How to Treat a Sore Throat

A sore throat is often described as discomfort, pain, burning, or scratchiness in the back of your throat, sometimes making it painful to swallow. Typically, a sore throat occurs when there is swelling in the back of the throat (pharynx), between the tonsils and the voice box (larynx). Thankfully, there are several sore throat remedies available to help make your throat feel better.

The steps you take to soothe a sore throat can depend on what's causing the symptom. Most of the time, sore throats—medically known as pharyngitis—are caused by viruses such as colds, influenza, and mononucleosis (mono). In fact, viruses cause about 50% to 80% of sore throats. More severe cases of sore throat are usually bacterial infections, which can develop after an initial viral infection. Strep throat is one common example of a bacterial infection that causes a sore throat, representing about 5% to 36% of sore throat cases.

A sore throat is a common reason people visit a healthcare provider, accounting for approximately 12 million office visits annually. The healthcare provider will determine what is causing your sore throat and then, based on the cause, may prescribe medication or recommend you try at-home remedies.

Take Medications

While often painful and uncomfortable, sore throats usually will go away on their own without medical intervention. Sometimes medications can be used to reduce sore throat pain. These medications can be over-the-counter (OTC) or prescribed based on the sore throat's cause. Usually, an OTC medication is all that would be needed.

Over-the-Counter Medications

It can be helpful to manage a sore throat at home with OTC medications such as pain relievers, throat lozenges, and throat sprays.

Some research indicates that Tylenol (acetaminophen) can effectively reduce sore throat pain when taken at regular doses over two days. Advil (ibuprofen) has also been shown to reduce sore throat pain after two to five days.

Another OTC option is lozenges. These will stimulate your saliva production and help keep your throat moist, reducing symptoms of your sore throat. Many lozenges are medicated, such as with menthol or benzocaine, to further relieve pain.

A pain-numbing throat spray may also help reduce sore throat pain. Make sure to read the product's labels, as some warn against using the product for more than two days.

Prescription Medications

A healthcare provider would be more likely to prescribe a medication when the cause of your sore throat is a bacterial infection. Antibiotics can help kill the bacteria causing your illness and make it harder for the germs to multiply. Antibiotics cannot work against viruses.

For instance, if you have strep throat, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics. The medication will not only prevent the highly contagious bacterial infection from spreading, but it will also prevent your strep throat from progressing to ear infection, rheumatic fever, or kidney problems—all possible complications of untreated strep throat.

Even if you have strep throat, you might still not be prescribed antibiotics. Some bacterial infections can get better without the use of antibiotics. Any time antibiotics are used, there is the risk of antibiotic resistance—meaning the germs develop a way to live and multiply despite the medication. Your healthcare provider will determine if you need antibiotics for your bacterial infection.

A healthcare provider might also prescribe antibiotics if the sore throat is due to other bacterial infections like chlamydia or gonorrhea.

If the sore throat is due to the flu, your provider might prescribe an antiviral medication.

Drink Fluids

To make your sore throat feel better by keeping it moist, drink plenty of liquids. You can drink warm and cold liquids as well as suck on popsicles and ice chips. Warm fluid can soothe pain, while cold liquid can numb pain.

Herbal teas also may be beneficial for alleviating sore throat pain. One 2019 study found that herbal teas infused with licorice, barberry, thyme, or oregano may be a safe and effective way to make a sore throat feel better among people with strep throat. However, because these components can have side effects, make sure to consult a healthcare provider before trying them.

Use Honey

Consuming honey may help soothe your sore throat. Honey has antimicrobial properties, meaning it can kill or stop the growth of microorganisms like bacteria. Honey has also been found to help with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms, which can include cough and throat pain.

Some research shows that giving children a half teaspoon of honey before bed can improve their cough and related discomfort. Keep in mind that honey should not be given to children under the age of 1.

Gargle With Salt Water

Gargling with warm salt water may help soothe your sore throat and reduce other symptoms related to an upper respiratory infection. In fact, one small study found that gargling within 48 hours after the onset of your symptoms could significantly reduce the length of time you are sick by as much as nearly two days. The researchers also found that gargling reduced the use of medications by 36%, lowered the risk of household transmission by 35%, and reduced the the amount of virus in a person (viral load) significantly.

To make your own salt water, put a half teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water. You can gargle several times a day.

People with high blood pressure (hypertension) or kidney disease should talk to a healthcare provider before using this method. People with abnormal swallowing reflexes should also avoid gargling to prevent complications like choking.

Use a Humidifier

Using a humidifier increases the humidity (or moisture) in your room and eliminates dry air, which is known to irritate and inflame your nose and throat.

If you are interested in trying a humidifier to alleviate your sore throat, it is important to use the device with care. Here are some tips for using a humidifier safely:

• Choose a cool-mist humidifier over a vaporizer because warm-mist humidifiers can cause burns if you get too close.
• Use distilled water in the humidifier instead of tap water. Minerals from tap water can be released into the air causing breathing issues for some people.
• Set your unit to 30% to 50% humidity. 
• Place the humidifier several feet from the bed—ideally about four to six feet if there is room.
• Try not to run the humidifier for long periods of time. If your room surfaces are damp or wet, this can cause mold and mildew to grow, ultimately resulting in breathing problems for some people.
• Clean and drain your humidifier daily to prevent bacterial growth.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Typically, a sore throat will last about five to seven days as your body tries to clear the virus.

Contact a healthcare provider if you have a sore throat that does not go away after several days or is accompanied by a fever. You also should schedule an appointment if you have swollen lymph nodes or a rash along with a sore throat. And if you have trouble breathing, get immediate medical attention.

If your sore throat is being caused by strep throat and you are not feeling better after two days of taking antibiotics, contact your healthcare provider.

A Quick Review

A sore throat, sometimes called pharyngitis, is often described as a scratchy, burning, or painful feeling in the back of your throat. There are several sore throat remedies that may help you feel better. If bacteria is causing your sore throat, as in the case of strep throat, you may need prescription medication. But viruses are what usually cause sore throats. In these cases, at-home remedies are largely the route of treatment. Some ways to treat a sore throat include taking over-the-counter pain relievers, gargling with salt water, and using a humidifier. Most sore throats get better within a few days. If your sore throat persists, it is important to see a healthcare provider.