A sore throat is one of the most uncomfortable feelings you can experience. Whether your sore throat is caused by a cold, flu, or bacterial infection, knowing how to get rid of a sore throat quickly can help you feel better and get back to your normal life. This guide will show you proven home remedies, medical treatments, and prevention tips to help you get rid of a sore throat pain fast. We’ll also answer your most important questions about sore throat relief and when you should see a doctor.
Understanding Your Sore Throat
Before treating your sore throat, it helps to know what’s causing it. Most sore throats are caused by viral infections like colds and flu, which usually go away on their own in a few days. Some sore throats are caused by bacterial infections like strep throat, which need antibiotics. Other causes include allergies, dry air, smoking, or irritation from shouting. Knowing the cause helps you choose the best treatment for how to get rid of a sore throat pain.
Quick Home Remedies to Get Rid of a Sore Throat
1. Gargle With Warm Salt Water
One of the oldest and most effective ways to get rid of a sore throat is to gargle with warm salt water. Mix one-half teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water. Gargle for 30 seconds, then spit out the water. The salt helps reduce swelling and kills bacteria in your throat. Repeat this every two to three hours for the best results. Most people feel relief after just one or two gargles.
2. Drink Warm Liquids
Warm liquids soothe your sore throat and help with pain relief. Drink warm water, warm lemon water with honey, chicken soup, or herbal tea. Warm liquids also help you stay hydrated, which is important for healing. Avoid very hot drinks that can irritate your throat more. Sip slowly and let the liquid coat your throat. Honey in warm water is especially soothing and has natural healing properties.
3. Use Throat Lozenges or Hard Candy
Throat lozenges and hard candy increase saliva production, which soothes your sore throat. Lozenges with menthol or honey provide extra relief. Zinc lozenges may help shorten how long your sore throat lasts if you use them early. Suck on lozenges or hard candy throughout the day. Many people find that having something to suck on makes their sore throat feel much better.
4. Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relief
Pain relief medications can help you get rid of sore throat pain quickly. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen both work well for sore throat pain. Follow the directions on the bottle and don’t take more than recommended. These medications also help reduce fever if you have one. Most people feel relief within 30 minutes of taking pain medication.
5. Apply a Warm Compress
A warm compress applied to your neck can help relieve sore throat pain. Soak a soft cloth in warm water, squeeze out extra water, and hold it against your neck for 10 to 15 minutes. The warmth relaxes your throat muscles and reduces pain. You can repeat this several times throughout the day. Many people find that combining a warm compress with warm liquids works even better.
6. Rest and Sleep
Your body heals faster when you rest. Give your body a break by staying home and resting as much as possible. Get plenty of sleep, which helps your immune system fight the infection causing your sore throat. Avoid talking too much, which irritates your throat. Silence is golden when you have a sore throat. The more you rest, the faster your sore throat will improve.
7. Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water helps your body heal and keeps your throat from drying out. Dehydration makes sore throat pain worse. Drink water regularly throughout the day, even if it’s hard to swallow. You can also drink herbal tea, warm lemon water, or broth. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water daily. Staying hydrated is one of the simplest ways to help your body get rid of a sore throat.
8. Use a Humidifier
Dry air irritates your sore throat and makes pain worse. A humidifier adds moisture to the air in your bedroom, which soothes your throat. Run a humidifier while you sleep and during the day. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can breathe in steam from a hot shower or bowl of hot water. Moist air reduces irritation and helps your sore throat heal faster.
9. Avoid Irritating Foods and Drinks
Some foods and drinks make sore throat pain worse. Avoid spicy foods, citrus fruits, tomato-based foods, and acidic drinks like orange juice or soda. Hard, crunchy foods like chips or raw vegetables can also irritate your throat. Stick to soft, easy-to-swallow foods like yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs. Once your sore throat feels better, you can slowly return to normal foods.
10. Use Honey
Honey is a natural remedy that soothes your sore throat and has antibacterial properties. Mix honey with warm water or tea and drink it slowly. You can also take a spoonful of honey directly. Studies show that honey works as well as cough medicine for soothing sore throats. Don’t give honey to babies under one year old. For most people, honey is a safe and effective treatment.
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor about your sore throat if you experience any of these warning signs:
- Your sore throat lasts longer than one week
- You have a fever of 103°F (39.4°C) or higher
- You have severe difficulty swallowing or breathing
- You see white or yellow patches on your tonsils or back of your throat
- You have a rash along with your sore throat
- Your sore throat is getting worse instead of better
- You have swollen lymph nodes in your neck that are very painful
Your doctor can test you for strep throat and other conditions that need medical treatment.
Medical Treatments for Sore Throat
Antibiotics for Strep Throat
If you have strep throat (a bacterial infection), your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Take the entire course of antibiotics as directed, even if you feel better. Strep throat can lead to serious complications if not treated properly. Antibiotics usually make you feel much better within 24 to 48 hours. Most sore throats are viral, not bacterial, so antibiotics won’t help those cases.
