We answer questions such as 'how to get relief from a sore throat or tonsilitis?' Whilst sharing our helpful remedies & recovery tips
Sore throats are very common and are often the first sign of a cold. They tend to get better on their own in less than a week and are usually nothing to worry about, but there are small ways to help manage your symptoms, so you feel less uncomfortable.
Symptoms of a sore throat
Sore throats are usually caused by viruses (e.g. cold or flu) or by smoking. They’re occasionally caused by bacteria. Symptoms include:
• Painful throat, especially when swallowing
• Dry, scratchy throat
• Redness in the back of the mouth
• Bad breath
• Mild cough
• Swollen neck glands
Common causes of a sore throat
• A viral infection, such as the common cold or flu
• A bacterial infection, such as streptococcus (known as strep throat)
• Allergies (to mould, dust or pollen, for example)
• Smoking
Remedies for a sore throat
A sore throat generally lasts two to three days and gets better within a week. There are a few things you can try that may soothe a sore throat and quicken your recovery:
• Gargle with warm salty water
• Drink plenty of water, our practical tips can help! (six to eight glasses of fluids a day is a good goal for most people) but avoid hot drinks
• Eat cool or soft foods
• Avoid smoking or smoky areas
• Take rest
• Suck ice cubes or hard sweets (although don’t give children anything small or hard to suck, to avoid the risk of choking)
If you think you could benefit from using a medicine for a sore throat, ask your pharmacy team for appropriate over-the-counter recommendations (such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, medicated lozenges or anaesthetic sprays) that could help relieve the pain or discomfort of your sore throat.
Symptoms of tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, which are two soft masses at the back of the throat. It's generally caused by a viral infection or, occasionally, a bacterial infection. It’s a common condition in children, but teenagers and adults can get it as well.
Tonsillitis may feel like a severe cold or flu, with red and swollen tonsils, a sore throat and sometimes fever or coughing. Less frequently, you may have swollen or painful glands in your neck, white pus-filled spots on your tonsils or bad breath.
Treating tonsillitis
Mild tonsillitis will usually go away after three to four days. To ease symptoms, you can:
• Drink cool drinks that soothe the throat
• Gargle with warm, salty water
• Take rest
• Use lozenges, throat sprays and antiseptic solutions, as suggested by your pharmacist
If you have a severe case of tonsillitis that doesn't clear up on its own, visit your GP. If the infection is suspected to be bacterial, they may prescribe a course of antibiotics.
Symptoms of strep throat
Strep throat is a type of bacterial throat infection and accounts for a small proportion of sore throats. Common symptoms include:
• Red, sore throat
• Fever
• Headache
• Swollen lymph nodes (lumps) in the neck and under the jaw
Treating strep throat
If you think you might have strep throat, consult your GP for diagnosis and advice on treatment options. Your GP may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
How can your pharmacist help?
Whether you’re looking for advice on your symptoms or suitable medicine for a sore throat, your pharmacist can help and should be one of the first places you go to for advice.
The good news is if you need healthcare advice quickly, you won’t need to make an appointment to speak to your pharmacist. Just pop down to your local Boots pharmacy and a member of our pharmacy team may be available to assist you. During busy periods, a pharmacist may not be available. Waiting times can also vary.
In order for our pharmacy teams to give you the best possible care, you may be asked questions about your symptoms and given advice on how you can manage them moving forward. If you would like to speak in private most of our stores have a private consultation room where you can speak to a member of our pharmacy team discreetly.
If our pharmacist feels your symptoms require further support or advice they may refer you to another healthcare professional, such as your GP.
When should you see a GP for your sore throat?
• You've had a sore throat for over a week
• You often get sore throats
• You have a sore throat with a very high temperature or you feel hot and shivery
• You have a weakened immune system (e.g. if you have HIV, are having chemotherapy, or are taking medicine that suppresses your immune system)
• You have white pus-filled spots on the tonsils or back of the throat
• You're experiencing strep throat symptoms, such as a sore throat accompanied by fever or swollen lymph nodes
Next steps
• To help soothe a sore throat, you can treat it with at-home remedies. Speak to your pharmacist for advice about which medicines may help
• If your symptoms worsen, last longer than a week or occur frequently, consult your GP
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