Soar throat, medically known as pharyngitis, is a swelling of the throat. In most casesit is painful. Pharyngitis like other inflammatory ailments can be mild, characterized bya quick onset and short time existence, or chronic. Pharyngitis is often accompanied bycough, fever, and sometimes leads to large tonsils thus causing trouble during swallowingand breathing. The majority of Pharyngitis cases are caused by viral infections whilebacterial infections, fungal infections, and other pollutants also trigger sore throat.Following are some famous treatment methods that are often sought after to soothe thesoar throat.

1. Antibiotics

Antibiotics are usually prescribed when the diagnosis of sore throat confirms that it wascaused by streptococcus. If administered, antibiotics not only triggers the body’s immunesystem to produce antigens and fight against the bacteria but also decreases the durationof symptoms while making the patient less contagious within hours of treatment.
Furthermore, antibiotics work effectively to prevent the patient from contracting unusualcomplications of sore throat. However, to gain these results, it is imperative to take fullcourse of antibiotics even though the patient is feeling better after a few days. It is sobecause premature discontinuation can result in the recurrence of the same disease withseverer consequences. Erythromycin, azithromycin and clarithromycin are commonlyrecommended antibiotics for soar throat.

2. Steroids

For severe soar throat which causes pain during breathing and swallowing, steroidsuch as dexamethasone is the best remedy which is fraught with anti-inflammatorycharacteristics. It soothes pain by reducing the inflammation and offers safe, efficient andinexpensive treatment for both bacterial and viral pharyngitis. Dexamethasone is equallyeffective if given in the form of shot or a pill.

3. Analgesics

Analgesics, such as aspirin, paracetamol, naproxen, ibuprofen, and other non-steroidanti-inflammatory drugs, inhibit cyclooxygenases, a specific enzyme that causesinflammation. As a result inflammation is decreased and soar throat is relieved. However,to avoid further complications, one must use it according to doctors’ prescription, not onone’s own discretion.
Home Remedies for Sore Throat
1. Gargling with Salt water
Among home remedies, gargling is one of the time-tested and traditional remedies thathelp a patient get rid of soar throat. A glass of warm water which is mixed up with ateaspoon of salt is the best home remedy for soar throat. The patient has to gargle threeto five times a day at proper intervals. Gargling is effective to treat soar throat becauseon one hand salt is believed to reduce the swelling and act as a disinfectant while one theother hand warm water removes the congestion of throat and lets the air come in and outfreely.
2. Extract of Bark of Mango Tree
The bark of mango tree is also a very effective remedy for soar throat. Today many amanufacturer has been producing oil extracted of mango tree barks. A spoon of this oilcan be added in a glass of water for gargling.
3. Milk and Turmeric
Take a glass of warm milk and add a small pinch of turmeric. Drink this milk prior togoing to bed at night. This homemade remedy effectively reduces inflammation andsoothes soar throat within short span of time.