If your throat has felt scratchy or dry lately, you might be wondering what’s behind the discomfort. During the summer months, air conditioning is often the first suspect– but a viral infection could also be the culprit. Both can cause a dry or sore throat, but understanding the difference can help you decide whether you need simple home remedies or a visit to urgent care. In this blog, we’ll explore how to tell the difference between air conditioning-related dryness and a viral sore throat, and when it might be time to seek professional care.
For same-day sore throat relief, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Denver Speer. Our center is open 7 days a week and never requires appointments. Just walk-in or plan your visit in advance below!
Dry Throat From Air Conditioning
Air conditioning works by pulling moisture out of the air, which cools your space, but can also dry out your skin, eyes, and throat. If you’re spending long periods of time in AC-filled environments, especially while sleeping, your throat might feel rough or parched when you wake up or after speaking for a long time. Signs your dry throat may be induced by AC include:
- Scratchy or dry feeling, especially in the morning
- No fever or body aches
- Clear nasal passages or slight nasal dryness
- No other cold or flu symptoms
- Worsens when indoors for long periods
Environmental dryness typically doesn’t cause inflammation or worsen over time. Staying hydrated, using a humidifier, and taking short breaks from AC exposure usually helps resolve symptoms.
Dry Throat From a Viral Infection
A viral infection, such as the common cold, COVID-19, or other upper respiratory infection can cause a dry or sore throat– especially at the start of an illness. Viral sore throats are usually accompanied by other symptoms and may worsen over a few days. Signs you may have a viral infection include:
- Dry throat that becomes painful or inflamed
- Runny nose or congestion
- Sneezing or coughing
- Fatigue
- Mild fever or chills
- Headache or body aches
- Possible loss of taste or smell (especially with COVID-19)
Viral infections often begin with mild throat irritation before progressing to full-blown cold symptoms. These infections usually resolve on their own within 7 to 10 days, but can be contagious during that time.
When To Visit Urgent Care
You should visit urgent care if:
- Your sore throat persists for more than a few days
- You develop a fever, cough, or fatigue
- You’re unsure whether your symptoms are contagious
- Your symptoms worsen instead of improve
- You’ve been exposed to someone with strep, flu, or COVID-19
At an urgent care center, a certified medical provider can examine your throat, rule out bacterial infections, perform rapid tests for viruses, and offer treatment options to relieve discomfort and speed up recovery.
Get Walk-In Sore Throat Relief at AFC Urgent Care Denver Speer
A dry throat in the summer could be a simple side effect of air conditioning– or it could be the start of a viral infection. Pay attention to other symptoms, the timing of your discomfort, and whether hydration helps. If your symptoms persist or you’re concerned about infection, the team at AFC Urgent Care Denver Speer is here to help with fast evaluation and personalized treatment. Our center is conveniently located at 777 E Speer Blvd. in Denver, CO. Just walk-in! We accept most health insurance plans and offer cost-effective options for self-pay patients. If you have any additional questions about sore throat treatment, or other services we provide, contact a member of our team directly at (303) 733-4000.
