Sore throat

Throat - sore; Pain - throat

Most sore throats are soon over. In the meantime, the following remedies may help:

• Drink warm liquids. Honey or lemon tea is a time-tested remedy.
• Gargle several times a day with warm salt water (1/2 tsp of salt in 1 cup water).
• Cold liquids or popsicles help some sore throats.
• Sucking on hard candies or throat lozenges can be very soothing, because it increases saliva production. This is often as effective as more expensive remedies, but should not be used in young children because of the choking risk.
• Use a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier to moisten and soothe a dry and painful throat.
• Try over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen. Do NOT give aspirin to children.

Call your health care provider if there is:

• Excessive drooling in a young child
• Fever, especially 101°F or greater
• Pus in the back of the throat
• Red rash that feels rough, and increased redness in the skin folds
• Severe difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Tender or swollen lymph glands in the neck

Your health care provider will perform a physical examination. He or she may want to know some details about the sore throat, such as:

• How long has the sore throat been present?
• Have other family members had recent sore throats?
• Is the pain increasing, staying the same, or decreasing?
• Are you able to swallow saliva, fluids, and food?
• Is there excessive drooling (in infants)?
• Are you hoarse?
• Is it worse at night? Are you able to sleep?
• Are you breathing through your mouth?
• Is the soreness better in the morning? Better with moist air or mist? Better with medication?
• What other symptoms are also present -- noisy breathing, fever, wheezing, allergies, rash?
• Have you had a recent injury or surgery?
• Are there swollen lymph glands in your neck?
• Are there sores or pus in the back of your throat?
• Is there a sensation of gagging?
• What medications are you taking?
• What is your typical daily diet?

The following diagnostic tests may be performed: