
- Exposure risks and return-to-work guidance
Adults only (18+). If you have trouble breathing, drooling, inability to swallow fluids, severe neck swelling, confusion, or severe dehydration, seek urgent in-person care.
Quick Answers
- Most sore throats are viral and do not need antibiotics
- Strep is more likely with fever, tender neck nodes, and no cough
- Telehealth works best when you are stable and able to swallow fluids
- Antibiotics are used only when clinically indicated or confirmed by testing
- You must be physically located in Florida at the time of the visit
What Is a Sore Throat (Pharyngitis)?
Pharyngitis is inflammation of the back of the throat. Viral infections are the most common cause in adults and often come with cough, congestion, or hoarseness. Bacterial pharyngitis, including Group A Streptococcus, is less common but matters because antibiotics can reduce complications and shorten symptom duration in confirmed cases.
TeleDirectMD focuses on adults with stable symptoms and uses decision tools to estimate strep likelihood and decide whether supportive care alone is appropriate or whether rapid testing and antibiotics are needed.
Sore Throat Symptoms and Red Flags
Use this table to understand what can often be handled by video visit and what requires urgent in-person evaluation.
| Symptom | What it suggests | Telehealth appropriate? | Red flag requiring urgent in-person care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sore throat with cough, runny nose, or hoarseness | Often viral pharyngitis | Often yes | Shortness of breath, drooling, or inability to swallow fluids |
| Fever with tender neck nodes and no cough | Higher likelihood of strep | Often yes | Severe neck swelling, muffled voice, or one-sided throat swelling |
| Tonsil exudate or very inflamed tonsils | Possible strep or mono | Often yes for triage | Trismus, severe one-sided pain, uvula deviation, or suspected abscess |
| Rash with sore throat and fever | Possible scarlet fever or viral exanthem | Often yes for triage | Rapidly worsening rash, blistering rash, or severe systemic illness |
| Severe fatigue with sore throat | Mono possible | Often yes | Abdominal pain or left upper quadrant pain, fainting, or severe dehydration |
What Else Can Feel Like a Sore Throat?
- Viral upper respiratory infection: cough, congestion, hoarseness, body aches.
- Group A strep: fever, tender anterior neck nodes, no cough, tonsillar exudate.
- Infectious mononucleosis: fatigue, swollen nodes, prolonged symptoms.
- Postnasal drip: throat clearing, allergies, nighttime symptoms.
- GERD or laryngopharyngeal reflux: morning throat irritation, sour taste, chronic cough.
- Peritonsillar abscess: severe one-sided pain, muffled voice, drooling, trismus.
When a Florida Video Visit Is Appropriate vs. When to Go In-Person
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate
- Adult 18+ located in Florida at the time of the visit
- Sore throat with mild to moderate symptoms and stable breathing
- Able to swallow fluids and take oral medication
- No severe one-sided swelling or inability to open the mouth
- No confusion, fainting, or severe dehydration
Red Flags Requiring In-Person or ER Care
- Difficulty breathing, drooling, or inability to swallow fluids
- Muffled voice, trismus, or severe one-sided throat swelling
- Neck swelling that is rapidly worsening
- Severe dehydration or persistent vomiting
- Confusion, fainting, chest pain, or severe shortness of breath
How TeleDirectMD Treats Sore Throat in Florida
During your $49 MD-only video visit, the physician reviews your symptom timeline, exposures, and clinical features that increase or decrease the likelihood of strep. When strep is unlikely, we focus on comfort measures and clear return precautions. When strep is more likely, we discuss rapid testing and antibiotic options when clinically appropriate.
