Online Sore Throat Treatment in Florida for Adults (Acute Pharyngitis)
MD-only sore throat evaluation by secure video visit for adults in Florida, $49 flat-fee, no insurance required.
Most sore throats are viral and improve with time and supportive care. A smaller portion are bacterial, most commonly group A strep, where antibiotics may help reduce complications and shorten symptoms. TeleDirectMD evaluates your symptoms, exposure history, and red flags, and can recommend testing and treatment when appropriate for adults in Florida.
- $49 flat-fee visit
- MD-only evaluation, adult-only care
- Guideline-based viral vs bacterial assessment
- Antibiotic stewardship and testing guidance
- Adults only, you must be in Florida at the time of the visit
Last reviewed by Parth Bhavsar, MD on 12/24/25.
Clinician note: Most sore throats are self-limited. If you have trouble breathing, drooling, inability to swallow fluids, severe one-sided throat swelling, muffled voice, dehydration, or a rapidly worsening course, urgent in-person evaluation is recommended.
Common Causes
- Viral URI or COVID-19
- Strep throat
- Post-nasal drip from allergies
- Reflux irritation
Drooling, difficulty breathing, or inability to swallow fluids can be emergency signs. Do not rely on telehealth.
Quick Answers
- Most sore throats are viral and do not need antibiotics
- Strep throat is more likely with fever, no cough, tender neck nodes, and tonsillar exudate
- Testing guides antibiotic use to avoid unnecessary side effects and resistance
- Severe trouble swallowing, drooling, or breathing symptoms require urgent in-person evaluation
- You must be physically located in Florida at the time of the visit
What Is Acute Pharyngitis?
Acute pharyngitis means inflammation of the throat and tonsils. It is usually caused by respiratory viruses. Group A strep is the main bacterial cause that may benefit from antibiotics. TeleDirectMD evaluates symptom pattern, risk factors, and red flags, and can help you decide whether to pursue rapid strep testing or supportive care.
We also consider other causes such as allergies with post-nasal drip, reflux, or viral infections like influenza and COVID-19 depending on your symptoms and exposures.
Sore Throat Symptoms and Red Flags
Telehealth works best for typical sore throats. This table highlights when video care is appropriate and when urgent in-person evaluation may be safer.
| Finding | What it suggests | Telehealth appropriate? | Red flag requiring urgent in-person care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sore throat with runny nose or cough | Viral pharyngitis | Often yes | Trouble breathing or drooling |
| Fever, no cough, tender neck nodes, tonsillar exudate | Possible strep throat | Often yes with testing | Inability to swallow fluids or dehydration |
| One-sided throat pain with ear pain | Peritonsillar abscess concern | Sometimes for triage | Muffled hot potato voice, trismus, uvula deviation |
| Hoarseness and throat clearing | Reflux or post-nasal drip | Often yes | Neck swelling or rapidly worsening pain |
| White patches that scrape off with burning mouth | Possible thrush | Often yes | Severe pain with swallowing or immune suppression concerns |
What Else Can Cause a Sore Throat?
- Viral URI: sore throat with cough, congestion, and runny nose.
- Strep throat: fever and throat pain without cough, may have exudate.
- Influenza or COVID-19: systemic symptoms, fever, aches, exposure history.
- Allergies: post-nasal drip with throat irritation and itchy eyes.
- GERD: reflux irritation, hoarseness, worse when lying down.
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
- Able to swallow liquids and stay hydrated
- No breathing difficulty or drooling
- Open to testing guidance when strep is possible
Red Flags Requiring In-Person or ER Care
- Trouble breathing, drooling, or inability to swallow fluids
- Severe one-sided throat swelling, muffled voice, or trismus
- Rapidly worsening symptoms or neck swelling
- Severe dehydration or inability to keep fluids down
- Concern for severe allergic reaction with breathing symptoms
Sore Throat Treatment Options
Treatment depends on whether your sore throat is viral, bacterial, or due to irritation from allergies or reflux. TeleDirectMD uses antibiotic stewardship and recommends antibiotics only when bacterial infection is likely or confirmed.
Supportive Care for Most Viral Sore Throats
- Warm salt-water gargles and throat lozenges
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen as needed for pain and fever
- Hydration and rest
- Honey in warm tea when appropriate
Medication Table
| Medication | Dose | Duration | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetaminophen | 650 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed | As needed | Pain and fever support |
| Ibuprofen | 400 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed | As needed | Pain and inflammation support when appropriate |
| Penicillin V | 500 mg by mouth BID | 10 days | Confirmed strep throat or high clinical suspicion with testing guidance |
| Amoxicillin | 500 mg by mouth BID | 10 days | Alternative first-line for confirmed strep throat |
| Cetirizine | 10 mg by mouth once daily | As needed | Allergy-related post-nasal drip irritation when appropriate |
Antibiotics do not help viral sore throats. TeleDirectMD emphasizes testing and guideline-based prescribing to avoid side effects and resistance. If severe symptoms or red flags are present, urgent in-person evaluation is recommended.
Home Care and What to Expect
Viral sore throats often improve within 3 days to 7 days. If strep is confirmed and treated, symptoms often improve within 24 hours to 48 hours, but the full antibiotic course should be completed.
- Stay hydrated and rest
- Avoid smoking and vaping while throat is inflamed
- Replace toothbrush after 24 hours of antibiotics for confirmed strep
- Follow up if you are not improving within 3 days to 5 days
What to Expect From Your TeleDirectMD Sore Throat Visit in Florida
TeleDirectMD provides adult-only, MD-only virtual care by secure video. Visits are $49 as a flat cash fee with no insurance required. If appropriate, prescriptions can be sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy in Florida, and testing guidance can be provided when bacterial infection is possible.
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 online in Florida?
Yes. TeleDirectMD provides MD-only video visits for adults in Florida and can evaluate sore throat symptoms, recommend supportive care, and prescribe antibiotics when appropriate based on testing and guideline-based criteria.
How do I know if my sore throat is strep?
Strep is more likely with fever, no cough, tender neck lymph nodes, and tonsillar exudate. A rapid strep test is the best way to confirm.
Do I always need antibiotics for a sore throat?
No. Most sore throats are viral and do not improve with antibiotics. Antibiotics are reserved for confirmed or strongly suspected bacterial infection.
What helps sore throat pain at home?
Warm salt-water gargles, lozenges, hydration, and acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help. Honey in warm tea can soothe irritation when appropriate.
When should I seek urgent care for a sore throat?
Seek urgent care for trouble breathing, drooling, inability to swallow fluids, severe one-sided swelling, muffled voice, severe dehydration, or rapidly worsening symptoms.
Can allergies cause a sore throat?
Yes. Post-nasal drip can irritate the throat and cause soreness, especially with sneezing, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion.
Can reflux cause a sore throat?
Yes. GERD can irritate the throat and cause hoarseness or throat clearing, often worse when lying down.
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.
What if I am not improving?
If you are not improving within 3 days to 5 days, or symptoms are worsening, you may need in-person evaluation for testing, alternative diagnoses, or complication screening.