Nasal drip and sore throat: what to know

Mucus draining behind the nose can repeatedly irritate the throat, especially overnight. Allergic rhinitis may cause sneezing and itchy eyes, while a common cold, influenza, COVID-19, tonsillitis, or another infection may bring fever, tiredness, swollen glands, or body aches. Acid reflux can also irritate the throat. Most people with allergic rhinitis notice nasal symptoms alongside the drainage, but a sore throat has several possible explanations.

Sip fluids, try warm drinks, gargle with suitably warm salty water, and use a saline nasal spray or rinse according to its instructions. Rest and avoid smoking or smoky rooms. A pharmacist can discuss pain relief or an allergy medicine if appropriate for you. Do not share antibiotics or use leftover medicine; antibiotics are not useful for every sore throat and the cause may need checking.

Contact a clinician if the sore throat is severe, keeps worsening, lasts beyond the expected course of a minor illness, or makes eating and drinking difficult. Prompt assessment is sensible with high fever, pus on the tonsils, tender neck glands, a widespread rash, or marked fatigue. Seek urgent help for difficulty breathing, inability to swallow saliva, drooling, severe one-sided throat swelling, or confusion.

Could my symptoms fit allergy, reflux, or infection? Do I need a throat examination or testing? Which medicines are safe with my other conditions, and what should I do if swallowing becomes harder?