However, throat swelling can block your airway-signs include difficulty breathing, drooling or pooling saliva, and harsh, noisy breathing-and warrants a trip to the emergency room, according to UpToDate, which provides evidence-based treatment information to healthcare providers. Some people who are newly infected with HIV may experience flu-like symptoms that can include a sore throat. Your doctor should check for signs of other conditions that may also cause a sore throat, such as allergies or gastroesophageal reflux disease. The viruses that cause mononucleosis can also cause throat pain, along with fever, fatigue, and swollen glands.Ĭertain sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea and herpes, may cause a sore throat, too. If you’re still feeling relatively severe pain when you swallow after three to five days, especially if your symptoms aren’t improving, Lipman says, it’s reasonable to call your doctor and ask whether you should come in for an evaluation. Scientists have demonstrated a few strategies that won’t work: A 2017 study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that neither chewing gum containing the sugar substitute xylitol nor a probiotic supplement had any effect on throat pain.Īnd herbs or dietary supplements for cold symptoms such as a sore throat aren't very effective, and pose other problems, such as potential side effects. And a spoonful of honey or piece of hard candy, which can coat the throat, may temporarily dampen pain (though neither should be given to children under 1 year of age).
Gargling with salt water may also ease pain for some. 1 Pharmacist recommended over-the-counter cold & Cough medicine from Vicks, the world’s 1 Selling cough & Cold brand Powerful cold symptom relief, day or night. However, if you consider these factors, your job will be easier. And hot liquids like tea or soup may be easier to swallow for some people than room temperature beverages. Choosing the appropriate sore throat med can be tough. It’s generally fine, she notes, to use a lozenge or spray along with an OTC pain pill.įood, drinks, and more: While the home remedies touted for sore throat aren’t generally supported by much research, it’s fine to use them if they reduce your discomfort, especially if swallowing is painful.Įating or sucking on cold items, such as ice pops, ice, or frozen yogurt, can help to numb the throat slightly, making swallowing easier.
These won’t work for as long as OTC pain pills may, Stead says, although drops may last longer than sprays because they remain in your mouth while you suck on them. Look for throat lozenges and sprays that contain ingredients such as benzocaine, dyclonine, or phenol-which can numb the areas they come in contact with-or menthol, which creates a cooling sensation.
Cough drops and OTC throat sprays: Here, it’s a matter of, “Do whatever works for you,” Stead says.