GoodRx Holdings Inc.

09/20/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/20/2024 14:47

Is Sore Throat a Symptom of COVID-19? Yes, These 9 Remedies Can Help You Feel Better Fast

If you've recently been diagnosed withCOVID-19, a sore throat might have been your first clue that something wasn't right.Studies showthat sore throat is now a common symptom of COVID illness. In onesurvey, more than half of people in the U.K. reported having a sore throat when they had COVID-19.

COVID sore throat can be very painful. If you're looking for ways to treat your COVID sore throat, here are nine science-backed ways to feel better faster.

What are the symptoms of COVID sore throat? Pain is the biggest symptom of COVID sore throat. But it varies from person to person. Some people describe COVID sore throat asthe most painful sore throatthey've ever experienced. Others report having a sore throat that's similar to one caused by a regular cold.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

Other COVID sore throat symptoms that people notice include:

  • Pain when swallowing or talking
  • Itching in the throat
  • Redness in the back of the throat

People may also experience other commonsymptoms of COVID-19, like:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Headache

What are the best COVID sore throat remedies? There's no cure for COVID-19. And, since the illness is caused by a virus,antibiotics won't helpyour sore throat feel better.

But there are plenty of treatments you can try at home to get quick relief from your COVID sore throat.

There aren't studies comparing these treatments, so it's impossible to say which option is the best. The right COVID sore throat remedy for you could be a combination of two or more of these options.

1. Cold liquids Cold liquids or foods are like an ice pack for the throat. And they're some of the bestfoods to help relieve a sore throat. Sipping on cold liquids throughout the day can help relieve your sore throat symptoms. You can also try ice chips, popsicles, and ice cream.

2. Warm fluids Heat can also help soothe inflammation. Some people swear byheat versus cold for pain relief. But there's no evidence thatone is actually betterthan the other, especially for relieving sore throats. So, if you don't get relief with cold liquids, try warm ones instead.

And, even if cold liquids do help, don't be afraid to switch it up and also include warm fluids for their soothing effects. Just make sure the liquids aren't too hot, so you don't burn your throat and worsen the pain. Good options include warm tea, broth, and soups.

3. Over-the-counter pain relievers Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin), can relieve your COVID sore throat pain for a few hours at a time.

Some studies show thatibuprofen works better for sore throatpain relief than acetaminophen. While these studies didn't specifically look at COVID sore throat, it's clear that either medication can help lessen sore throat pain.

If you have certain medical conditions, one of these medications may be safer for you than others. A healthcare professional can give you advice on which pain reliever you should choose.

4. Throat lozenges and sprays OTCthroat lozengesandsprayscan also provide pain relief. Sprays can be harder to use, so most people opt for lozenges. But, for young children and older people with swallowing difficulties, lozenges are a choking hazard, so a spray is the way to go.

These products relieve COVID sore throat by temporarily numbing the area. Look for lozenges and spray with these active ingredients:

  • Menthol
  • Dyclonine
  • Benzocaine

Some lozenges contain both menthol and benzocaine, which may offer additional relief.

You can also tryhoney, which can coat the back of your throat and provide pain relief. There's no data to show that honey specifically helps relieve COVID sore throat. But research shows thathoney can relieve throat painin adults who have other types of sore throat. Honey is a safe option to try for anyone over 12-months old.

5. Saltwater gargles This common home remedy can help relieve sore throat and pain from mouth inflammation. One study showed thatsaltwater gargles relieved sore throat painjust as well as a prescription-strength numbing agent.

Here's how to do a saltwater gargle:

  1. Mix ½ tsp of salt in 8 oz of warm water. Stir until all the salt is dissolved.
  2. Take a sip, tilt your head back, and gargle for about 10 seconds.
  3. Spit the salt water out into a sink.
  4. Repeat this process until your pain feels better.

You can do a saltwater gargle every 3 hours.

6. Moist air Breathing in moist air may help soothe your sore throat. You can breathe in the steam from a shower or even a hot bowl of water. You can alsorun a humidifier, which may also help other COVID-19 symptoms, like congestion.

7. Complementary and alternative medicine There aren't studies looking at complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments for COVID sore throat. But some studies have looked at CAM and sore throat from other causes. There's some evidence thatacupuncturecan temporarily relieve sore throat. There's also evidence thattraditional Chinese herbscan relieve throat pain.

8. COVID-19 antivirals If you're at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness, you may be eligible forantiviral treatment. Antivirals can help keep you from getting severely sick and may also relieve your symptoms. If you're at risk for developing severe COVID-19 illness, talk to a healthcare professional about antiviral treatment.

Paxlovidis the most commonly prescribed COVID-19 antiviral. For it to help, you need to start it by the fifth day of your symptoms. Paxlovid and other COVID-19 antivirals are only available by prescription.

9. Throat rest Giving your throat a break, known as throat rest, isn't exactly a treatment. But it can keep you from accidentally making your COVID sore throat worse.

Until you recover, avoid things that can irritate your throat, such as:

  • Crunchy foods (like chips), which can have sharp edges that might scratch the throat
  • Spicy and acidic foods (including coffee), which can further irritate the throat
  • Smoke, which dries out the throat and makes throat pain worse

It's also a good idea to avoid shouting and yelling. This can strain your throat muscles and vocal cords and worsen your sore throat.

How do you know if your sore throat is caused by COVID-19 or something else? You can't tell if your sore throat is from COVID-19 or something else based on your symptoms alone. You'll need to get a COVID test to know for sure whether your symptoms are from COVID or another infection.

Here some things to keep in mind:

How long does a COVID-19 sore throat last? Most symptoms of COVID-19 last anywhere from several days to 2 weeks. But this can vary from person to person.

COVID sore throat usually starts feeling better after a week, though it may take a little longer to completely go away. If your sore throat isn't getting better within a week, or if it's getting worse,check in with a healthcare professional.

h2]:mt-0
[&h2]:mb-[12px]
[&h2]:font-header-m
sm:[&h2]:font-header-l
[&p:first-of-type]:mt-0
[&ul:first-of-type]:mt-0
[&ol:first-of-type]:mt-0
[&*:last-child]:mb-0
[&*:last-childli:last-child]:mb-0
" data-qa="ContentCalloutH2Title" The bottom line Having a sore throat is a common symptom of many viral illnesses, including COVID-19. COVID sore throat can be very painful. But there are several home remedies that can help. Great options include warm fluids, cold liquids, over-the-counter pain relievers (Tylenol, Motrin), and lozenges with menthol.

Although there's no single "best" option, you can use several remedies together to get the best results. If you're at risk for developing serious COVID-19 illness, antiviral treatment, like Paxlovid, can help keep you healthy and relieve your sore throat.