Sore Throat

Home Treatment

Home treatment is usually all that is needed for a sore throat caused by a virus. These tips may help you feel better.

• Gargle with warm salt water to help reduce swelling and relieve discomfort:
  • Gargle at least once each hour with 1 tsp (5 g) of salt dissolved in 8 fl oz (237 ml) of warm water.
  • If you have postnasal drip, gargle often to prevent more throat irritation.
• Prevent dehydration. Fluids may help thin secretions and soothe an irritated throat. Hot fluids, such as tea or soup, may help decrease throat irritation.
• Use a vaporizer or humidifier in your bedroom.
  • Warm or cool mist may help you feel more comfortable by soothing the swollen air passages. It may also relieve hoarseness. However, don't let your room become uncomfortably cold or very damp.
  • Use a shallow pan of water to provide moisture in the air through evaporation if you don't have a humidifier. Place the pan in a safe location where no one will trip on it or fall into it.
• Do not smoke or use other tobacco products and avoid secondhand smoke. For more information, see the topic Quitting Smoking.
• If you suspect that problems with stomach acid may be causing your sore throat, see the topic Heartburn.

Consider taking nonprescription medicine for your symptoms.

• Use nonprescription throat lozenges.
  • Some nonprescription throat lozenges, such as Sucrets Maximum Strength or Spec-T, are safe and effective and have medicine (local anesthetic) that numbs the throat to soothe pain.
  • Regular cough drops may also help.
• Use a decongestant.
  • Decongestants make breathing easier by shrinking swollen mucous membranes in the nose, allowing air to pass through. They also help relieve a runny nose and postnasal drip, which can cause a sore throat.
  • Decongestants can be taken orally or used as decongestant nasal sprays. Oral decongestants (pills) are probably more effective and provide longer relief but may cause more side effects.
  • Don't give decongestants to a child younger than 2 unless you've checked with the doctor first. If your child’s doctor tells you to give a medicine, be sure to follow what he or she tells you to do.

Medicine you can buy without a prescription

Try a nonprescription medicine to help treat your fever or pain:
Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin Naproxen, such as Aleve or Naprosyn Aspirin (also a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), such as Bayer or Bufferin

Safety tips

Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine:

Carefully read and follow all directions on the medicine bottle and box. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Do not take a medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past. If you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take it. If you are or could be pregnant, do not take any medicine other than acetaminophen unless your doctor has told you to. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 unless your doctor tells you to.

Additional home treatment can be found in topics related to sore throat.

• If you suspect allergies are causing your symptoms, see the topic Allergic Reaction or Allergic Rhinitis.
• If you have laryngitis, see laryngitis.
• If your sore throat is caused by sores in your mouth, see the topic Mouth Problems, Noninjury.

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:

• Drooling or increased difficulty breathing develops.
• Inability to swallow or drink enough fluids develops.
• A muffled voice develops.
• A new rash or fever develops.
• Signs of dehydration are present.
• A persistent sore throat or fever develops.
• Symptoms become more severe or more frequent.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: February 25, 2008
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Steven L. Schneider, MD - Family Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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