Sore throats are one of the top reasons for doctor visits and sick days, due to the pain and discomfort they cause. They often start with a persistent tickle in the back of the throat which then leads to a prickly sensation each time you swallow. The trick to treating a sore throat at home is knowing when it’s time to seek the help of a professional as opposed to at-home therapies. In most cases, at-home treatment will help your sore throat to improve. However, if you have a severe sore throat and a fever over 101 degrees that lasts longer than one to two days, you have a red rash appear, or you have difficulty sleeping because your throat is blocked by swollen tonsils or adenoids, it is time to consult a professional. If you have any of the symptoms listed above, it could mean that you have a bacterial infection. Your doctor may want to prescribe an antibiotic to help treat your throat infection.