What to do about a sore throat?

[Imported]

I think I got the flu. Yesterday, had a high fever and was acting like a crazy idiot on crack. Had a sore throat through that also. Today, the sore throat remained, as well as the sniffles coming in. Everytime I cough, it hurts like heck. So my question is.. what can I do about it? I absolutely hate those chloraseptic sprays or whatever.

 

[Isla]

Gargle with warm salt water.

Seriously. It works.

 

[eyor]

soup!

 

[etech]

Isla beat me too it, the warm salt water works.

I also take a long hot shower, the heat and humidity helps clean out those clogged up nasal passages.

 

[najar]

Whenever i feel like the the virus is getting the best of me i just increase my intake of Vitamine C and E, plus i make sure i get enough servings of fresh vegetables and fruits (juiced up perferably)and plenty of clean water. And it usally does the trick pretty well.
Only if I would do a little bit of this everyday consistantly i wouldn't have to deal with it at all. But hey, we are only human.

 

[OS]

lots of vitamin C

 

[Imported]

Taken my vitamins.

I guess I'll try the salt water. How much salt do I put in a glass of water?

 

[Edfan]

For cold/flu sore throat, dissolve a zinc lozenge slowly in mouth, do not chew. It acts as a local antiseptic, kills off the bacteria that cause most of the pain. Plain Zinc pills taste horribly bitter so now there are flavored ones. Buy at health food store.

Do consider that if this is strep throat and NOT a flu - you can get very (VERY) bad kidney damage if you don't treat it properly. If there are white patches at the back of your throat and a high fever - see a doctor.

 

[Regine]

Warm salt water gargles.
Inbetween those drink hot tea - Celestial Seasonings makes a "Throat Soothers" tea. It's really yummy, and sweetened with some honey it will make you feel better.

 

[Imported]

No white patches, but had a fever yesterday which is now gone. Thanks for all the suggestions.

So I'm guessing a teaspoon of salt per glass of water will do? And hopefully, the tea will help.

 

[Imported]

Just had the salt water, and drank some tea afterwards, some peach blossom tea I think. Hopefully, this'll help as I'm off to bed now.

 

[Tominator]

Cloraseptic or the same thing in a generic works wonders. Hope you feel well soon!

 

[shiner]

Watch out if you start taking Vitamin C. Too much can lead to Kidney Stones.

Also another good sore throat cure is raw garlic. Eat part of a clove and that should do the trick.

 

[Harvey]

If you're old enough and can tolerate asprin (and if you can handle the taste), dissolve a couple of tablets in warm water, and gargle with it.

 

[fir3wir3]

I can give you a remedy out of my witches handbook

but I doubt it'd work for ya

 

[PCAddict]

Use a humidifier in your bedroom. It helped me quite a bit. My room was dry and that contributed to the severity of the sore throat that accompanied the cold I had for the last 2 weeks.

I put some Vicks goop in the little medicine cup for the humidifier and that cleared me right up after a few nights.

 

[Harvey]

Amen to a humidifier!

Gargling with peanut butter doesn't work, especially chunky (Yes, j/k). Hope you feel better.

 

[madthumbs]

I think it's phenol or something like that in many medicines that chemically burns your throat (they usually have warnings about overuse on package). Avoid the chemical cures for sore throats, they can just make it worse in the long run.

Slippery Elm- There are different qualities of this natural medicinal. This was the only thing that relieved the sorest throat I ever had.

Honey- Has a mild antibiotic effect similar to sugar.

Lemon- Mild antibiotic also.

Caffeine- Mild pain killer

Ultimate- Tea with lemon, and honey. And sip on slippery elm in between cups. This medicine you can get sick of quick if you have chronic sore throats.

 

[FrontlineWarrior]

one word: fellatio

 

[PCAddict]

ROFLMAO @ DiRF!!

Although, that could cause a sore throat. Remember that episode of ER where the girl had VD in her throat from, you know...

 

[Zorro]

Jack and Coke

 

[Imported]

Feeling better. I'll have some more tea soon. Throat isn't that sore anymore. Thanks for the help.

 

[Azraele]

next time your throat's sore gargle hot sauce, you'll forget all about your throat until the burning stops

 

[HKSturboKID]

Usually when you have a soar throats, means you probably have bacteria. I usually use month wash and gargole for a couple of days and it'll go away. I use Cepacol.

 

[Namuna]

2 Things...

1. For the sore throat, use anti-bacterial mouthwash. I use Listerine and MAN! it BURNS like hell if you've got a sore throat...But after the recommended 30 seconds of gargling, say bye-bye to the sore throat

2. For those aggressive hacking coughs, try coughing into a pillow. Your body gets the satisfaction of the hard cough, but the muffling effect with the pillow stops it from hurting.

Good luck!