Clean your humidifier every week to prevent bacteria or mold from growing in it. If your throat feels particularly scratchy, try taking a hot shower and spending time in the steamy bathroom.
Avoid spicy foods like chicken wings, pepperoni pizza, or anything with hot peppery, curry, or garlic. Avoid hard or sticky foods that might be hard to swallow. Examples include peanut butter, dry bread, toast or crackers, raw vegetables or fruits, and dry cereals.
You might also use a food processor to puree foods for easier swallowing. [6] X Research source
Try adding a teaspoon of honey to the water. Honey has antibacterial properties and can help soothe and coat the throat. [8] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Add some honey or lemon to your tea for flavor.
A sore throat that lasts longer than a week or seems severe Difficulty swallowing Difficulty breathing Difficulty in opening your mouth Pain in your jaw joint Joint pain, especially new pains Earache Rash Fever higher than 101 F (38. 3 C) Blood in your saliva or phlegm Frequently recurring sore throats A lump or mass in your neck Hoarseness that lasts more than two weeks
Fever Chills Coughing Runny nose Sneezing Body aches Headache Nausea or vomiting
The doctor may also order a CBC (complete blood count) to check for an infection, or they may test you for allergies.
Over the counter NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). Never give aspirin to a child under the age of 16, as it may cause Reye’s Syndrome.
