When You Have a Sore Throat (2024)

A sore throat can be painful. There are many reasons why you may have a sore throat. Your healthcare provider will work with you to find the cause of your sore throat. They'll also find the best treatment for you.

When You Have a Sore Throat (1)

What causes a sore throat?

Sore throats can be caused or made worse by:

  • Cold or flu viruses

  • Bacteria

  • Irritants, such as tobacco smoke or air pollution

  • Acid reflux (acid from your stomach comes up into your throat)

A healthy throat

The tonsils are on the sides of the throat near the base of the tongue. They are part of the immune system and collect viruses and bacteria and help fight infection. The throat (pharynx) is the passage for air. Mucus from the nasal cavity also moves down the passage.

An inflamed throat

The tonsils and pharynx can become inflamed due to a cold or flu virus. Postnasal drip (excess mucus draining from the nasal cavity) can irritate the throat. It can also make the throat or tonsils more likely to be infected by bacteria. Severe, untreated tonsillitis in children or adults can cause a pocket of pus (abscess) to form near the tonsil.

Your evaluation

A health evaluation can help find the cause of your sore throat. It can also help your healthcare providerchoose the best treatment for you. The evaluation may include a health history, physical exam, and diagnostic tests.

Health history

Your healthcare provider may ask you:

  • How long has the sore throat lasted and how have you been treating it?

  • Do you have any other symptoms, such as body aches, fever, or cough?

  • Does your sore throat keep coming back (recur)? If so, how often? How many days of school or work have you missed because of a sore throat?

  • Do you have trouble eating or swallowing?

  • Have you been told that you snore or have other sleep problems?

  • Do you have bad breath?

  • Do you cough up bad-tasting mucus?

Physical exam

During the exam, your healthcare provider checks your ears, nose, and throat for problems. They also check for swelling in the neck, and may listen to your chest.

Possible tests

Other tests you may have include:

  • A throat swab to check for bacteria, such asstreptococcus (the bacteria that causes strep throat)

  • A blood test to check for certain infections. These may include mononucleosis (a viral infection).

  • A chest X-ray to rule out pneumonia, especially if you have a cough

Treating a sore throat

Treatment depends on many factors. What's the likely cause? Is the problem recent? Does it keep coming back? In many cases, the best thing to do is to treat the symptoms, rest, and let the problem heal itself. Antibiotics may help clear up some bacterial infections. For cases of severe or recurring tonsillitis, the tonsils may need to be removed.

Easing your symptoms

  • Don’t smoke, and stay away from secondhand smoke.

  • For children, try throat sprays or frozen ice pops. Adults and older children may try lozenges.

  • Drink warm liquids to soothe the throat and help thin mucus. Stay away from alcohol, spicy foods, and acidic drinks, such as orange juice. These can irritate the throat.

  • Gargle with warm saltwater ( 1teaspoon of salt to 8ounces of warm water).

  • Use a humidifier to keep air moist and ease throat dryness.

  • Try over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Use as directed, and don’t take more than the advised dose. Don’t give aspirin to a child younger than age 19 unless directed by the child’s healthcare provider. Taking aspirin can put your child at risk for Reye syndrome. This is a rare but very serious disorder. It most often affects the brain and liver, and can cause death.

Are antibiotics needed?

If your sore throat is due to a bacterial infection, antibiotics may speed healing and prevent complications. Strep throat (group A streptococcus) is the major treatable infection for a sore throat. But strep throat causes only 5% to 15% of sore throats in adults who get medical care. Most sore throats are caused by cold or flu viruses. And antibiotics don’t treat viral illness. In fact, using antibiotics when they’re not needed may lead to bacteria that are harder to kill. Your healthcare provider will prescribe antibiotics only if they think they're likely to help.

If antibiotics are prescribed

Take the medicine exactly as directed. Be sure to finish your prescription even if you’re feeling better. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist what side effects are common and what to do about them.

Is surgery needed?

In some cases, tonsils need to be removed. This is often done as same-day (outpatient) surgery. Your healthcare provider may advise removing the tonsils in cases of:

  • Several severe bouts of tonsillitis in a year. Severe episodes include those that lead to missed days of school or work, or that need to be treated with antibiotics.

  • Tonsillitis that causes breathing problems during sleep

  • Tonsillitis caused by food particles collecting in pouches in the tonsils (cryptic tonsillitis)

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

  • Problems swallowing

  • Symptoms get worse, or you have new symptoms

  • The pain is bad enough to keep you from drinking liquids

  • You have a skin rash or hives, which could be an allergic reaction to antibiotics

  • Symptoms don’t get better within a week

  • Symptoms don’t get better within 2 to 3 days of starting antibiotics

Call 911

Call 911 right away if any of these occur:

  • Swollen tonsils cause trouble breathing or problems catching your breath

  • Skin is blue, purple, or gray in color

  • Trouble talking

  • Feeling dizzy or faint

  • Feeling of doom

Online Medical Reviewer:Chris Southard RN
Online Medical Reviewer:Marianne Fraser MSN RN
Online Medical Reviewer:Ronald Karlin MD

Date Last Reviewed:10/1/2021

© 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

When You Have a Sore Throat (2024)

FAQs

When You Have a Sore Throat? ›

Drink water, tea (herbal or decaf), broth, soup, and non-caffeinated sports drinks e.g. Gatorade. Hot tea with lemon and honey can help. Gargle with warm salt-water. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of regular table salt in 8 ounces (240 ml) of warm water, gargle for a few seconds, spit it out, then repeat a few times.

