Sore throat
Sore throat
Overview
British Sign Language (BSL)
Return to Symptoms
Next Review Date:
Find your local services
Search for a service near you by entering your postcode below.
Please input your postcode in the following format: A12 1BC
NHS inform has more information on this condition.
You told us your credentials were:
You said:
Based on the information you gave us, we made the following recommendation:
Sore throats are very common and usually nothing to worry about. They normally get better within a week.
Most are caused by minor illnesses such as cold or flu and can be treated at home.
Common Symptoms
Symptom information is not available for this condition yet.
Emergency Warning Signs
When to get professional advice
Go to A&E or phone 999 if:
You or your child have:
- symptoms that are severe or getting worse quickly
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- severe pain
- started drooling
- a muffled voice
- a high-pitched sound as you breathe (stridor)
If you have a sore throat, you can get advice and treatment directly from a pharmacy.
You don’t usually need to get medical advice if you have a sore throat. Your pharmacist may advise you to see your GP if:
- your symptoms are severe – for example with a high temperature or you feel shivery
- you have persistent symptoms that haven’t started to improve after a week
- you experience severe sore throats frequently
- you have a weak immune system – for example, you have HIV, are having chemotherapy, or are taking medication that suppresses your immune system
If your GP practice is closed, phone 111.
If you have a persistent sore throat (one that lasts 3 to 4 weeks), you should see your GP who may refer you for further tests. This is because your sore throat may be a symptom of a more serious condition.
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
When to get professional advice
Go to A&E or phone 999 if:
You or your child have:
- symptoms that are severe or getting worse quickly
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- severe pain
- started drooling
- a muffled voice
- a high-pitched sound as you breathe (stridor)
If you have a sore throat, you can get advice and treatment directly from a pharmacy.
You don’t usually need to get medical advice if you have a sore throat. Your pharmacist may advise you to see your GP if:
- your symptoms are severe – for example with a high temperature or you feel shivery
- you have persistent symptoms that haven’t started to improve after a week
- you experience severe sore throats frequently
- you have a weak immune system – for example, you have HIV, are having chemotherapy, or are taking medication that suppresses your immune system
If your GP practice is closed, phone 111.
If you have a persistent sore throat (one that lasts 3 to 4 weeks), you should see your GP who may refer you for further tests. This is because your sore throat may be a symptom of a more serious condition.
Causes
It is not always clear what is causing a sore throat. In most cases, though, it is a symptom of a viral or bacterial infection.
Common causes
A sore throat is often a symptom of one of the following:
- Colds or flu. You may also have a blocked or runny nose, a cough, a high temperature (fever), a headache and general aches.
- Laryngitis (inflammation of the voice box). You may also have a hoarse voice, a dry cough and a constant need to clear your throat.
- Tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils). You may also have red or spotty tonsils, discomfort when swallowing and a fever.
- Strep throat (a bacterial throat infection). You may also have swollen glands in your neck, discomfort when swallowing and tonsillitis.
- Glandular fever. You may also feel very tired, have a fever and have swollen glands in your neck.
A sore throat can also be caused by something irritating your throat. Examples include smoke, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (where acid leaks up from the stomach) and allergies.
Less common causes
Less often, a sore throat can be a sign of:
- A painful collection of pus at the back of the throat (quinsy). The pain may be severe, and you may also find it difficult to open your mouth or to swallow.
- Inflammation of the flap of tissue at the back of the throat (epiglottitis). The pain may be severe, and you may have difficulty breathing and difficulty swallowing.
These conditions are more serious and should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible.
Treatment
There are a number of things you can do at home to ease a sore throat.
What helps
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for the pain. Paracetamol is the better choice for children and for anyone who cannot take ibuprofen. Never give aspirin to a child under 16.
- Drink plenty of fluids, either cool or warm, but stay away from very hot drinks.
- Choose cool, soft foods that are easy to swallow.
- Avoid smoking, and keep away from smoky places.
- Suck on lozenges, hard sweets, ice cubes or ice lollies. Do not give young children anything small and hard to suck, as they could choke on it.
- Gargle with a homemade salt-water mouthwash. Children should not try this.
To make the salt-water gargle:
- Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Warm water helps the salt dissolve.
- Gargle with the solution, then spit it out. Do not swallow it.
- Repeat as often as you like.
Pharmacies also sell products such as medicated lozenges and throat sprays that you may want to try. There is not much scientific evidence that they help, although some people find them worth using.
Antibiotics are not usually prescribed for a sore throat, even when a bacterial infection is the cause. They are unlikely to make you feel better any faster, and they have unpleasant side effects.
Sore throat self-help guide
This advice is for people aged 3 years or older who have the symptoms of a sore throat. Complete our self-help guide to check your symptoms and find out what to do next.