Pharyngitis, or a sore throat, occurs when the back of the throat becomes inflamed, causing pain, discomfort and scratchiness aggravated by swallowing. Pharyngitis is very common, particularly among children, and often is caused by infection accompanied by cold and flu. With a few tips, you can effectively treat pharyngitis.
Instructions
1. Visit your local doctor and get a strep test which will help to determine whether pharyngitis is caused by a bacterial infection. If your sore throat is indeed caused by infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Viral infections, on the other hand, can be successfully treated with bed rest and home remedies.
2. Crush an acetaminophen tablet into a fine powder and add to a glass of warm water, stirring until the powder is completely dissolved. Gargle with the water for 30 seconds and then spit, rinsing your mouth thoroughly. This remedy can be used multiple times throughout the day to treat the pain and inflammation caused by pharyngitis. While aspirin works as well, never give aspirin to children.
3. Drink marshmallow root tea as often as once every hour to help soothe the pain and scratchy throat caused by pharyngitis. To make herbal tea, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp. of fresh herbs, cover and allow to steep for 15 or 20 minutes.
4. Chew a piece of licorice root, another herb which helps to treat the symptoms of pharyngitis. Licorice root is available in most health food stores and has a pleasant, sweet flavor. Chew the root, swallow the sweet saliva and then discard the root.
5. Get plenty of bed rest and drink lots of fluids as you recover from pharyngitis. Avoid speaking loudly or shouting, as your vocal chords are more sensitive.
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