Sore Throat

What is a sore throat?

A sore throat is when your throat feels painful, scratchy, or dry. It's very common and usually nothing to worry about. Most sore throats get better on their own within a week without any special treatment.

What does a sore throat feel like?

You might notice:

• Pain in your throat, especially when you swallow
• A dry, scratchy feeling
• The back of your mouth looks red
• Bad breath
• A mild cough
• Swollen glands in your neck

Children with sore throats might also have a high temperature and seem less active than usual.

What causes sore throats?

Most sore throats are caused by viruses - the same germs that cause colds and flu. Sometimes smoking or being around smoke can cause them too.

Very rarely, sore throats can be caused by bacteria. They can also happen with other conditions like swollen tonsils or voice box problems.

How to help yourself feel better

There are simple things you can do at home to ease the pain:

Gargling with salt water (but don't let young children try this):

• Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water
• Gargle with it, then spit it out - don't swallow it

Other helpful things:

• Drink plenty of water
• Eat cool or soft foods
• Stay away from smoking and smoky places
• Suck ice cubes, ice lollies, or hard sweets (but don't give small, hard things to young children as they might choke)
• Get plenty of rest

Medicines that might help

You can buy these from a pharmacy or supermarket:

• Paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain
• Throat lozenges with medicines that numb the pain
• Throat sprays (though these don't help much on their own)

Always read the leaflet or speak to a pharmacist before taking any medicines, especially if you're pregnant.

Do you need antibiotics?

Usually, no. Antibiotics don't help with most sore throats because they're caused by viruses, not bacteria. You'll only get antibiotics if a pharmacist or GP thinks you might have a bacterial infection.

When to get help

See a pharmacist if:

• You need help with your sore throat
• Your child is 5 years or older and needs help

See your GP if:

• Your child is under 5 and needs help
• Your sore throat doesn't get better after a week
• You get sore throats often
• You have a lump in your mouth or neck, or a mouth ulcer lasting more than 3 weeks

Get urgent help (call 111 or see a GP urgently) if you have:

• Very high temperature or feel hot, cold, and shivery
• Signs you're not drinking enough (dark, strong-smelling wee or weeing less)
• A weak immune system (from conditions like diabetes or cancer treatment)

Emergency warning signs

Call 999 or go to A&E straight away if you or your child:

• Have trouble breathing or can't swallow
• Are drooling (this might mean you can't swallow properly)
• Make a high-pitched sound when breathing
• Have severe symptoms that are getting worse quickly

Don't drive yourself to A&E - ask someone else to drive you or call 999 for an ambulance.

Remember, most sore throats get better by themselves. If you're worried about your symptoms, speak to your GP.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.