Simple self-care measures such as drinking plenty of fluids, eating cool or soft foods, avoiding smoking, and getting adequate rest may help ease discomfort. Adults may also find relief by gargling warm salty water or sucking on ice cubes, ice lollies, or hard sweets.

Over-the-counter treatments such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, medicated lozenges, and numbing throat sprays can also help relieve pain and irritation. In cases where allergies are contributing to symptoms, antihistamines may also be beneficial.

Through the FREE NHS Pharmacy First service, our pharmacist can assess your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment without the need for a GP appointment.

Other possible causes include bacterial infections, such as Streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat), which may require medical treatment.

A sore throat can also be triggered by non-infectious factors such as allergies, dry air, smoking, pollution, or straining the voice.

Tonsillitis

Sinusitis

Ear infections (such as otitis media)

Scarlet fever (in children)

Peritonsillar abscess (a build-up of pus near the tonsils)

Rheumatic fever (rare, but serious)

The NHS advises seeking medical attention if symptoms are severe, persistent, or worsening, or if there are signs such as difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, or high