Sore Throat

A sore throat is characterised by pain or irritation in the throat that can occur with or without swallowing.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a sore throat include a painful throat, especially when swallowing, a dry, scratchy throat, redness in the back of your mouth, bad breath, a mild cough and swollen neck glands.

Common Causes

Sore throats are usually caused by viruses (like cold or flu) or from smoking. Very occasionally they can be caused by bacteria.

Common Treatments

Treatments include paracetamol or ibuprofen, medicated lozenges containing a local anaesthetic, antiseptic, or anti-inflammatory medicine, and anaesthetic spray.

Very occasionally, antibiotics may be required. Other things that can help include gargling with warm, salty water, drinking plenty of water. Avoiding smoking or smoky places, sucking ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets.

Visit Cohens Chemist

Your Cohens pharmacist can advise you about ways of relieving the pain and discomfort of a sore throat, and recommend appropriate medications as outlined above.