How to Get Rid of a Sore Throat: Causes & Treatment

How to get rid of a sore throat depends on the cause, such as a cold, allergic rhinitis, dry air, tonsillitis, acid reflux, or COVID-19. Common symptoms include throat pain, trouble swallowing, dry cough, bad breath, swollen lymph nodes, and pus in the throat.

Treatment may include anti-inflammatory medicines, antihistamines, antibiotics, home remedies, or dietary changes. Drinking fluids, resting, avoiding smoke, and gargling with warm salt water may also help relieve symptoms.

A healthcare provider can diagnose the cause through a physical exam and, when needed, a throat culture or allergy testing. Identifying the cause helps guide the right treatment.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of a sore throat are:

• Throat pain

• Throat irritation

• Pain or trouble swallowing

• Redness and swelling in the throat

• Pus in the throat

• Dry cough

• Loss of appetite

• Fever

• Bad breath

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

In some cases, throat inflammation can also cause headache, body aches, a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, or a feeling of a lump in the throat.

Confirming a diagnosis

A sore throat should be diagnosed by an ENT specialist or primary care provider through a physical exam. This may include looking at the throat, feeling the neck to check for swollen lymph nodes, and listening to the person’s breathing.

Depending on the signs and symptoms, the provider may also order tests such as an endoscopy, allergy testing, or a throat culture. A throat culture involves collecting a sample of throat secretions to help identify the cause of the inflammation.

Main causes

The main causes of a sore throat are:

1. Flu or cold

According to the CDC, most sore throats are caused by viruses, including the viruses that cause colds and flu. These viruses can build up and multiply in the throat, causing inflammation and symptoms such as pain, cough, sneezing, and headache.

2. Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils caused by viruses or bacteria. It can spread through droplets released into the air when someone coughs or sneezes, or through close contact, such as kissing, and may cause symptoms such as sore throat, fever, and general discomfort.

3. COVID-19

A sore throat is one of the possible symptoms of COVID-19. It may occur with other symptoms, such as headache, body aches, high fever, persistent dry cough, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing.

4. Allergic rhinitis

A sore throat can be caused by allergic rhinitis, which is a type of allergy to triggers such as dust, smoke, or dust mites. Allergic rhinitis causes inflammation of the nasal lining and symptoms such as a frequent runny nose, cough, sneezing, and sore throat.

5. Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, happens when stomach contents flow back into the esophagus. This can inflame the lining of the esophagus and cause heartburn and laryngitis, which is inflammation of the throat.

6. Sinusitis

A sore throat can be caused by sinusitis, which is inflammation of the sinuses. It may be triggered by allergies to dust mites, dust, or pet dander, and can cause symptoms such as a frequent runny nose, sore throat, and yellow or green mucus.

7. Dry or cold air

Breathing in dry or cold air, such as during colder seasons or with frequent air conditioner use, can reduce moisture in the throat. This may irritate the throat and cause symptoms such as pain when swallowing.

8. Voice overuse

A sore throat can develop after using your voice too much for long periods without resting. This can strain the throat muscles and cause hoarseness, pain, or loss of voice.

Treatment options

Treatment for a sore throat depends on the cause, and medication is not always needed. According to the CDC, most sore throats do not need antibiotics, except for strep throat. When necessary, a healthcare provider may recommend pain relievers, antibiotics, or antihistamines. 

Treatment for a sore throat may include:

1. Medications

Some medications that may be recommended to treat a sore throat are:

• Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, which reduce inflammation and help relieve throat pain

• Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, which help relieve pain and fever and may be recommended for the flu, colds, or COVID-19, for example

• Antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, penicillin, or amoxicillin-clavulanate, which are used in cases of bacterial tonsillitis or bacterial sinusitis

• Antihistamines, such as promethazine or loratadine, which are usually recommended for the treatment of allergic rhinitis

Allergy shots may also be recommended by a doctor for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

2. Home remedies

Some home remedies, such as ginger tea, eucalyptus tea, and pomegranate tea, may help relieve a sore throat by supporting the immune system and reducing inflammation.

Although these remedies may have health benefits, they should not replace treatment prescribed by a healthcare provider.

3. Diet

While the throat is inflamed, it is recommended to prioritize soft foods that do not irritate the throat, such as oatmeal, soup, pasta, yogurt, and ground or shredded meat.

Other care measures

Some care measures that can help treat a sore throat are:

• Resting

• Avoiding sudden changes in temperature

• Drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, coconut water, or tea

• Chewing food well

• Gargling with warm salt water

• Avoiding smoking and smoky places

It is also recommended to avoid drinking alcohol, as alcoholic beverages can dry out and irritate the throat.