Sore throat caused by viruses is usually contagious as long as symptoms are present. Once the symptoms disappear, the person is usually no longer contagious and is "cured" of viral pharyngitis. However, the person may still be susceptible to other types of viruses that can cause pharyngitis.

How many days is pharyngitis contagious?

If you or your child has a sore throat from the common cold, you'll be infectious from a couple of days before you notice symptoms until 2 weeks afterward. You're most likely to spread the virus in the first 2 or 3 days.

How long does it take for pharyngitis to go away?

Viral pharyngitis often goes away in five to seven days. If you have bacterial pharyngitis, you will feel better after you have taken antibiotics for two to three days. You must take your antibiotic even when you are feeling better. If you don't take all of it, your sore throat could come back.