5 ways to soothe a sore throat

Sore throats are common but you can soothe the pain easily enough.seb_ra/Getty Images

• Gargling with warm salt water can reduce swelling and pain from a sore throat.
• You should also drink plenty of water to lubricate your throat and prevent it from getting irritated.
• Chamomile tea with honey in it can also provide relief.
• This article was medically reviewed by Omid Mehdizadeh, MD, otolaryngologist and laryngologist at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute's Pacific Eye, Ear & Skull Base Center at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA

About 13 million people visit the doctor each year with a sore throat.

Roughly one in ten cases of sore throat are caused by a bacterial infection, like strep throat, which will need to be treated with antibiotics. But most of the time, a sore throat is caused by a virus like the flu or the common cold and there is no cure except to wait for it to pass.

Here are five simple remedies you can use to help soothe your sore throat while waiting for your symptoms to clear up.