Sore throat

Most are caused by minor illnesses such as cold or flu and can be treated at home.







Do take ibuprofen or paracetamol – paracetamol is better for children and for people who can’t take ibuprofen (children under 16 should never take aspirin) drink plenty of cool or warm fluids, and avoid very hot drinks eat cool, soft foods avoid smoking and smoky places suck lozenges, hard sweets, ice cubes or ice lollies – but don’t give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking gargle with a homemade mouthwash of warm, salty water (children should not try this)

How to gargle with salt water Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water (warm water helps salt dissolve). Gargle with the solution, then spit it out (do not swallow it). Repeat as often as you like.

There are also products such as medicated lozenges and sprays sold in pharmacies that you may want to try. There isn’t much scientific evidence to suggest they help, although some people find them worth using.

Antibiotics aren’t usually prescribed for a sore throat, even if it’s caused by a bacterial infection. They’re unlikely to make you feel better any quicker and they have unpleasant side effects. 

Symptoms

Common causes

A sore throat is often a symptom of: 

colds or flu – you may also have a blocked or runny nose, a cough, a high temperature (fever), a headache and general aches  laryngitis (inflammation of the voice box) – you may also have a hoarse voice, a dry cough and a constant need to clear your throat tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils) – you may also have red or spotty tonsils, discomfort when swallowing and a fever   strep throat (a bacterial throat infection) – you may also have swollen glands in your neck, discomfort when swallowing and tonsillitis glandular fever – you may also feel very tired, have a fever and swollen glands in your neck 

It may also be caused by something irritating your throat. For example, smoke, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (where acid leaks up from the stomach) and allergies. 

Less common causes 

Less often, a sore throat can be a sign of:

a painful collection of pus at the back of the throat (quinsy) – the pain may be severe and you may also have difficulty opening your mouth or difficulty swallowing inflammation of the flap of tissue at the back of the throat (epiglottitis) – the pain may be severe and you may have difficulty breathing and difficulty swallowing

These conditions are more serious and should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible.