If you think that your sore throat is caused by a virus, as most sore throats are, antibiotics won't help -- all you can do is make yourself feel more comfortable while your body fights off the illness. Here are some pediatrician-tested soothers.
• Run a vaporizer or a cool-mist humidifier in your bedroom to keep mucous membranes in the respiratory tract well-hydrated. A dried-out throat adds to the pain, says Alan Levine, D.O., an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.
• Drink lots of fluids. Water, juices, ginger ale, tepid tea with honey, even Popsicles can lubricate a dry throat and prevent dehydration. Cool liquids
usually feel better than warm ones, although if you have a stuffy nose, warm soup may help clear it up.
• Use pain relievers. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can relieve pain and reduce fever. Some doctors also recommend throat sprays, such as Vicks Chloraseptic. Consult your pediatrician to see what's right to use.
• Gargle with salt water...Young adults (Older Children)can gargle with a solution of one teaspoon of salt dissolved in half a cup of warm water every three to four hours. "The salt will dehydrate the germs and reduce their concentration," says John B. Allred, Ph.D., a professor of nutrition at Ohio State University, in Columbus. The salt-water solution will also help pull excess moisture out of the throat tissue, reducing inflammation.
• Get cough drops. Cough drops and sore-throat lozenges help keep your throat moist -- and kids love how they taste. Look for cough-drop lollipops if you've got a toddler with a sore throat.
• Don't talk. Talking can irritate the throat so let your voice rest
From Parents.com
