Salt water is soothing to sore throats

Q: Does gargling with salt water really help a sore throat?

What does?

A: For an acute sore throat that isn't caused by a bacterial infection, gargling with warm salt water can be quite beneficial. Studies have shown that salt water reduces the swelling in the throat. Salt water washes away the mucus, irritants, and germs. Use one teaspoon of salt dissolved in eight fluid ounces of warm water, and gargle multiple times throughout the day. Salt dissolves better in warm water and is soothing to the throat.

Lozenges and over-the-counter sprays with numbing and cooling ingredients such as menthol or eucalyptus can also be helpful. They may not have any effect on the virus or bacteria causing the sore throat, but they increase saliva production, which helps moisturize the throat. Their numbing effects on the throat allow more fluid intake. Hydration with water, diluted juice, or chicken broth can effectively treat a sore throat as well. Resting and drinking herbal or non-herbal tea with added honey can help. Honey's antioxidant properties can help boost the immune system against the offending virus or bacteria.

A virus causes most sore throats.

But about 1 in 10 patients has a bacterial infection. If the sore throat is not getting better with home remedies, or if it comes with other symptoms such as ongoing fever, see your doctor and have a throat culture. Antibiotics are used to treat the bacterial causes of sore throats. Chronic sore throats are often caused by acid reflux and postnasal drip from allergic rhinitis. There are other serious causes of chronic sore throat, so if symptoms linger beyond one to two weeks, see

a doctor knowledgeable in ear, nose, and throat problems.