Sore throats are usually caused by viruses that cause colds or other upper respiratory illnesses, or bacteria, as in strep throat. Sore throats may also be caused by chemicals in such things as cigarette smoke, a scrape from something going down your throat the wrong way, allergies, postnasal drip, and sometimes cancer. Symptoms of sore throat are usually also felt throughout the body because they are present with either a viral or bacterial infection, and include fever, headache, nausea, and malaise. Signs of sore throat include pus on the surface of the tonsils, redness of the back of the throat, tender neck glands (inflamed lymph nodes), drooling and spitting due to painful swallowing, difficulty breathing, and little red blisters in the oral cavity.

First Aid for Sore Throat

The top priority for treating a sore throat is to relieve pain. This can be done in the following ways:

• Gargle with warm salt water.

• Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin (only in persons over age sixteen), and naproxen.

• Stay hydrated by drinking enough fluids — fevers often increase fluid requirements, while painful swallowing may decrease fluid intake.

Taking pain relievers may help you increase fluid intake. Stay away from caffeine because it's very dehydrating. During cold and flu season, avoiding close contact with ill people can help keep you from getting a sore throat and other viral infections.

If you have signs of a bacterial infection, such as a severe sore throat with little coughing; a fever over 101°F along with headache, abdominal pain, or vomiting; signs of dehydration including dry mouth, sunken eyes, severe weakness, or decreased urine output; or if a family member has recently had strep throat, see a doctor immediately. If you are in such pain that you can't get to sleep with OTC medication, you should see the doctor. Go to the emergency department if swallowing causes such pain that drooling occurs, you are having extreme difficulty breathing, or you have signs of significant dehydration.