5 Ways to Treat Pharyngitis

1. Learn About Pharyngitis

Acute pharyngitis is what we commonly call a sore throat. Irritation from postnasal drip, breathing through your mouth, allergies, a cold or the flu all may cause it. In the case of a bacterial infection, pharyngitis is likely to be caused by streptococcal bacteria, also known as "strep throat." However, most cases of sore throat are viral and will not respond to antibiotics, which means you probably will not need to see a doctor.

2. Use Cough Drops for Relief

One way to ease the pain of a sore throat is to suck on soothing cough drops or throat lozenges. You could also try hard candy, which may be just as effective. Menthol and honey are just some of the medicinal ingredients in lozenges that help soothe pharyngitis. Check your local supermarket or pharmacy for the many varieties on the market.

3. Fluids and Cold Snacks

Drink plenty of clear liquids such as water or broth when you have a cold or the flu to help thin mucus secretions, which may be adding to your throat irritation. Staying hydrated keeps your throat from drying out and may prevent a dry cough that worsens the pharyngitis. Hot liquids such as tea have been used for thousands of years to help sore throats. Shop your supermarket shelves or health-food store for herbal teas that are specially formulated for sore throats. Eat ice pops to numb your pain temporarily.

4. Over-the-Counter Medications May Help

You don't need a prescription to get rid of a sore throat. Most cases of pharyngitis go away on their own within a few days. In the meantime, cold medications that relieve multiple symptoms, including pharyngitis, usually help. You could also take a mild painkiller such as acetaminophen (the ingredient in Tylenol) or use a throat spray with a numbing ingredient like benzocaine to numb the pain temporarily and ease swallowing. These are easily found in your local supermarket or pharmacy.

5. When to See a Doctor

There are times when a sore throat should be treated by a doctor. If you have been near somebody infected with strep throat or scarlet fever and you become ill, get a strep test done at your doctor's office, since both of these conditions are highly contagious. White patches on your tonsils, a fever, swollen lymph nodes and difficulty swallowing liquids are other signs that you should see a physician.
Your sore throat should be gone within a week if it's a simple case of viral pharyngitis. If it lasts longer, your neck is stiff or it comes on suddenly and is accompanied by a fever, see your doctor. These may be signs of a more serious illness such as meningitis, which is an infection of the spinal cord fluid.