Supportive Care for Viral Sore Throat
- Warm fluids, honey (if tolerated), saltwater gargles
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen when appropriate for you
- Throat lozenges or sprays for short-term relief
- Hydration and rest
Antibiotic Stewardship
Antibiotics do not treat viral sore throat and can cause side effects and resistance. TeleDirectMD prescribes antibiotics only when clinical features and testing support a bacterial cause.
| Medication | Dose | Duration | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penicillin VK | 500 mg by mouth BID | 10 days | Confirmed or high-likelihood Group A strep when appropriate |
| Amoxicillin | 500 mg by mouth BID | 10 days | Alternative first-line for confirmed or high-likelihood strep when appropriate |
| Cephalexin | 500 mg by mouth BID | 10 days | Selected patients when appropriate and no immediate-type penicillin allergy |
| Azithromycin | 500 mg by mouth once on day 1, then 250 mg by mouth once daily on days 2 to 5 | 5 days | Selected patients with penicillin allergy when appropriate, local resistance considerations apply |
TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances. If your symptoms suggest airway compromise, deep neck infection, or severe systemic illness, we will recommend urgent in-person evaluation rather than telehealth treatment.
Home Care and Return to Work
Most viral sore throats improve within several days. If strep is confirmed and antibiotics are started, many patients feel improvement within 24 to 48 hours. To reduce spread, avoid close contact while feverish and practice good hand hygiene.
- Do not share drinks, utensils, or toothbrushes while symptomatic
- Replace your toothbrush after 24 hours of antibiotics if strep is treated
- Seek urgent care if symptoms worsen, swallowing becomes difficult, or breathing feels tight
About TeleDirectMD’s Online Sore Throat Care in Florida
TeleDirectMD is a physician-led virtual urgent care service providing MD-only video visits for adults in Florida and 25+ other states. Each visit is a $49 flat-fee with no insurance required. Prescriptions are sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy when clinically appropriate.
Adults only. You must be physically located in Florida at the time of your visit.
Florida Sore Throat Telehealth FAQ
Can TeleDirectMD treat sore throat in Florida by video visit?
Yes. TeleDirectMD provides MD-only video visits for adults located in Florida with sore throat symptoms who are stable and do not have airway or severe infection red flags.
How do you tell viral sore throat from strep?
Viral sore throat is more likely with cough, runny nose, hoarseness, or congestion. Strep is more likely with fever, tender front neck nodes, and no cough. Your MD reviews these features and may recommend rapid testing when appropriate.
Do I need a strep test?
Not always. Many adults have a viral pattern and do not need testing. If your symptoms increase the likelihood of strep, your MD may recommend rapid testing in Florida and discuss treatment options based on results and clinical context.
Will you prescribe antibiotics for sore throat?
Antibiotics are prescribed only when clinically appropriate, typically when strep is confirmed or strongly suspected. Most sore throats are viral and do not benefit from antibiotics.
What sore throat symptoms are an emergency?
Trouble breathing, drooling, inability to swallow fluids, muffled voice, severe one-sided swelling, trismus, confusion, fainting, or severe dehydration require urgent in-person or emergency evaluation.
Can you help if I have fever and swollen glands?
Yes. Fever and swollen glands can occur with viral infections, strep, or mono. Your MD will review your pattern, timeline, and risk factors and advise supportive care, testing, or in-person evaluation when needed.
What home treatments help sore throat pain?
Warm fluids, saltwater gargles, lozenges, throat sprays, hydration, and appropriate use of acetaminophen or ibuprofen can reduce pain and inflammation.
When can I return to work?
Many adults can return when fever is gone and symptoms are improving. If strep is treated, many workplaces accept return after 24 hours of antibiotics and improving symptoms, depending on your job requirements.
Can you provide a work note?
TeleDirectMD can usually provide a brief work note when medically appropriate as part of the $49 visit. We do not complete long-term disability, FMLA, or accommodation paperwork.
Is TeleDirectMD available across Florida?
Yes. As long as you are physically located in Florida at the time of the video visit, you can be evaluated. Prescriptions are sent electronically to your preferred Florida pharmacy when appropriate.
Can you treat mono by telehealth?
Telehealth can triage and guide supportive care, but testing and in-person evaluation may be recommended depending on severity, duration, and exam concerns. If mono is suspected, your MD will discuss activity restriction and when to seek testing in Florida.