5 ways to soothe a sore throat

Gargling with salt water is one effective way to soothe a painful sore throat.

The Mayo Clinic recommends mixing ½ teaspoon of salt with one cup of warm water and gargling it in the back of your throat. When treating kids, it's best to wait until they reach age 6 to make sure they are able to spit out the mixture and don't accidentally swallow it.

There is not much research on whether saltwater gargles can actually kill germs in the throat, however, the salt can help reduce swelling and pain. And one 2013 study found that gargling salt water can help prevent respiratory infections.

Pain-relieving medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help ease the pain and swelling that come with a sore throat.

This is because pain relievers stop your body from producing inflammatory agents called prostaglandins, says Jonathan M. Lee, MD, a professor of head and neck surgery at the University of Pennsylvania.

If you are caring for a child 6 months old or younger, experts recommend avoiding ibuprofen and sticking to acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol.

Another vital step to treating a sore throat is to drink as many fluids as possible.

"When you are sick you are more likely to become dehydrated," says Lee. This is because your body produces more mucus and fevers may cause you to sweat, both of which drain water from your body.

Staying hydrated can help your body produce more saliva, which can lubricate your throat and keep it from getting dry and irritated. "Drinking plenty of fluids, warm or cold, ensures your body can carry out all its functions effectively," Lee says

In particular, drinking warm fluids can help soothe the back of your throat and cut down on coughing. Some good options for warm liquids are broth and non-caffeinated herbal tea, Lee says.

Cold liquids, like popsicles and ice chips are also helpful, says Lee, as they can temporarily numb any sharp pain in your throat.

Adding honey to tea can provide extra relief for a sore throat. A 2017 study found that people who swallowed a tablespoon of honey twice a day along with their usual sore throat treatments had a faster recovery and fewer symptoms.

You may want to mix chamomile tea with honey, as chamomile has also been shown to soothe sore throats.

Breathing in dry air can irritate your throat and make a sore throat feel even worse. If you are sick with a sore throat, it can help to run a humidifier in your home to help keep the air moist.

For extra soothing relief, you can also try adding a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide or vapor rub to the water in your humidifier. Hydrogen peroxide can help fight off bacteria and vapor rubs generally contain menthol, which can have a cooling and soothing effect on your throat.

If you don't have a humidifier, you can also run the shower with hot water to fill your bathroom with steam. Sitting in steam for a few minutes can help loosen mucus and soothe pain in your throat.

There are a few telltale signs to look for to determine if something more serious is going on.

"If your throat pain is severe, lasts longer than a week, or is associated with high fever, swallowing or breathing problems, please consult your doctor," Lee says.

If you think you have a bacterial infection like strep throat, it's important to see a doctor to get antibiotics. But if you have a viral infection like a cold or the flu, the best option is to wait it out at home by taking pain relievers, using soothing methods, and drinking plenty of fluids.