Sore Throat Treatment – Know the Facts

A sore throat is often caused by an infection in the throat. The infection is usually caused by a virus or bacteria. Sore throats can also be caused by allergies and tobacco smoke. A sore throat can be a symptom of many different medical disorders.

A sore throat is a common and minor condition in which the back of the throat becomes irritated in most cases (90% of them) is cause by a virus, such as the one that causes colds and flu or the bacteria that cause strep infection. In cases of bacterial or viral infections most antibiotics are ineffective.

Treating bacterial infections - At one time, doctors automatically treated all sore throats with antibiotics, both to cure the infection and to prevent dangerous complications such as rheumatic fever. Now, doctors are much less likely to prescribe medication because the overuse of antibiotics has led to an increase in antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. What's more, antibiotics such as penicillin do little to hasten recovery from strep throat or to reduce signs and symptoms, and they don't prevent infections from recurring. Be sure your doctor performs a rapid strep test before prescribing any antibiotic for a sore throat.

Cinnamon is regarded as an effective remedy for a sore throat resulting from a cold. One teaspoon of coarsely powdered cinnamon, boiled in a glass of water with a pinch of pepper powder, and two teaspoons of honey can be taken as a medicine in the treatment of this condition. Two or three drops of cinnamon oil, mixed with a teaspoon of honey, also give immense relief.

Liquorice is a recognized home remedy for sore throat in all parts of India. A small piece of raw liquorice should he chewed or sucked for treating this condition. The healing property of the herb soothes inflammation quickly.

If your child has repeated infections of the tonsils (tonsillitis), a tonsillectomy may be considered. A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure where the tonsils are removed from the throat. See the 'related articles' section for more information about tonsillitis.

Surgical drainage of an abscess behind a tonsil (peritonsillar abscess) or between the spine and pharynx (retropharyngeal abscess) is required in rare cases. Tonsillectomy or surgical removal of the tonsils is occasionally indicated for tonsillitis that returns often (once a month).

Gargle with cayenne pepper and water mixture: 1/2 - 2 tsp. cayenne per glass of water, as strong as you can stand. Repeat as necessary, multiple times a day. Numbs and releives really bad sore throats.

Warm a cup of milk, add a teaspoon of turmeric powder and a teaspoon of sugar. Drink this 3 times a day.

Bacterial infection, especially from streptococcal bacteria (strep throat). Symptoms are much like those of a viral infection but may be more severe and long lasting. Often a bacterial infection is accompanied by headache, stomachache, and swollen glands in the neck. A strep infection is generally treated with antibiotics because permanent heart or kidney damage can result. Culturing the bacteria is the only way a doctor can determine the cause of the sore throat.