Harvard Health Content API

Most sore throats will get better without antibiotics or other prescription medications. However, occasionally a sore throat can associated with a more serious health problem.

Osteoarthritis is particularly common among older people, but it is not an inevitable part of aging and age does not cause OA. In other words, it is not “normal” for an elderly person to have joint pain. Anyone who has bothersome joint pain, elderly or not, should be thoroughly evaluated by a health care provider.

The best way to take an infant’s temperature is rectally with a digital thermometer (never use a glass mercury thermometer). Taking the temperature under the arm, or using an ear thermometer, is less exact.