How To Cure A Sore Throat Fast

Whether you have a cold, flu, or more severe ailment, one of the worst symptoms can be a sore throat – so let’s go over how to cure a sore throat fast.

Having a sore throat makes everyday tasks like eating, drinking and talking painful and can affect your quality of life. 

So, most people want to remedy a sore throat as quickly as possible to gain some semblance of normality while fighting the rest of the illness.

Luckily, many medications and home remedies can soothe a sore throat. Whether or not you can cure a sore throat depends on its cause. 

Dry air and smoking can cause superficial pain, while acid reflux and viral infections like the flu or a common cold and bacterial infections like strep can all lead to a painful throat that needs a different approach. Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics.

A sore throat caused by a viral infection will most likely persist for five to seven days. You won’t require medical treatment, but you can do things to soothe it while you work through the infection. Antibiotics don’t treat a viral infection. 

The pain may worsen when you try to swallow, making it difficult to consume foods and liquids.

In this instance, buying throat lozenges with a numbing agent is your best bet for managing your pain. 

Even if a sore throat isn’t severe, it doesn’t hurt to ensure there’s no lingering infection. Ask your GP to inspect your throat so that you know exactly what to treat.

Having an Affinity Health Day-to-Day and Combined Plan gives members access to unlimited, telephonic consultations with a Nurse, Doctor or Mental Health Professional. When you fall ill, need a sick note or require acute medication, you can contact a Health Professional, by either:

calling Affinity Health directly on 0861 11 00 33 or by sending a “please call me” to 072 528 7971.

During the telephonic consultation, the Health Professional will assess your symptoms to determine a diagnosis and then, if necessary, prescribe medication and send you a sick note.

Prescribed medication is subject to a 1-month waiting period and the Affinity Health medicine formulary.

Should the Health Professional be unable to assist you due to the severity of your condition, you will be authorised and referred to an Affinity Health Network GP for a physical consultation.

Throat Swab

If your doctor suspects your sore throat is caused by streptococcal bacteria, they might take a culture (swab your throat) and send it to a lab for testing. Strep throat results take between 24 and 48 hours to confirm.

In some cases, doctors use a molecular test to diagnose streptococcal bacteria, says Mayo Clinic. If you test positive for strep throat, you will treat the infection with a combination of antibiotics and pain medication. Your doctor may also advise you to take a probiotic while you’re on a course of antibiotics. 

Rest

It’s important to rest when you’re fighting any illness. Yes, a painful throat may stop you from getting a good night’s rest, but try to get as much as possible. Being out and about, straining your voice and exhausting your body will only worsen the pain and most likely result in you temporarily having a hoarded voice or no voice. 

Saltwater Rinse

A saltwater gargle can help relieve a scratchy, sore throat. It’s best to dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in lukewarm water and gargle it while still warm. 

Saltwater is a natural remedy that assists in killing bacteria whilst loosening any excess mucus in your throat. Note that this isn’t a medicinal remedy; it can only help relieve symptoms while you wait for your medical consultation.

Pain Meds

Over-the-counter pain medications are available to help treat your sore throat. You can buy these in the form of numbing sprays and lozenges, which bring temporary relief to a sore throat. Numbing sprays have a special nozzle designed to reach the throat to administer the liquid. If you make use of this option, remember to clean the nozzle after each use.

Throat lozenges work the same way. The relief they give you can last longer than that given by a spray, however. This is because you’re able to suck on the lozenge for about 20 minutes before it dissolves. 

Other Pain Management Remedies Include: 

• Get a humidifier. Using a cool-air humidifier will eliminate the dry air that can irritate a sore throat. Sitting in a steamy bathroom also has the same effect.
• For kids, try logenze lollipops. Normal-shaped throat lozenges can be a choking hazard, but many brands have redesigned them into flatter, wider discs and added lollipop sticks. 
• Stop smoking! Cigarette smoke can irritate the throat and cause even worse issues like cancer.
• Drink icy liquids. Slushies are a great way to cool the throat. Inflammation is hot, and cooling off the area can really give you relief. Much like icing a sprained muscle can dull the pain and prevent swelling, cold drinks can numb your throat and calm some of the inflammation.