If you have sore throat what to do?

A sore throat can occur with a common cold, influenza, COVID-19, allergic rhinitis or irritation from acid reflux. Tonsillitis and strep throat are other possibilities. The symptom alone cannot identify the cause; fever, cough, nasal symptoms, swollen glands, exposure history and examination help guide assessment.

Sip water or warm drinks, choose soft foods, and avoid smoke or other throat irritants. Gargling with warm salt water may soothe some adults and older children who can gargle safely. Follow the label for any pain medicine and check with a pharmacist if you are pregnant, treating a child, or have another condition. Stay home from close contact when feverish or unwell, and consider local testing advice if COVID-19 is possible.

Arrange a review if the pain is severe, keeps worsening, makes swallowing difficult, or does not begin to settle. Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, inability to swallow saliva, drooling, marked dehydration, a muffled voice, one-sided throat swelling, or a rapidly enlarging neck. A child who is unusually sleepy or struggling to breathe needs urgent assessment.

Ask what cause is most consistent with your other symptoms, whether an examination or throat test is needed, which medicines are suitable, and when you should return if recovery does not follow the expected pattern.