Sore throat

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Strep throat

Throat anatomy

Throat - sore; Pain - throat

Most sore throats are soon over. In the meantime, the following remedies may help:

• Drink warm liquids. Honey or lemon tea is a time-tested remedy.
• Gargle several times a day with warm salt water. (1/2 tsp of salt in 1 cup water.)
• Cold liquids or popsicles help some sore throats.
• Sucking on hard candies or throat lozenges can be very soothing, because it increases saliva production. This is often as effective as more expensive remedies, but should not be used in young children because of the choking risk.
• Use a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier to moisten and sooth a dry and painful throat.
• Try over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen. DO NOT give aspirin to children.

Antibiotics are usually NOT wise in the absence of a positive strep test or throat culture.

Call your provider if there is:

• Severe difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Excessive drooling in a young child
• A fever, especially 101°F or greater
• Tender or swollen lymph glands in the neck
• Pus in the back of the throat
• A red rash that feels rough, and increased redness in the skin folds

Your health care provider will perform a physical examination. He or she may want to know some details about the sore throat, such as:

• How long has the sore throat been present?
• Have other family members had recent sore throats?
• Is the pain increasing, staying the same, or decreasing?
• Are you able to swallow saliva, fluids, and food?
• Is there excessive drooling (in infants)?
• Are you hoarse?
• Is it worse at night? Are you able to sleep?
• Are you breathing through your mouth?
• Is the soreness better in the morning? Better with moist air or mist? Better with medication?
• What other symptoms are also present -- noisy breathing, fever, wheezing, allergies, rash?
• Have you had a recent injury or surgery?
• Are there swollen lymph glands in your neck?
• Are there sores or pus in back of throat?
• Is there a sensation of gagging?
• What medications are you taking?
• What is your typical daily diet?