Sore throat
How to treat a sore throat yourself
To help soothe a sore throat and shorten how long it lasts, you can:
- gargle with warm, salty water (children should not try this)
- drink plenty of water
- eat cool or soft foods
- avoid smoking or smoky places
- suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets – but do not give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking
- rest
How to gargle with salt water
- Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water (warm water helps salt dissolve).
- Gargle with the solution, then spit it out (do not swallow it).
A pharmacist can help with sore throats
You can ask a pharmacist about ways of relieving the pain and discomfort of a sore throat, such as:
- paracetamol or ibuprofen
- medicated lozenges containing a local anaesthetic, antiseptic, or anti-inflammatory medicine
- anaesthetic spray (although there's little proof they help when used on their own)
You can buy these treatments from a supermarket or pharmacy without a prescription.
A pharmacist can also provide other treatments if you need them, without you seeing a GP.
Some medicines are not safe for everyone (for example, if you're pregnant). Always check the leaflet or speak to a pharmacist before taking them.
Antibiotics
You do not normally need antibiotics for a sore throat because they will not usually relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.
You'll only be given antibiotics if you could have a bacterial infection.
Non-urgent advice: Speak to a GP if:
- your sore throat does not improve after a week
- you often get a sore throat
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get advice from 111 now if:
- you're worried about your sore throat
- you have a sore throat and a very high temperature, or you feel hot and shivery
- you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of diabetes or chemotherapy
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
You or your child:
- have difficulty breathing or are unable to swallow
- are drooling – this can be a sign of not being able to swallow
- are making a high-pitched sound as you breathe (called stridor)
- have severe symptoms and are getting worse quickly
Sore throat symptoms
If you have a sore throat you might have:
- a painful throat, especially when swallowing
- a dry, scratchy throat
- redness in the back of your mouth
- bad breath
- a mild cough
- swollen neck glands
The symptoms are similar for children, but children can also get a high temperature and appear less active.
Causes of sore throats
Sore throats are usually caused by viruses (like cold or flu) or from smoking. Very occasionally they can be caused by bacteria.
A sore throat can also be caused by:
- laryngitis
- tonsillitis
- strep throat (a bacterial throat infection)
- glandular fever
Page last reviewed: 8 April 2024
Next review due: 8 April 2027