To get rid of a sore throat fast, use a combination of home remedies and over-the-counter therapies targeting pain relief and throat irritation.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids like warm teas with honey, broth-based soups, and room temperature water to keep your throat moist and reduce inflammation[1].
- Gargle with salt water: Mix ½ teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and gargle for 30 seconds, 2–3 times per day. This can reduce swelling, loosen mucus, and help remove irritants[1][3][4][5].
- Use a humidifier: Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier soothes dry throat symptoms and can make you more comfortable, especially in winter[1][3][7].
- Try over-the-counter medications: Pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen reduce discomfort and inflammation. Throat lozenges, sprays, and medicated sweets can provide temporary pain relief[1][2][4][5][8].
- Eat soothing foods: Soft, cool, or warm foods—such as oatmeal, bananas, applesauce, herbal teas, or popsicles—can help calm the throat[1][5].
- Rest your voice: Speak softly, avoid yelling, and give your vocal cords time to heal[1][3].
- Avoid irritants: Smoke, cleaning fumes, and allergens can all make a sore throat worse, so stay away from them as much as possible[1][5].
If your sore throat is very severe, lasts more than a week, or is accompanied by high fever, rash, or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention as it may be a sign of a bacterial infection or another serious condition[3][4].
References
- [1] Top Sore Throat Remedies That Actually Work – ENT and Allergy Associates
- [2] What’s the best medicine for sore throat? – Drugs.com
- [3] Sore Throat Relief: Home Remedies & When to Seek Professional Help – Greater Knoxville ENT
- [4] Pharyngitis – sore throat – Penn Medicine
- [5] Sore throat – NHS
- [7] 10 Remedies to Soothe Your Sore Throat Pain – Vicks
- [8] Soothing a Sore Throat | NIH News in Health
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