  hat rough, scratchy feeling at the back of your throat makes it uncomfortable to talk or swallow. It usually accompanies a cold, the flu, laryngitis, infectious mononucleosis or common childhood viral illness such as chickenpox, mumps or measles. Help bring relief to a painful sore throat with these steps.  Don’t smoke.
Avoid smoke-filled rooms and chemical fumes. Drink lots of liquid to thin the mucus. Gargle warm salt water to clear your throat of mucus. Take pain relievers such as acetaminophen or aspirin (but never give aspirin to children). Don’t talk if your sore throat is caused by laryngitis. Keep your throat and sinuses moist with the following:
• Suck on cough drops or hard candy.  A sore throat may also indicate a strep infection (a bacterial infection that can lead to serious complications). If you have fever, exhaustion, a rash (that begins on the neck or upper trunk and spreads rapidly) or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or if your sore throat persists for more than 48 hours, see your doctor. © Your HealthStyle, 1999. |
