How to relieve a sore throat fast

Sore throats can be difficult to ignore because they often feel painful, scratchy, and dry. They can happen when your body’s immune system is fighting off a viral or bacterial infection like the flu or common cold. It may also result from reflux or a postnasal drip due to allergies.

While these conditions don’t pose a serious risk to most people’s health, finding ways to manage symptoms like a sore throat can help you continue to go about your daily routine and avoid disruptions to your sleep.

Like with most conditions, there’s no certain way to kill a sore throat overnight. But some remedies can soothe your symptoms while you recover, and the quicker you start treatments, the sooner you’ll be feeling better.

Usually, home remedies are enough to manage a sore throat. But if your symptoms worsen and make it difficult for you to breathe, medical treatment may be necessary.

If your symptoms are severe or last longer than 10 days, it may be a sign of strep throat or another severe infection, which will require immediate treatment to avoid complications.

Need a diagnosis or prescription for an upper respiratory infection (URI)? You can get discreet and expert on-demand care in as little as 15 minutes through Optum Perks with no video or appointment required. For $25, answer a few questions online and get a treatment plan from a board certified healthcare professional. Get started here.

Saltwater gargle

Gargling with warm salt water can help manage symptoms of a sore throat. The warmth will help soothe the irritation in your throat. Saltwater can act as an antiseptic, reducing bacterial growth in your throat, although saltwater gargles have not been shown to be effective at treating throat viruses.

According to the American Osteopathic Association, you should aim to gargle a warm saltwater solution once every hour.

Baking soda gargle

Dissolving baking soda into warm water for gargling can also help with symptoms of a sore throat. While baking soda is not as effective as an antiseptic as saltwater, it can prevent the growth of fungi while cleaning and removing excess mucus from your throat.

According to the National Cancer Institute, combining baking soda with a saltwater rinse every 1 to 2 hours may help relieve symptoms of a sore throat related to chemoradiation treatment, but it could benefit any type of sore throat.

You can mix 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of warm water to rinse your mouth. It may be helpful to follow this up with a plain water rinse to remove the aftertaste.

Honey

Honey has an extensive history of being useful and effective in the treatment of many different health conditions. It is rich in vitamins and minerals but also has potential anticancer and antiviral properties.

Medical-grade honey undergoes thorough sterilization. It is available as a syrup to add to your tea or to take on its own.

A 2022 review of research found that honey could be more effective at managing symptoms of a sore throat from an upper respiratory tract infection than traditional medications. However, if a doctor prescribes you medications, it’s important to take them alongside any natural remedies.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should not give honey to children under the age of 1 year.

Cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper contains the natural pain-relieving ingredient capsaicin, which can block the pain receptors in your throat. Capsaicin is also a natural compound with anti-inflammatory properties.

While there is no scientific evidence to prove that capsaicin can help relieve your sore throat, some people claim that mixing cayenne pepper, warm water, and honey can help soothe the pain.

Chamomile tea

According to a 2022 review of research, chamomile contains anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. It is a common natural remedy for minor infections, such as a common cold.

It can also act as a pain reliever. Chamomile has a pleasant aroma and mild flavor. It also contains no caffeine. This means it can help promote restful sleep, which is essential in speeding up the healing process.

Medications and other treatment options

In some instances, your sore throat may be too severe for simple home remedies to manage. Medications can help boost the healing process, such as:

Antibiotics

Bacterial infection is a common cause of sore throats. If your sore throat persists and worsens, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics. People typically notice their symptoms resolve within 1 to 3 days with antibiotics. Examples include:

• amoxicillin (Amoxil)
• ampicillin
• clindamycin (Cleocin)

Antihistamines

Allergies happen when your body mistakes a harmless substance, like pollen, for a threat. This can mean you experience a full immune response.

Allergies can cause a sore throat. If this is the case, antihistamine medications can start to work to relieve your sore throat within 30 minutes. An example is diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

Decongestants

Decongestants are usually used to reduce a stuffy nose if you have a cold or allergies. They don’t treat sore throats directly, but they can reduce postnasal drip due to colds and allergies, which can be a cause of sore throats.

A common over-the-counter decongestant is pseudoephedrine (Sudafed).

Lozenges

Sucking on a lozenge can provide relief by keeping your throat moist while helping reduce pain soon after you take them. They are available in both medicated and nonmedicated forms.

One 2018 study looking into the effects of medicated lozenges on sore throats found that, on average, people taking the lozenges saw their sore throat symptoms reduced in 5 minutes, with all symptoms resolved after 72 hours in 45% of participants.

An example of a medicated lozenge is amylmetacresol (Strepsils). It’s important to know that lozenges are not safe for small children.

If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.

When to contact a doctor

While it’s unlikely that your sore throat will disappear overnight, it should last no longer than 5 to 10 days, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO). Home remedies should also be enough to manage your symptoms until they subside.

If your sore throat gets more severe and is not the result of allergies, speak with a healthcare professional. Sometimes, you may need prescription medications — for example, if you have an infection that requires antibiotics.

The AAO suggests seeking advice from a healthcare professional if you notice:

• a fever
• severe pain
• difficulty sleeping
• ear pain
• a rash
• difficulty swallowing
• blood in your saliva

Online care for a sore throat

There is no certain way to kill a sore throat overnight if you feel one coming on, but if you think you have an infection, starting treatment right away can help you recover fast.

Online care services, including Optum Perks Online Care, may make getting treatment easier. With these services, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your symptoms, and a licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after to prescribe a treatment plan – without the need to make an in-person appointment.

Summary

Everybody gets a sore throat occasionally. While there is no way to get rid of a sore throat overnight, there are ways to help your throat heal as fast as possible, including sucking medicated lozenges, which can soothe a sore throat in 5 minutes.

If your symptoms are severe or last longer than 10 days, it may be a sign of strep throat or another severe infection. In this case, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional to understand your treatment options, whether in person or using an online care service.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.