Read up on Sore throat treatment options at Consumer Reports Health.

Sore throat

Key points about treatments

Treatments can help to relieve the pain of a sore throat. You won't usually need to see your doctor.

You may want to try some home remedies such as drinking warm tea with honey or gargling with salt water. Most simple remedies aim to keep your throat lubricated. To read more, see Home remedies for a sore throat.

Painkillers such as acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen can help relieve the pain of a sore throat. You can buy these from a drugstore.
antibiotics
These medications are used to help your immune system fight infection. There are a number of different types of antibiotics that work in different ways to get rid of bacteria, parasites and other infectious agents. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.

Antibiotics help some people, but they can have side effects. You don't usually need them for a sore throat unless the sore throat is caused by bacteria called Streptococcus.

This information was last updated on Dec 05, 2007

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
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