Uvulitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Uvulitis?
An ear, nose, and throat doctor, also called an otolaryngologist, can treat uvulitis when a specialist is needed. Many people first see a primary care doctor, who can look at the throat and find the cause. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is uvulitis?
Uvulitis means the uvula is inflamed, which is swollen and irritated. The uvula is the small, tongue-shaped tissue that hangs from the top of the back part of your mouth. Uvulitis is usually linked to inflammation of other parts of the mouth, such as the palate (the roof of the mouth), the tonsils, or the throat. The throat is also called the pharynx. Another name for uvulitis is swollen uvula.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Fever.
- A feeling like something is in your throat.
- Gagging or a choking feeling.
- Coughing.
- Pain while swallowing.
- Extra saliva, which is the spit in your mouth.
- Less appetite, or no appetite at all.
Uvular injury and swelling typically also cause a sore throat and trouble swallowing.
If the swelling is severe and goes untreated, it may block your breathing.
Causes and who gets it
Uvulitis is mainly caused by an infection with streptococcus bacteria, often called strep. Other causes include:
- An injury to the back of the throat.
- An allergic reaction to pollen, dust, pet dander, or foods such as peanuts or eggs.
- Breathing in or swallowing certain chemicals.
- Reflux, which is stomach acid flowing back up into the esophagus, the tube that carries food to your stomach.
- Smoking.
In children, germs that cause uvulitis include group A strep and, less often, viruses such as herpes simplex or varicella-zoster.
An injury can happen during an endoscopy, a test that passes a tube through the mouth to look at the lining of the esophagus and stomach. It can also happen during surgery such as tonsil removal. Acid reflux can damage the uvula too.
How doctors diagnose it
Your health care provider will do a physical exam and look in your mouth to see the uvula and throat. Some tests may be done:
- A throat swab to find any germs causing the uvulitis.
- Blood tests.
- Allergy tests.
Treatment
Uvulitis may get better on its own without medicines. Depending on the cause, your provider may prescribe:
- Antibiotics to treat an infection.
- Steroids to reduce swelling of the uvula.
- Antihistamines to treat an allergic reaction.
- Reflux medicines to treat irritation caused by reflux.
Your provider may suggest these steps at home to ease your symptoms:
- Get lots of rest.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Gargle with warm salt water to reduce swelling.
- Take over-the-counter pain medicine.
- Use throat lozenges or a throat spray to help with the pain.
- Do not smoke, and avoid secondhand smoke. Both can irritate your throat.
For uvular injury or swelling, common ways to ease symptoms are salt water gargles, numbing medicines for the throat, and, for severe swelling, anti-inflammatory medicines such as antihistamines and steroids. Swollen or injured uvulas often get better with simple care such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medicines.
If the swelling does not go away with medicines, your provider may advise surgery to remove part of the uvula.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if:
- You are unable to eat properly.
- Your symptoms are not getting better.
- You have a fever.
- Your symptoms return after treatment.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you are choking and having trouble breathing. Severe swelling can block the airway.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can examine your throat and order tests such as a throat swab. They can refer you to an ear, nose, and throat doctor if the swelling does not go away with medicines.
Common questions
What causes uvulitis?
Uvulitis is mainly caused by an infection with streptococcus bacteria. Other causes include an injury to the back of the throat, an allergic reaction, chemicals, acid reflux, and smoking.
Does uvulitis go away on its own?
Yes, uvulitis may get better on its own without medicines. It usually resolves in 1 to 2 days, either on its own or with treatment. After a uvular injury, most cases get better within 2 weeks.
Can uvulitis make it hard to breathe?
Yes, it can if the swelling is severe and goes untreated. Severe swelling may cause choking and restrict your breathing, so call 911 or go to the emergency room if you are choking and having trouble breathing.
How can I ease a swollen uvula at home?
You can ease a swollen uvula at home by getting lots of rest and drinking plenty of fluids. You can also gargle with warm salt water, take over-the-counter pain medicine, and use throat lozenges or a throat spray. Do not smoke, and avoid secondhand smoke.
Can uvulitis be prevented?
Yes, you can lower your risk of allergic uvulitis by avoiding your allergen if an allergy test comes back positive. An allergen is a substance that causes an allergic reaction.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Uvulitis
- Saudi Journal of Anaesthesia (PubMed Central) - Uvular injury: A narrative review
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
