How to Get Rid of a Sore Throat Quickly

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A sore throat is a horrible feeling, but luckily, it doesn’t have to last! Given that you are past the prevention routine, you can get rid of a sore throat quickly with home remedies and certain foods. However, if your sore throat lasts for more than 7 days, see a doctor, because you might have a more serious underlying medical condition. [1]

Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Using Home Remedies to Relieve a Sore Throat

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  1. Gargle to help reduce swelling and relieve discomfort. Mix ½ teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. [2] Take the liquid into the back of your throat, gargle with your head turned slightly up, and spit the water out. Gargle once every hour or so. You should wash your mouth out after so your mouth doesn't taste too bad.
    • Repeat up to every 3 hours until pain subsides. [3]
    • Do not let children gargle salt water.

    Optional : Put one teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar in the water and gargle as usual. Do not swallow!

  2. Many herbal lozenges that you can buy over the counter contain analgesics like lemon or honey. [4]
    • Some throat lozenges, like Sucrets Maximum Strength or Spec-T, are safe and effective and contain medicine (local anesthetic) that numbs the throat to soothe pain.
    • Try not to consume analgesic lozenges for more than three days, as the anesthetics could mask a serious bacterial infection, such as Streptococcus (strep throat), that needs medical intervention.
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  3. Like lozenges, throat sprays such as Cepacol help relieve pain by numbing the lining of the throat. Follow the instructions on the label for proper dosage, and consult a doctor or pharmacist for information regarding use with other medications and/or remedies. [5]
  4. Soothe your throat pain with a warm compress . You can soothe pain on the inside of your throat with warm tea, lozenges, and throat sprays, but how about attacking the pain from the outside? Wrap a warm compress around the outside of your throat. This could be a warm heating pad, a hot water bottle, or a warm, damp cloth.
  5. Use humidifiers or steam treatments for relief. Warm or cool mist moving through a humidifier can help soothe your throat, but take care not to make your room uncomfortably cold or damp. [6]
    • Use a steam treatment with warm water and a dish towel. Bring 2-3 cups (473-710 mL) of water to a soft boil and remove from the heat. ( Optional: steep chamomile, ginger, or lemon tea in the water.) Let it rest for about 5 minutes. Put your hand over the steam coming off the water to test if it is too hot. Pour the water into a large bowl, drape a clean dish towel over your head, and bring your covered head over the steam issuing from the bowl. Breathe deeply through your mouth and nose for 5-10 minutes. Repeat as necessary. [7]
    • Or, take a hot shower and inhale the steamy air for relief. [8]
  6. For pain relief, it's okay to take acetaminophen and ibuprofen. [9] Avoid giving children under the age of 19 any aspirin. The medication has been linked to a serious condition called Reye’s syndrome. [10] Follow the dosage instructions on the label exactly.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Relieving Your Sore Throat with General Health Practices

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  1. Try to sleep during the day, if possible, and maintain your regular sleeping schedule for the night. [11] Shoot to sleep more than your usual daily allotment, about 11-13 hours, while symptoms last.
  2. Wash or sanitize your hands frequently. It's no secret that our hands are vectors for bacteria; we touch our face and other objects, increasing the likelihood of spreading bacteria. Wash your hands frequently if you have a sore throat or a cold in order to prevent as much bacterial transmission. [12]
    • Hand washing is more effective at preventing a sore throat than treating one. [13]
  3. Drink plenty of fluids , especially water. Water may help thin secretions in the throat, and warmer fluids help soothe irritation in the throat. [14] Hydrating your body will help it fight off infections and clear the sore throat quickly.
    • Drink a warm chamomile or ginger tea to soothe your throat. [16]
    • Mix a hot drink of Manuka honey , lemon, and warm water. If you can’t find Manuka honey, go with regular to take advantage of its antibacterial properties. [17]
    • Drinking electrolyte-rich sports drinks, such as Gatorade, will help your body replenish the salts, sugars, and other necessary minerals it needs to fight the sore throat. [18]

    Tip: Shoot for 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of water a day for men, and 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of water a day for women. [15]