What helps a sore throat quickly? ›

How to treat a sore throat yourself
  1. gargle with warm, salty water (children should not try this)
  2. drink plenty of water.
  3. eat cool or soft foods.
  4. avoid smoking or smoky places.
  5. suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets – but do not give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking.
  6. rest.

How to make a sore throat go away? ›

Self care
  1. Rest. Get plenty of sleep. ...
  2. Drink fluids. Fluids keep the throat moist and prevent dehydration. ...
  3. Try comforting foods and beverage. ...
  4. Gargle with saltwater. ...
  5. Humidify the air. ...
  6. Consider lozenges or hard candy. ...
  7. Avoid irritants. ...
  8. Stay at home until you're no longer sick.

What drink helps a sore throat? ›

Drink water, tea (herbal or decaf), broth, soup, and non-caffeinated sports drinks e.g. Gatorade. Hot tea with lemon and honey can help. Gargle with warm salt-water. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of regular table salt in 8 ounces (240 ml) of warm water, gargle for a few seconds, spit it out, then repeat a few times.

Is hot water good for a sore throat? ›

Hot and cold drinks, food, and vaporizers can be comforting when you have a sore throat. No scientific evidence exists that shows better results from a certain temperature. It is good to keep your sore throat moist, so drinking nonalcoholic beverages may be helpful.

How can I clear my throat quickly? ›

Treatment for throat clearing
  1. sip water.
  2. suck on sugar-free candy.
  3. swallow twice.
  4. yawn.
  5. cough.
Jan 2, 2018

How fast can sore throat go away? ›

Sore throat caused by viral infections usually lasts four to five days. During this time, treatments to reduce pain may be helpful. Several therapies can help to relieve throat pain. Pain medication — Over-the-counter pain relievers can provide fast and effective relief of sore throat pain.

What medicine is best for a sore throat? ›

Gargle with warm salt water several times a day to help reduce swelling and relieve pain. Mix ½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) of salt in 1 cup (250 mL) of warm water. Take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve).

Why is my throat sore but I'm not sick? ›

Breathing through your mouth — often because of chronic nasal congestion — also can cause a dry, sore throat. Irritants. Outdoor air pollution and indoor pollution such as tobacco smoke or chemicals can cause a chronic sore throat. Chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and eating spicy foods also can irritate your throat.

Is ice cream good for a sore throat? ›

Bottom line. Ice cream can provide temporary relief for a sore throat due to its cold, soothing texture. However, its high sugar content may not be suitable for everyone and could lead to increased inflammation.

Is ice water good for a sore throat? ›

Drinking very cold ice water or sucking on something cold may seem counterintuitive, but cold can numb the throat. But don't choose cold orange juice or other acid-based liquids; they will only intensify the pain.

What foods soothe a sore throat? ›

10 Foods to Eat When You Have a Sore Throat
  • Chicken soup. Your grandma was right—chicken soup really does help fight colds and infection. ...
  • Honey. Honey is another ingredient that gets a lot of buzz (pun intended) for its medicinal benefits. ...
  • Yogurt. ...
  • Mashed potatoes. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Oatmeal. ...
  • Ginger. ...
  • Jell-O.
Sep 6, 2019

How do I get rid of a sore throat ASAP? ›

Sore throat remedies
  1. Saltwater gargles. A simple sore throat remedy is gargling with salt water, which can reduce inflammation in the throat and ease symptoms of pain and abrasion. ...
  2. Herbal teas. ...
  3. Honey and lemon. ...
  4. Apple cider vinegar. ...
  5. Chicken soup. ...
  6. Ginger root tea or ale. ...
  7. Popsicles or extra-cold drinks. ...
  8. Humidifiers.
Apr 9, 2024

Does honey help a sore throat? ›

Honey may help relieve symptoms of a sore throat. It has multiple therapeutic properties, including as an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory. The short answer is yes, honey can bring relief for your sore throat. Simply mix two tablespoons of honey with a warm glass of water or tea, and drink as needed.

Is coke good for a sore throat? ›

Some beverages, such as carbonated drinks, caffeinated beverages, or those high in sugar, may actually exacerbate throat irritation. It's advisable to choose cold drinks that are gentle on the throat and avoid those that could potentially irritate or dry out the throat further.

What is the best pain reliever for a sore throat? ›

Take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve).

What is the best thing to make for a sore throat? ›

The first and most cost-effective way to relieve your sore throat is by gargling with warm water and salt. Pour about a tablespoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water. Stir the salt around in the water. Then, take a few sips, tip your head back, and gargle.

Why is a sore throat worse at night? ›

Postnasal drip typically increases when a person is lying down. As a result, a sore throat may worsen at night or first thing in the morning. Exposure to certain allergens at night may also worsen postnasal drip and sore throat.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Dean Jakubowski Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5790

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dean Jakubowski Ret

Birthday: 1996-05-10

Address: Apt. 425 4346 Santiago Islands, Shariside, AK 38830-1874

Phone: +96313309894162

Job: Legacy Sales Designer

Hobby: Baseball, Wood carving, Candle making, Jigsaw puzzles, Lacemaking, Parkour, Drawing

Introduction: My name is Dean Jakubowski Ret, I am a enthusiastic, friendly, homely, handsome, zealous, brainy, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.