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Tips to soothe a sore throat
Although painful, sore throats are common and aren’t usually a sign of anything serious. They’re normally caused by viruses. Less often, they can be caused by bacterial infections. They usually go away on their own after a few days. There are things you can do to treat a sore throat, like gargling with salt water and avoiding smoking. Here, I look at some causes of sore throats, and provide some self-care tips to help soothe it at home.
What causes a sore throat?
A sore throat is often a symptom of being unwell with a virus, like cold or flu. These viruses can cause other symptoms too like a runny, blocked nose and a cough.
Cigarette smoke can also irritate your throat. So it’s a good idea to stop smoking, if you do.
Sometimes a sore throat is caused by a bacterial throat infection, like strep throat (caused by streptococcus bacteria).
Other causes of a sore throat, like tonsillitis and laryngitis, can be as a result of either a virus or bacterial infection.
What does a sore throat look like?
If you have a sore throat, it might look red or inflamed. You may also have white patches at the back of your throat, but this is less common.
How can I get rid of a sore throat?
It will usually get better after a few days. But there are a few sore throat home remedies you can try to make yourself more comfortable. Here are six steps to help soothe your sore throat.
- Take over-the-counter painkillers, like ibuprofen or paracetamol (if you’re able to)
- Gargle with salt water
- Suck on sore throat lozenges
- Sip a warm (not hot) drink
- Stop smoking, if you do
- Apply a sore throat spray (available from most pharmacies)
You should also try to drink plenty of water, to make sure you stay hydrated. You might also find it helpful to rest your voice by avoiding singing or shouting.
How long should a sore throat last?
A sore throat will usually last for a few days before getting better on its own. But, symptoms can last for up to a week. Visit your doctor if you experience any of the following:
- very swollen or sore glands in your neck
- difficulty swallowing or breathing
- a cough with chest pain
- a high temperature of more than 38°C
Are sore throats contagious?
Many of the infections that cause sore throats can be passed on to others. They’re spread by having close contact with someone who is unwell, often through coughs and sneezes.
If you’ve got a sore throat, it’s a good idea to wash your hands regularly, and put any used tissues in the bin. This can help to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others. And you might choose to avoid close contact with vulnerable people. This includes:
- pregnant people
- anyone with a weakened immune system
- newborn babies
- people over the age of 75
When does a sore throat need antibiotics?
Most causes of a sore throat will go away without antibiotics. If your sore throat is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t work. And, they won’t help you get better any faster. But, if you have:
- pus on your tonsils
- fever
- very inflamed tonsils, especially with white spots on (pus)
- very swollen or sore glands in your neck
you may need antibiotics, so it’s best to visit your doctor.
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