What’s a Good Sore Throat Remedy?

We encourage you to practice good hygiene and physical distancing to help slow the spread of germs. If you are experiencing symptoms of fever, coughing, sore throat or shortness of breath, you should seek medical advice from a doctor (including pathology testing) and stay at home. Where any conflict may arise between the Department of Health’s advice and any information on this website, please follow advice from the Department of Health’s health alerts.

Understanding the causes of sore throat

A dry, irritated sore throat often signals the start of a cold1 – and that’s because the most common cause of a sore throat in both adults and children is a viral infection such as the common cold or the flu.^2,3Another common cause of sore throats, particularly in children, is a bacterial infection.^2-4

These infections cause inflammation in your throat, which results in pain, redness, and swelling – making it difficult and often painful to swallow.^3,5,6 Throat infections are often accompanied by cold and flu symptoms such as a runny nose, nasal congestion, and cough, and may also result in a high fever and sore swollen glands or tonsils.^2,3

Now that you know what causes a sore throat, you’re probably wondering about sore throat treatment. The important thing to know about sore throats is that these viral and bacterial infections are usually self-limiting. That means they will resolve on their own in about a week.^2,3 But what can you do to feel better while your body is fighting off the infection? Let’s take a look at how to relieve a sore throat and manage your symptoms at home.

How to help a sore throat

What to do if you have a sore throat? Most sore throats associated with colds and flu will resolve on their own in about a week, so treatment for sore throat typically involves symptomatic relief with home remedies for sore throat and sore throat medicine.^2,3

However, it is important to see your doctor if you have any concerns about your sore throat or any other symptoms. You should also seek medical help if you experience any of the following:^2,3

⦁ Symptoms that worsen or do not improve within 3 to 7 days, especially fever

⦁ New symptoms

⦁ Dehydration

⦁ Severe throat or neck pain or stiffness

⦁ Difficulty breathing

⦁ Drooling

⦁ Muffled voice or hoarseness

Sore throat remedies at home

Sore throats usually make swallowing more difficult and often downright painful, which may mean you start to avoid eating or drinking. To help relieve your throat discomfort, try switching up what you eat and drink. But what helps soothe a sore throat?

Sip on warm drinks

Warm drinks such as tea can help soothe throat discomfort.

Add honey to warm water

Honey is a demulcent – a type of food that coats the throat, helping to relieve irritation and pain.

Suck on cold foods

Foods such as ice cubes and ice blocks can numb your throat, which helps to ease throat pain when swallowing, and offers the added benefit of keeping you hydrated. Ice cream or frozen yoghurt can also deliver that numbing effect while helping keep your energy levels up.

Gargle salt water

Try gargling or rinsing out your mouth with warm salty water. This may also help reduce throat irritation or discomfort.

Stay hydrated

To help prevent becoming dehydrated while you are managing your sore throat, make sure you drink adequate amounts of liquid. You can try warming or cooling your drinks to help reduce irritation and soothe your throat.

Choose soft foods

Eating mild, soft, and warm foods such as soup can be easier to swallow and less irritating to a painful sore throat than spicy, rough-textured, or room temperature foods.

Give these ideas a go and you will hopefully find a remedy for sore throat that works for you.

Sore throat medicine

After making sure your foods and drinks soothe rather than irritate your sore throat, you may be wondering how to relieve a sore throat quickly. For this, you can try a medicated product.

Pain relievers

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or paracetamol can help reduce pain and fever associated with sore throats.

Medicated lozenges and throat sprays

For a sore throat remedy that delivers fast relief, try medicated lozenges and throat sprays that contain antiseptic ingredients to help kill germs that can cause throat infections, anaesthetic agents to numb the throat, or anti-inflammatory agents to reduce inflammation.

Discover the Strepsils® range of medicated lozenges and throat sprays for fast and effective relief from painful, sore throats.

⦁ Strepsils Lozenges have double antiseptic action for fast and effective relief from throat discomfort. Available in a range of flavours.

⦁ Strepsils Max Triple Action Lozenges have antiseptic and anaesthetic action to provide rapid relief from painful inflamed sore throats.

⦁ Strepsils Chesty Cough Lozenges provides dual relief – clears airways & relieves chesty coughs by dissolving mucus.

How to prevent a sore throat

Armed with information about how to relieve a sore throat, what about prevention? The best way to prevent a sore throat is to practice good hygiene to limit the spread of infection.

Keep your hands clean

Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for 30 seconds, making sure you clean all parts of your hands and fingers thoroughly. If you can’t access a sink, try disinfecting your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing

Always use a disposable tissue or your inner elbow to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Remember to wash or disinfect your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.

Stay at home

If you feel unwell, stay at home to prevent spreading any germs. Also try to limit your contact with other people who are sick and avoid touching the nose, mouth, or eyes.

References

1. Eccles 2005. 2. Therapeutic Guidelines. Sore throat. June 2019. Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd (eTG March 2021 edition). 3. Chow, Doron. In: Aronson MD (Ed); UpToDate. Waltham, MA; 2021. 4. Wald. In: Edwards MS (Ed). UpToDate. Waltham, MA; 2021. 5. ESCMID Sore Throat Guideline Group, et al. 2012. 6. InformedHealth.org (Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, Germany). What is an inflammation? Available here