Another antibiotic, called erythromycin or Biaxin, can be used if you're allergic to penicillin. If your sore throat is caused by a different bacterium, we may prescribe antibiotics that will help kill that bacterium. If we give you an antibiotic, be sure you take all of the medicine. Taking all of the medicine helps ensure that the infection doesn't come back or cause you other problems. If your sore throat is caused by a virus, antibiotics won't help.
Infections caused by viruses usually just have to run their course.
The symptoms will go away when your body has built up its defenses against the virus. Most symptoms caused by a cold-type virus go away in a week to 10 days. Symptoms caused by mono can last for four weeks or more. If you have mono, we would probably suggest that you get plenty of rest and that you not exercise too hard. Easing the pain of a sore throat Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen.