Sore throat

To help soothe a sore throat and shorten how long it lasts, you can:

  • gargle with warm, salty water (children should not try this)
  • drink plenty of water
  • eat cool or soft foods
  • avoid smoking or smoky places
  • suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets – but do not give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking
  • rest

Video: how to treat a sore throat

This video shows you how to treat a sore throat.

Media last reviewed: 14 July 2023
Media review due: 14 July 2026

You can ask a pharmacist about ways of relieving the pain and discomfort of a sore throat, such as:

  • paracetamol or ibuprofen
  • medicated lozenges containing a local anaesthetic, antiseptic, or anti-inflammatory medicine
  • anaesthetic spray (although there's little proof they help when used on their own)

You can buy these treatments from a supermarket or pharmacy without a prescription.

A pharmacist can also provide other treatments if you need them, without you seeing a GP.

Some medicines are not safe for everyone (for example, if you're pregnant). Always check the leaflet or speak to a pharmacist before taking them.

Find a pharmacy

You do not normally need antibiotics for a sore throat because they will not usually relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.

You'll only be given antibiotics if you could have a bacterial infection.

Speak to a GP if:

  • your sore throat does not improve after a week
  • you often get a sore throat

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get advice from 111 now if:

  • you're worried about your sore throat
  • you have a sore throat and a very high temperature, or you feel hot and shivery
  • you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of diabetes or chemotherapy

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

You or your child:

  • have difficulty breathing or are unable to swallow
  • are drooling – this can be a sign of not being able to swallow
  • are making a high-pitched sound as you breathe (called stridor)
  • have severe symptoms and are getting worse quickly

If you have a sore throat you might have:

  • a painful throat, especially when swallowing
  • a dry, scratchy throat
  • redness in the back of your mouth
  • bad breath
  • a mild cough
  • swollen neck glands

The symptoms are similar for children, but children can also get a high temperature and appear less active.

Sore throats are usually caused by viruses (like cold or flu) or from smoking. Very occasionally they can be caused by bacteria.

A sore throat can also be caused by: