A sore throat can make swallowing your own spit feel like a project. Most of the time a virus is behind it, and you can feel a lot better at home while your body does the work. The trick is knowing which remedies actually help, and spotting the signs that it's strep instead.
What kills a sore throat fast?
Nothing wipes out a sore throat overnight, despite what the internet promises. What you can do is ease the pain quickly while it heals. These are the remedies the CDC recommends.
| Remedy | How to use it | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Salt water gargle | Gargle warm salt water a few times a day | Safe for older kids who can gargle without swallowing |
| Warm drinks and fluids | Tea, broth and plenty of water | Keeps your throat moist and you hydrated |
| Ice chips, popsicles or lozenges | Suck on them through the day | No lozenges for children under 4 |
| Humidifier | Run a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer | Helps most at night |
| Honey | A spoonful alone or in warm tea | Only for people age 1 and older |
| Pain relievers | Over the counter medicine as directed | Ask which ones are right for your child |
Is it a virus or strep throat?
Usually a virus. The CDC says only about 1 in 10 adults and 3 in 10 children with a sore throat actually have strep throat.
A few clues help tell them apart, though only a test can confirm strep.
- Points to a virus: cough, runny nose, hoarse voice or pink eye
- Points to strep: fever, pain when swallowing, red swollen tonsils, white patches on the tonsils, swollen glands in the front of the neck and tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth
Kids with strep sometimes get a headache, stomach pain, nausea or a rash too. Strep needs antibiotics, so it's worth testing when the signs line up. Our page on sore throat and strep throat care explains how we check.
How long does a sore throat last?
The CDC says most sore throats get better on their own within one week. A sore throat from strep usually starts to feel better faster once antibiotics begin.
If it's still bad after a few days, or it's getting worse instead of better, it's time to get checked.
Can allergies cause a sore throat?
Yes. Allergies can drip mucus down the back of your throat, which leaves it scratchy and irritated, especially in the morning. Smoke and secondhand smoke can do the same thing.
An allergy sore throat usually comes with sneezing, itchy eyes and a runny nose, without a fever. If that sounds familiar, our allergy care may help more than another bag of lozenges.
What drinks help a sore throat?
Warm drinks soothe, cold drinks numb, and both keep you hydrated, which matters more than people think.
- Warm water with honey and lemon, for anyone over age 1
- Herbal tea that isn't too hot
- Warm broth or soup
- Ice water or popsicles for numbing
Skip alcohol, which dries your throat out, and go easy on very acidic juices if they sting.
What foods should you avoid with a sore throat?
Anything scratchy, spicy or acidic can make it hurt more. Chips, crackers, toast crusts, hot sauce and citrus are the usual offenders.
Soft, cool or lukewarm foods go down easier: yogurt, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, smoothies and soup.
Why does a sore throat hurt more in the morning?
Overnight, dry air and breathing through your mouth dry out your throat. Mucus from allergies or a cold also drips down the back of your throat while you're lying down.
A humidifier, a glass of water by the bed and treating any congestion before you sleep usually make mornings easier.
Can a sore throat be a sign of something serious?
Rarely, but it happens. Get emergency care if you can't swallow your own saliva, you're drooling, you can't fully open your mouth, your voice sounds muffled with severe pain on one side, or you have trouble breathing.
Those signs can point to an infection deep in the throat that needs care right away.
How can you prevent sore throats?
Most sore throats come from viruses, so the same habits that prevent colds work here. Wash your hands often, don't share cups or utensils, stay away from smoke and get your flu shot each year.
What can you do for a sore throat and a cough?
When a sore throat comes with a cough, a cold or another virus is usually the cause. The same comfort steps help both: warm fluids, rest, a clean humidifier and a spoonful of honey for anyone older than 1. Lozenges help adults and older kids.
See a doctor if the cough lasts more than three weeks, you're short of breath, you cough up blood or you have a high fever. Our cough and pneumonia care can check your lungs and take a chest X-ray the same day.
When should you see a doctor for a sore throat?
The CDC recommends getting care for any of these:
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Symptoms that don't improve within a few days, or get worse
- Blood in your saliva or phlegm
- Heavy drooling in a young child
- Signs of dehydration
- Joint swelling and pain, or a rash
- Sore throats that keep coming back
A baby under 3 months old with a fever of 100.4 °F or higher needs medical care right away. For everyone else, you can walk in at either clinic, or start with a $59 TeleVisit.
If the sore throat came with body aches and a fever, read about our cold and flu treatment. And if it's turned into face pressure and congestion, our guide to sinus infections is a good next read.
Do throat sprays and lozenges really work?
They can help for a short while. Many sprays and lozenges contain a numbing ingredient like benzocaine or a cooling one like menthol, which dulls the pain for a bit so eating and drinking are easier. They don't treat the cause, so the soreness comes back as they wear off.
Be careful with young kids. The CDC says not to give lozenges to children under 4 because they can choke, and the FDA warns that over the counter benzocaine products should not be used for children younger than 2 because of the risk of a rare but serious blood disorder.
What happens during a strep test?
A strep test is quick. The doctor or nurse swabs the back of your throat and your tonsils with a long cotton swab, which can make you gag for a second but doesn't hurt. A rapid test gives results in minutes, while you are still at the clinic.
If the rapid test is negative but strep still looks likely, especially in a child, a throat culture may be sent to a lab to double check. If you do have strep, you get antibiotics, and the doctor tells you when it's safe to go back to work or school. Read more about our strep testing.
Is it safe to exercise with a sore throat?
A light walk is usually fine if your symptoms are mild and above the neck, like a scratchy throat or a runny nose. Rest instead if you have a fever, body aches, chest congestion or trouble swallowing, since a hard workout can make you feel worse and slow your recovery.
If you were diagnosed with strep, wait until the doctor says you are no longer contagious before going back to team practice or the gym, and don't share water bottles. Sports physicals for school are a separate visit, and we can do those once you feel better. See our school and sports physicals.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get rid of a sore throat overnight?
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Usually not completely, since most sore throats take several days to heal. You can wake up feeling much better by running a humidifier, drinking warm fluids before bed, gargling salt water and taking a pain reliever as directed. Honey helps for anyone over age 1.
Does Tylenol help with a sore throat?
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Acetaminophen can ease sore throat pain and bring down a fever, but it doesn't treat the cause. Use it as directed on the label, and ask a pharmacist or doctor about the right dose for children before giving it.
Do you need antibiotics for a sore throat?
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Only if a bacterial infection like strep throat is found. Most sore throats are caused by viruses, and antibiotics won't help those at all. A quick test tells your doctor whether antibiotics will actually work for you, which saves you side effects from medicine you don't need.
Is a sore throat with no fever strep?
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It can be, but strep usually comes with a fever, swollen tonsils and no cough. A sore throat with a cough, runny nose or hoarse voice is more likely a virus. A test is the only way to know for sure.
- Sore Throat Basics, CDC
- Strep Throat, CDC
- Risk of Serious Blood Disorder With Oral Benzocaine Products, FDA
This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for medical advice. If you think you have a medical emergency, call 911.