  4. Take showers every morning and every night. Take frequent, steamy showers. Showering will help clean your body, offer a refreshing diversion, and allow the steam a chance to soothe your throat. [19]
  5. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are compounds formed when our bodies convert the food we eat into energy. [20] The scientific evidence about whether vitamin C specifically helps sore throats is controversial, but it certainly won't hurt your sore throat. It may be worth trying.
    • Other antioxidant-rich foods include: green tea, blueberries and cranberries, beans (pinto beans, kidney beans, and black beans), artichokes, prunes, apples, and pecans, among others. [21]
  6. Make garlic tea . Some people swear by chewing or eating garlic as a sore throat remedy. [22] However, garlic tea may be a more palatable solution that just may work, as garlic is a natural antibiotic. [23]
    • Cut some fresh garlic into small pieces (medium slices).
    • Put the garlic pieces into a mug or teacup. Fill with water.
    • Put the cup inside the microwave. Boil for two minutes.
    • Remove the cup. While still hot, take out the pieces of garlic.
    • Add your favorite tea bag (preferably a flavored one to kill the smell of garlic), such as vanilla flavor.
    • Add some honey or other sweetener (enough to make the drink tasty).
    • Enjoy and have as many cups as you like.
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Part 3
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Avoiding Certain Foods While Symptoms Persist

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  1. Studies have proven that there’s no real connection between how much dairy you consume and the amount of mucus you have. However, some people feel more stuffy after eating dairy when they have a sore throat or cold. Try a dairy product, such as a cup of yogurt, some cheese, or a glass of milk. If you feel fine afterwards, you can continue eating dairy. If your throat hurts more or you feel more stuffy, consider eating less of it while you’re still sick. [24]
  2. Eating sugary, processed food with low nutritional value won’t give you the vitamins and minerals you need to feel better. Sugary foods that are dry, like cake and cupcakes, are even worse, as they’ll be scratchy on your throat and hard to swallow. [25]
    • Instead, try a cream-based soup or warm broth to help you feel better.

    Tip: If you’re craving something sweet, opt for fruit or vegetable smoothies. For breakfast, try warm oatmeal.

  3. Don't let the cooling sensation of drinks and ice cream fool you; you want to keep your body's core temperature up. Warm drinks, like tea, are the best to drink. If you just want water, try to drink it hot or at least lukewarm. [26]
  4. Fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, and tomatoes can hurt your throat even more. Instead, opt for grape or apple juice, which are fruity and refreshing but not acidic. [27]

    Did you know? There is an urban legend that orange juice is good for a sore throat as it is full of vitamin C, but the acidity will just cause more irritation and pain to the throat.

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Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Seeking Medical Attention

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  1. Your doctor can look at your throat, discuss your symptoms, and perform tests that hopefully will put you back on the path to a quick recovery. [28]
  2. Check for signs of strep throat . Your sore throat is probably just that—sore. But there's a chance what you thought was a sore throat is, in fact, strep throat or another potentially hazardous infection. Be on the lookout for these signs that you have strep throat: [29]
    • Severe and sudden sore throat without the usual signs of common cold (coughing, sneezing, runny nose, etc.)
    • Fever
    • Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck
    • White or yellow spots or coating on the throat and tonsils
    • Bright red throat or dark red spots on the roof of the mouth at the back near the throat
    • Scarlet blotches in the neck area or other parts of the body
  3. Mono is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and is usually associated with teens and young adults, as most adults have immunity to the virus. Symptoms of mono include: [30]
    • High fever, anywhere from 101° - 104° F (38.3° - 40° C), with attendant chills
    • Sore throat, with white patches on the tonsils
    • Swollen tonsils and swollen lymph nodes all over the body
    • Headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, and a lack of energy
    • Pain in the upper left side of the abdomen, near your spleen. If your spleen hurts, seek medical attention immediately, as it could mean that your spleen has burst.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What's a good way to get rid of a sore throat?
    Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
    Board Certified Pediatrician & Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor
    Dr. Andrea Rudominer is a board certified Pediatrician and board certified Integrative Medicine Doctor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Rudominer has over 15 years of medical care experience and specializes in preventive health care, obesity, adolescent care, ADHD, and culturally competent care. Dr. Rudominer received her MD from the University of California, Davis, and completed a residency at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. Dr. Rudominer also has an MPH in Maternal Child Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Member of the American Board of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Member and Delegate of the California Medical Association, and a Member of the Santa Clara County Medical Association.
    Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
    Board Certified Pediatrician & Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor
    Expert Answer
    Take a hot shower and let the steam wash over you. Drink plenty of tea with honey in it. You can also gargle with salt water to relieve your symptoms. You could add a drop or two of bergamot essential oil to the salt water if you'd like.
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    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 24
  • Question
    If I have a sore throat, should I cough a lot or will that make it worse?
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    It's common to have a dry cough and a sore throat at the same time, and it's okay to cough if you need to. Coughing is your body's way of clearing out your throat and airways.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Can I just gargle salt water, or should I put something else in it?
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    You can definitely gargle salt water, and you don't have to add anything else. Gargling just plain salt water may help to soothe your sore throat.
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      Tips

