What to Do for a Sore Throat?
In most cases, the best thing to do for a sore throat is just give it time (typically about two to five days). This is because most sore throats are the result of a viral infection. This type of infection will not respond to antibiotics; however, there are some home remedies that can help relieve a throat infection.
Some of these remedies include:
- Pain medicines, such as Tylenol®, Motrin®, or Aleve®
- Oral rinses (salt-water gargle)
- Throat lozenges.
Some of the best ways to treat a sore throat caused by a viral infection are to get plenty of rest and drink fluids. Also, many people may find relief by sipping warm drinks (such as lemon or honey tea) or eating soups. Others might find that cold drinks or frozen desserts (such as ice cream) are helpful. Vaporizers or humidifiers are also often used to help soothe a sore throat.
But what can you take for a sore throat that is caused by a bacterial infection? In these cases, a healthcare provider will typically prescribe antibiotics.
(For more information on what to do for a sore throat, click Sore Throat Remedies.)