Self care
How to treat a sore throat yourself
To quickly soothe a sore throat, drink warm liquids like honey lemon tea, chamomile, or broth, which coat and calm irritation, or try cold drinks/popsicles to numb the pain and reduce inflammation, with warm saltwater gargles (for adults/older kids) also offering fast relief by breaking down secretions and killing bacteria.
The throat most often gets better on its own within five to seven days. Antibiotic medicine does not cure viral pharyngitis. For acute pharyngitis caused by bacteria, your health-care provider may prescribe an antibiotic. For chronic pharyngitis, your provider will look for other causes.
To soothe a child's sore throat, offer plenty of fluids, soft foods like yogurt or soup, and cold treats like popsicles, while using pain relievers like children's ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed (never aspirin for kids). For older kids (over 4), salt water gargles and lozenges help, and honey (over age 1) can soothe, but always ensure hydration, rest, and avoid smoke irritants, seeing a doctor for severe symptoms.
Five common signs of strep throat are a sudden, painful sore throat, fever, swollen tonsils (often with white patches or pus), swollen, tender neck glands, and sometimes tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth (petechiae), often appearing without typical cold symptoms like coughing.
How to sleep with sore throats
“A sore throat can be caused by any number of factors, including a common cold, low humidity, smoking, air pollution, yelling or nasal drainage,” says Brett M.
To quickly relieve a sore throat, use over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain and inflammation, along with soothing remedies like honey (not for infants), throat sprays (with lidocaine), and warm salt water gargles, while getting rest and staying hydrated to speed healing.
Stage 1 of a sore throat, often the start of a cold or flu, involves early symptoms like a tickle, scratchiness, or mild pain in the throat, possibly with sneezing, usually appearing 1-3 days after infection, and can be managed with rest, fluids, saltwater gargles, and OTC pain relievers, but see a doctor if it's severe, lasts over a week, or comes with a high fever or trouble breathing.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine
Alcohol and caffeinated drinks like coffee are diuretics, meaning that they can potentially dehydrate you. As a result, your throat may become irritated and eventually sore. Consider abstaining from these drinks or opting for drinks with a lower alcohol or caffeine content.
Pharyngitis may start with a raspy feeling in your throat, as if your throat is dry. If your sore throat gets worse, you may feel a sharp pain in your throat when you swallow or talk. You may feel the pain in your ears or down the side of your neck.
One of the most popular and effective remedies for a sore throat is lemon tea with honey. The lemon provides vitamin C, which can boost your immune system, while honey coats and soothes your throat. Honey is also a natural antibacterial agent, which can help fight infections.
Drink warm liquids that soothe the throat such as broth, tea without caffeine or warm water with honey. Cold treats such as ice pops also can soothe a sore throat. Don't give honey to children younger than age 1. Gargle with saltwater.
A viral sore throat often comes with cold symptoms like a cough, runny nose, and hoarseness, while a bacterial one (strep throat) usually hits suddenly with severe pain, high fever, no cough, and white spots/pus on tonsils, but only a doctor's test (strep test) can confirm, as symptoms overlap and look similar.
Gargling with salt water: Salt water may decrease inflammation and make swallowing less painful. Mix 8 ounces (oz) of warm water with 1 teaspoon (tsp) of salt and gargle this solution several times a day. Sipping warm drinks: Warm drinks, such as herbal tea, may help decrease pain.
Gargle with Salt Water
Gargling warm salt water (about half a teaspoon in a cup of warm water) several times a day can reduce swelling, kill bacteria, and provide quick comfort.
Any condition that irritates the esophagus will most likely cause painful swallowing. The esophagus carries food and liquid from your mouth to the stomach. Unfortunately, you can experience inflammation in the esophagus due to allergic reactions, acid reflux, infections, or medications.
To help soothe a sore throat:
Red flags for a sore throat that need urgent care include difficulty breathing or swallowing, severe pain (especially on one side), drooling, inability to open your mouth fully, stiff neck, confusion, high fever with shivering, dehydration signs, or blood in saliva, as these can signal serious issues like airway obstruction, severe infection, or rare conditions needing immediate attention. See a doctor if it lasts over a week, recurs often, or if you have night sweats, unexplained weight loss, or a weakened immune system.
Signs and symptoms of strep throat can include:
Other health conditions that can cause sore throat are reflux, tonsil stones, muscle tension, and mononucleosis, also known as mono. Acid reflux can cause heartburn and if the acid reaches the throat it can also lead to throat discomfort.
Sore Throat Relief
But beware: Lying flat may cause swelling from the increased pressure on the back of your throat and increased congestion. Elevate your bed or sit propped up in a chair if lying down causes discomfort.
Foods like chips, crackers, pretzels, nuts, dry cold cereals, and raw vegetables are not the best until your throat pain eases. Acidic fruits and juices: Acidic foods and drinks can irritate a sore throat, worsening the burning sensation when your throat is sore.