Prescription Throat Sprays
Your doctor can prescribe numbing throat sprays that provide temporary pain relief. These sprays contain anesthetic medicine that makes your throat numb so you can swallow more easily. Use as directed by your doctor. Prescription sprays provide stronger relief than over-the-counter options for severe sore throat pain.
Prescription Lozenges
Prescription lozenges with stronger pain-relieving medicine are available if over-the-counter lozenges don’t help. These are usually prescribed for severe sore throat pain. Use them only as directed by your doctor.
Prevention Tips to Avoid Sore Throat
Wash Your Hands Frequently
Most sore throats come from viral infections spread through touch. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after being around sick people. Keep your hands away from your face. Good hand hygiene is one of the best ways to avoid catching a cold that causes sore throat.
Avoid Close Contact With Sick People
If someone you know has a sore throat or cold, try to stay away from them until they feel better. Don’t share food, drinks, or eating utensils with sick people. Sore throats are contagious, so keeping your distance helps you stay healthy.
Don’t Smoke and Avoid Secondhand Smoke
Smoking irritates your throat and increases your risk of sore throat. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your health. Also avoid secondhand smoke, which irritates your throat just like smoking does.
Get Your Flu Vaccine
The flu vaccine helps protect you from the flu, which causes sore throat. Get vaccinated each year before flu season. The vaccine reduces your chance of getting the flu by about 40 to 60 percent.
Keep Your Immune System Strong
A strong immune system helps you fight off infections that cause sore throat. Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and manage stress. A healthy lifestyle keeps your immune system strong and reduces your risk of getting sick.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Sore Throat
- How long does a sore throat last?
Most viral sore throats last three to seven days and go away on their own. Strep throat usually lasts about a week, even with antibiotics. Some sore throats caused by irritation might last only a few days. If your sore throat lasts longer than two weeks, see a doctor.
- What’s the difference between a sore throat and strep throat?
A sore throat can be caused by many things including viruses, bacteria, allergies, and irritation. Strep throat is a specific bacterial infection caused by streptococcus bacteria. Strep throat is usually more painful and often comes with fever and white patches on your tonsils. Only a doctor can confirm strep throat with a test.
- Can you get a sore throat from cold weather?
Cold weather itself doesn’t cause sore throat, but cold air can irritate your throat. Cold weather also makes people spend more time indoors in close contact with others, which spreads cold and flu viruses. Dry air from indoor heating can also irritate your throat. Staying hydrated helps protect your throat from cold weather irritation.
- Is it safe to go to work with a sore throat?
If your sore throat is from a viral or bacterial infection, you should stay home to avoid spreading it to others. Most people are contagious for at least a few days. If your sore throat is from allergies or irritation and you’re not contagious, you can go to work. If you’re not sure, it’s better to stay home and rest.
- Can you catch a sore throat from someone?
Yes, sore throats from viral and bacterial infections are contagious. Cold and flu viruses spread through coughing, sneezing, and touching. Strep throat also spreads the same way. The best protection is washing your hands often and avoiding close contact with sick people. Staying home when you’re sick protects others from catching your sore throat.
- Does warm or cold help a sore throat more?
Both can help, but most people find warm liquids more soothing for sore throat pain. Warm drinks and warm compresses relax your throat muscles and reduce pain. However, some people find cold popsicles or ice cream soothing because the cold numbs pain. Try both and see what feels better for you.
- Can you get a sore throat from allergies?
Yes, allergies can cause sore throat. When you have allergies, your throat becomes irritated and swollen from allergic reactions. Postnasal drip from allergies also irritates your throat. If you think allergies are causing your sore throat, try allergy medication and see if it helps. Allergic sore throats usually go away once you treat the allergy.
- Is it bad to swallow when you have a sore throat?
Swallowing with a sore throat is painful, but it’s not harmful. You need to swallow to eat and drink, and staying hydrated helps you heal. Warm liquids and throat lozenges make swallowing easier. If you have severe difficulty swallowing, see a doctor right away.
- Can stress cause a sore throat?
Stress weakens your immune system, which makes you more likely to catch infections that cause sore throat. Stress doesn’t directly cause sore throat, but it increases your risk. Managing stress through relaxation, exercise, and good sleep helps keep your immune system strong and reduces your risk of sore throat.
- When should you use antibiotics for a sore throat?
Antibiotics only help if your sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection like strep throat. Most sore throats are caused by viruses, which don’t respond to antibiotics. Your doctor will do a strep test to see if you have strep throat before prescribing antibiotics. Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them can cause problems, so only use them as prescribed by your doctor.
Final Thoughts
A sore throat is painful and uncomfortable, but most cases improve on their own within a few days. Start with simple home remedies like gargling with salt water, drinking warm liquids, and staying hydrated. Use pain relief medication if you need it. Rest as much as possible to help your body heal. If your sore throat lasts longer than a week, gets worse, or you have severe symptoms, see a doctor. Your doctor can test you for strep throat and other conditions that need special treatment. With rest, home remedies, and proper care, you can get rid of your sore throat and feel better soon. Remember, the key to fast relief is taking care of yourself and listening to your body’s need for rest and recovery.