      • Take your temperature every 24 hours while having a sore throat. If at any time it reaches over 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4°C), go to a doctor as this could be a sign of a viral or bacterial infection such as mono. [31]
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      • Elevate your head while sleeping, and put some VapoRub on your chest, under your nose, and a bit on your forehead. VapoRub may help you breathe easier, increasing the flow of oxygen. [32]
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      • Try elderberry tea as a soothing herbal treatment for a sore throat. [33]
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • If you have to go to school with a sore throat, bring at least 2 bottles of water because one won't be enough. If your teacher doesn't let you have more than one drink, just let them know you're sick and need to stay hydrated. You should also bring some cough drops to soothe your throat.
      • Even though oranges and other citrus fruits are loaded with vitamin C, eating them when your throat is sore can cause irritation. Instead, try strawberries or raspberries, which aren't as acidic and still contain plenty of vitamin C.
      • Apply eucalyptus oil to your forehead, nose, and neck, then steam your face for about 15 minutes without stopping. This makes my sore throats disappear in an hour or two.
      • Drink cold drinks instead of hot ones. Cold drinks reduce throat swelling. Hot drinks increase blood circulation, which can also increase throat swelling.
      • It helps me to drink lukewarm water with one tablespoon of salt and a half tablespoon of turmeric.
      • Throat Coat tea by Traditional Medicinals works wonders on sore throats.
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      Warnings

      • Avoid smoking cigarettes or cigars while you have a sore throat (and to prevent future irritation).
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      • Avoid soda and other high-sugar foods and beverages. Ginger ale is a possible exception, as ginger has anti-inflammatory qualities that may help soothe your sore throat and swollen tonsils. [37]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptom-checker/sore-throat-in-adults-adult/related-factors/itt-20009075
      2. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/sore-throat/
      3. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sore-throat-remedies-that-actually-work
      4. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/sore-throat/
      5. ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=uh3916
      6. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3249568/
      7. ↑ https://www.nhsfife.org/media/e9dp0vw1/steam-inhalation-leaflet.pdf
      8. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sore-throat-remedies-that-actually-work
      9. ↑ https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/sore-throat/
      1. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/reyes-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20377255
      2. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351640
      3. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20351635
      4. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20351635
      5. ↑ https://uhs.umich.edu/strep
      6. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
      7. ↑ https://aanmc.org/naturopathic-medicine/sore-throat-remedies/
      8. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3609166/
      9. ↑ https://uhs.umich.edu/strep
      10. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sore-throat-remedies-that-actually-work
      11. ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/
      12. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/antioxidants
      13. ↑ https://pennstatehealthnews.org/2023/12/the-medical-minute-five-home-remedies-can-soothe-your-sore-throat/
      14. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4103721/
      15. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2154152/
      16. ↑ https://healthcareassociates.com/10-foods-to-eat-with-a-sore-throat/
      17. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19145994/
      18. ↑ https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/diet-nutrition/best-food-for-sore-throat
      19. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptom-checker/sore-throat-in-adults-adult/related-factors/itt-20009075
      20. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/group-a-strep/about/strep-throat.html
      21. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/13974-mononucleosis#symptoms-and-causes
      22. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptom-checker/sore-throat-in-adults-adult/related-factors/itt-20009075
      23. ↑ https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/which-otc-medications-are-best-for-coronavirus-symptoms
      24. ↑ https://www.eatingwell.com/article/8049001/best-teas-for-sore-throat/
      25. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39503638/
      26. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/reyes-syndrome/
      27. ↑ https://healthcareassociates.com/10-foods-to-eat-with-a-sore-throat/
      28. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3665023/

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