Soothe a minor sore throat with fluids, honey, salt-water gargles and humidified air while learning when medical care is necessary.
A sore throat is often caused by a viral respiratory infection and usually improves within several days. Supportive home care can reduce discomfort, but it cannot replace testing or treatment when a bacterial infection or another condition is suspected.
Drink water regularly and choose warm or cool fluids according to preference. Soft foods may be easier to swallow. Honey can soothe coughing and throat irritation in adults and children aged one year or older, but it must not be given to infants.
Adults and older children who can gargle safely may use warm salt water. Mix approximately half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water, gargle and spit it out. Young children should not use this remedy because they may swallow the solution.
Rest the voice and avoid smoking, vaping and smoky environments. A clean cool-mist humidifier may help when dry air aggravates the throat.
Precautions
Antibiotics do not treat viral sore throats. A healthcare professional may recommend a test when symptoms suggest strep throat or another bacterial infection.
Seek urgent care for difficulty breathing, inability to swallow, drooling, severe dehydration, rapidly increasing neck or throat swelling, or a muffled voice. Medical assessment is also advisable for persistent high fever, a rash, recurrent sore throats or symptoms that are not improving. A mouth ulcer, neck lump or sore throat lasting more than three weeks requires evaluation.
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