Dealing With a Sore Throat

Dr. Chavis offers her sore throat-soothing tips:

  • Take decongestants to make breathing easier by shrinking swollen mucus membranes in the nose, allowing air to pass through.

  • Antihistamines help dry up a runny nose and postnasal drip, which can cause or further irritate a sore throat.

  • Non-aspirin pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can offer additional pain relief and make the patient more comfortable overall.

  • Gargle at least once per hour with warm salt water to reduce swelling and discomfort.

  • While it may be uncomfortable to swallow, make sure to drink additional fluids to soothe a sore throat. Hot fluids, such as soup or tea with honey, will help relieve and hydrate a sore throat. Extra fluids also help thin sinus mucus, allowing for better drainage and decreased stuffiness, which can contribute to throat irritation.

  • Suck on flavored frozen desserts, such as popsicles, to ease the irritation.

  • Ease sore throat pain with an over-the-counter medicine, such sore throat lozenges or sprays, to reduce pain and keep throat moist.

  • Use a vaporizer to keep throat tissues moist, particularly while sleeping.

  • Stop smoking and/or avoid secondhand smoke.

  • While the tendency may be to make the house warmer, dry, indoor heat can irritate a sore throat.

  • Keep talking or shouting to a minimum to rest the throat.

Preventing Sore Throat

While there is no surefire way to prevent getting a sore throat, Dr. Chavis offers the following advice to help reduce the risk:

  • Wash your hands regularly, especially around people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes or mouth.
  • Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
  • Increase fluid intake to as much as 8-12 glasses of water a day.
  • Avoid throat irritants, such as smoke, fumes or yelling.
  • Avoid biting your nails.
  • Replace your toothbrush monthly to prevent being reinfected by bacteria.

"Because so many different things can cause a sore throat, it's a good idea to get your throat checked by the doctor if you are concerned," said Dr. Chavis. "Even if you're not a fan of the doctor's office, definitely go in with a fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit."