Sore Throat? Here’s what to do

Category: General Health

Read Time: 2 minutes

Author: Dr Sylvester Mooney

Published: April 8, 2015

Sore throats can be painful, but they’re extremely common. Most people suffer from a sore throat at least two or three times a year. Most often, they’re a symptom of another illness – usually a virus such as a cold or flu or in some cases, bacterial infections. Both types of sore throats occur during the winter months when the incidence of respiratory disease is highest while strep throat occurs most often in autumn and spring. The good news is that a sore throat is easily treated! Our doctors talk us through the best way of treating the illness that doesn’t include a trip to your GP.

Sore throat? Here’s What to Do

Here, we have gathered some of our top tips to help you ease symptoms and promote healing.

 

Q. Help! I’ve a Sore Throat. What’s The Best Course of Action?

A. The trick is to commence treatment as soon as you feel a sore throat coming on – even if it wakes you from your sleep! There are several medicines available without prescription on an ‘over-the-counter’ (OTC) basis which, when started early, can ease symptoms and might just help avoid a visit to your doctor.

 

Q. What OTC Medicine Should I Use?

A. Treat with a TCP gargle – one part TCP solution should be diluted with five parts hot water. Then sip and gargle with it for 10 minutes. Don’t swallow the solution; just spit it out when you’re finished gargling it. This can be repeated every four to six hours until the sore throat eases.

 

Q. I’ve Trie Gargling and My Throat Still Hurts a Bit.

A. You can also try either regular paracetamol (that is 2 x 500mg tablets) every four to six hours or 2 x 200mg tablets of ibuprofen every eight hours. This helps keep a fever under control and can help ease the pain from the sore throat. Also, you can try some Strepsils Plus Throat spray which is very useful to numb a sore throat when you want to eat or take fluids.

 

Q. Any Other Tips?

A. Fever usually accompanies a sore throat, therefore you lose more fluids and so become relatively dehydrated. Ensure you increase your fluid intake to compensate for this (drinking fluids also helps to ease associated muscle pains and headaches).

These measures need to be continued regularly for three to four days. If symptoms get worse, particularly if you cannot swallow your saliva, then you must seek medical attention. You can speak to an Irish-registered GP from the comfort of your own home with our convenient Online Video Consultation service.