Sore Throat
Pharyngitis

What to do:

• Drink more water. Honey and lemon in hot water or herbal teas are good, too.
• Gargle with warm salt water.
• Suck on a hard candy, vitamin C drop or throat lozenge.
• Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve pain. Read the label for a child's dose.
    

Call your doctor if:

• You have a hard time swallowing or breathing.
• You get a sore throat after being exposed to strep throat.
• You also have a fever over 101° or rash with a sore throat.
• You cannot trace the cause to a cold, allergy, smoking, yelling or other irritation.

Developed in collaboration with: Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and Washington AWARE-Washington State Medical Association

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Family Physicians, and Healthwise

Antibiotics don't work against viral infections. A sore throat from a virus will get better on its own within a week or two. Antibiotics won't make a sore throat go away any faster if it is caused by a virus. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed may harm you by creating stronger germs.

Talk with your health care provider about medicines that can help you feel better. For sore throats caused by allergies, your provider can help you figure out how to avoid the things that trigger your allergies.

Some sore throats, such as strep throat, are caused by bacteria. Your health care provider can do a test to see if you have strep throat. Signs of strep throat include throat pain, fever, swollen glands and white patches or pus in the throat. It is contagious and more common in children ages 4 to 11. Strep throat is a serious infection that usually needs to be treated with antibiotics. If your test shows you have strep, your provider may give you antibiotics. Always finish the entire prescription-the last few pills kill the toughest germs.

The best way to prevent infections is to wash your hands. Germs are spread when you touch your hands to your mouth, nose and eyes. Washing your hands often with soap and warm water will help keep germs from entering your body. To prevent sore throats don't smoke, and avoid things that cause allergies, such as dust, pollen and fumes. Drink lots of water, and get plenty of rest.

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