A sore throat with blisters or ulcers is most commonly caused by coxsackievirus, which usually affects children but can affect adults too. Symptoms include high fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, abdominal discomfort and nausea, and the virus can also cause hand, foot and mouth disease, herpangina and hemorrhagic conjunctivitis. It is highly contagious, but most people recover without treatment within a few days. White or red patches from mono or strep throat can look similar, so a test at a clinic is the only way to confirm the cause.
Common Causes of a Sore Throat With Blisters or Ulcers
If you’ve ever had a cold, strep throat, or even allergies, you’ve probably experienced the discomfort of a sore throat. Sore throats are a pain for everyone, and when you have strep throat blisters, ulcers, or other sores in your throat, your discomfort level can go from bad to worse in an instant. Because a variety of viruses and conditions can cause a sore throat or sores on the back of your throat, it’s important to be aware of what to do when you find yourself with telling symptoms.
What causes blisters or ulcers in the throat?
Most commonly, a sore throat with blisters or ulcers is due to a virus called coxsackievirus. It causes a wide variety of symptoms, and while it typically affects children, adults can get it as well.
Sore Throat with Blisters & Ulcers: Coxsackievirus in Adults or Kids
Coxsackievirus can also cause several different conditions that affect different parts of the body, such as:
- Hand, foot and mouth disease – Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a viral illness that typically affects children under 5 years old; however, it can sometimes occur in adults. Symptoms include fever, mouth blisters, and a skin rash.
- Herpangina – Herpangina is a contagious childhood throat infection that causes blisters and ulcers on the tonsils of the roof of the mouth.
- Hemorrhagic conjunctivitis – Hemorrhagic conjunctivitis is a highly contagious eye infection that causes eye pain followed by red, watery eyes with swelling, light sensitivity, and blurred vision.
Coxsackievirus is highly contagious, but children and adults often recover without treatment within a few days.
Coxsackievirus symptoms
- High fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Abdominal discomfort
- Nausea
How long does it last?
Coxsackievirus is highly contagious, but children and adults often recover without treatment within a few days.
Other Causes of Throat Ulcers and Blisters
Coxsackievirus isn’t always to blame for a sore throat with ulcers or blisters. Sometimes sores in the back of the throat —white patches or red patches due to a virus like mono or bacteria like strep throat can be mistaken for these same symptoms. The only way to know for sure is to visit your local FastMed Urgent Care and be seen by one of our caring medical professionals.
Once we determine the cause of your sore throat and blisters or ulcers, we can provide you with treatment to have you on your way home and feeling better in no time!
When to get tested
- Blisters or ulcers in the throat with a high fever
- Symptoms that are not improving after a few days
- You want to rule out strep throat or mono, which need a test to confirm
About FastMed
FastMed is a North Carolina-based integrated healthcare company based in Durham, NC. It operates more than 50 locations in 34 counties providing urgent care and occupational health as well as primary care at select locations. FastMed accepts most insurance plans and is one of a few private urgent care centers also accredited by The Joint Commission. Learn more at fastmed.com.
