Ways to soothe a sore throat

Anti-inflammatories: One of the most effective treatments for sore throat is an over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories.

Saltwater gargle: Gargling several times a day with warm salt water can reduce swelling in the throat and loosen mucus, helping to flush out irritants or bacteria. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in one cup of water. If the salty taste is too unpleasant for you, try adding a small amount of honey to sweeten the mixture slightly. Spit the water out after gargling.

Lozenges and sprays: Sucking on cough drops stimulates saliva production, which can help keep your throat moist. For an added benefit, choose brands with a cooling or numbing ingredient, like menthol or eucalyptus.

Cough syrup: Even if you don’t have a cough (yet), over-the-counter cough syrups can help ease soreness. They coat the throat and provide temporary pain relief.

Antibiotics: Every once and a while – about 10 per cent of the time in adults – a sore throat will be caused by a bacterial infection such as Streptococcus pyogenes. If, and only if, you test positive for strep throat or another bacterial infection, your doctor should prescribe an antibiotic.

Fluids: Drink enough fluid so that your urine is light yellow or clear. This keeps your mucous membranes moist and better able to combat bacteria and irritants like allergens.

Tea: A warm cup of herbal tea can offer immediate, soothing relief for a sore throat. Non-herbal teas – whether they’re made with black, green, or white leaves – contain antioxidants that are thought to strengthen immunity and ward off infection.

Rest: It may not be the quickest solution, but getting some rest is probably the best thing you can do to battle the infection that caused your sore throat in the first place.

Source: health.com