What Can I Take for a Sore Throat?

Knowing what to take for a sore throat depends on what's causing it. Viruses cause most sore throats and will go away on their own.

Strep throat is a sore throat caused by Streptococcus bacteria and must be treated with antibiotics. A healthcare provider can test you for strep throat to determine if antibiotics are needed.

This article will discuss what to do when you have a sore throat, including when to see a healthcare provider and how to relieve symptoms.

What Is a Sore Throat?

A sore throat (pharyngitis) is a painful, scratchy, or burning feeling in the back of the throat. It may feel worse when you swallow or talk.

Causes of sore throats include, but aren't limited to, the following:

• Viral infections
• Bacterial infections
• Environmental factors (ex., pollution)

A healthcare provider can help determine the cause and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

What Tests Are There for Sore Throats?

To find the cause of your sore throat, a healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and perform a physical exam.

The exam may include looking at the back of your throat with a lighted instrument and feeling your neck for swollen glands (lymph nodes).

If a healthcare provider thinks you might have strep throat, they'll use a throat swab to test for it. The swab will be used for a rapid antigen test or a throat culture.

Rapid Antigen Test

Healthcare providers may first use a rapid antigen test to help diagnose strep throat.

They will collect a sample with a sterile throat swab, gently rubbing it against the back of your throat.

Most clinics have the equipment to test your sample using a rapid antigen test.

Rapid antigen test results are usually available within 10 to 20 minutes.

Throat Culture

If your rapid antigen test results return negative, your healthcare provider may send your sample to a lab to perform a throat culture.

This type of test is more accurate than the rapid antigen test.

However, getting results from a throat culture can take 24 to 48 hours.

What Causes Sore Throats?

Most sore throats are caused by viruses, such as those that cause colds or the flu. Sore throats caused by a viral infection typically get better on their own and do not require antibiotics.

You may have a sore throat caused by a virus if you also have any of the following symptoms:

• Cough 
• Runny nose 
• Hoarseness 
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Bacteria, such as strep A, B, or C, may cause sore throats. Group A strep commonly causes strep throat, an infection in the throat and tonsils. Strep throat is treated with antibiotics.

Signs and symptoms of strep throat may include the following:

• A sore throat that comes on rapidly 
• Pain when swallowing 
• Fever
• Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or pus   
• Small red spots on the roof of the mouth 
• Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck

Other causes of sore throats include the following:

• Smoking or secondhand smoke 
• Allergies
• Snoring 
• Frequent shouting. People with jobs requiring them to regularly use a loud voice, such as teachers or aerobics instructors, may be at an increased risk.
• Certain medications, such as ACE inhibitors and chemotherapy 
• Air pollution and fumes 
• Cold, dry air
  

What Are Home Remedies for a Sore Throat?

Most sore throats resolve on their own.

However, it's essential to talk to a healthcare provider about your or your child's symptoms so they can determine if testing for strep throat is needed.

Bacteria cause strep throat and must be treated with antibiotics to prevent complications.

However, there are ways to help ease your symptoms at home. Consider some of the following:

• Suck on ice chips, popsicles, or lozenges (never give lozenges to a child younger than two).
• Use a humidifier or cool mist vaporizer.
• Gargle with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt mixed in 1 cup of water).
• Drink warm, soothing beverages or soup.
• Stay well hydrated with plenty of fluids.
• Use a spoonful of honey—either alone or added to tea—to help relieve cough in adults and children at least 1-year-old.
• Try an OTC pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Always ask a healthcare provider or pharmacist before treating children, including infants, with OTC products since some ingredients may not be safe for young children.

Summary

Most sore throats will go away on their own, but there are ways to help relieve your symptoms.

Consuming warm beverages, gargling with salt water, or using a humidifier may all help. You can also try OTC pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Always check with a healthcare provider or pharmacist before treating children with any OTC product since some ingredients may not be safe for young children.

Strep throat is a sore throat caused by bacteria that must be treated with antibiotics. A healthcare provider can test you for strep throat to determine if it is causing your symptoms.