Sore throat
Sore throats are very common and usually nothing to worry about. They normally get better within a week.
Most are caused by minor illnesses such as cold or flu and can be treated at home.
- take ibuprofen or paracetamol – paracetamol is better for children and for people who can’t take ibuprofen (children under 16 should never take aspirin)
- drink plenty of cool or warm fluids, and avoid very hot drinks
- eat cool, soft foods
- avoid smoking and smoky places
- suck lozenges, hard sweets, ice cubes or ice lollies – but don’t give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking
- gargle with a homemade mouthwash of warm, salty water (children should not try this)
There are also products such as medicated lozenges and sprays sold in pharmacies that you may want to try. There isn’t much scientific evidence to suggest they help, although some people find them worth using.
Antibiotics aren’t usually prescribed for a sore throat, even if it’s caused by a bacterial infection. They’re unlikely to make you feel better any quicker and they have unpleasant side effects.
Sore throat self-help guide
Advice for people aged 3 years or more with the symptoms of a sore throat.
Complete our self-help guide to check your symptoms and find out what to do next.
- symptoms that are severe or getting worse quickly
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- severe pain
- started drooling
- a muffled voice
- a high-pitched sound as you breathe (stridor)
Common causes
A sore throat is often a symptom of:
- colds or flu– you may also have a blocked or runny nose, a cough, a high temperature (fever), a headache and general aches
- laryngitis (inflammation of the voice box) – you may also have a hoarse voice, a dry cough and a constant need to clear your throat
- tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils) – you may also have red or spotty tonsils, discomfort when swallowing and a fever
- strep throat (a bacterial throat infection) – you may also have swollen glands in your neck, discomfort when swallowing and tonsillitis
- glandular fever– you may also feel very tired, have a fever and swollen glands in your neck
It may also be caused by something irritating your throat. For example, smoke, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (where acid leaks up from the stomach) and allergies.
Less common causes
Less often, a sore throat can be a sign of:
- a painful collection of pus at the back of the throat (quinsy) – the pain may be severe and you may also have difficulty opening your mouth or difficulty swallowing
- inflammation of the flap of tissue at the back of the throat (epiglottitis) – the pain may be severe and you may have difficulty breathing and difficulty swallowing.