skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

sore throat

10 years ago

I got a raging sore throat over night, the beginning of a stupid summer cold. What can I take to alleviate it? I took a teaspoon of honey, but I know there are other items in my pantry I could use. Is gargling with salt water the only other option, or do you clever people here know of something more effective?

I haven't had a cold for a few years and wasn't expecting one in August!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

gazania_gw
10 years ago
A warm saltwater gargle is what my Mom always had us do. I still use it to ease a sore throat. About 1/2 tsp salt to a cup of warm water.
lindaohnowga
10 years ago
I'm a firm believer in Airborne at the first sign of not feeling good. Put a tablet in 1/2 C water, when it is done fizzing, drink it. We like the orange flavor....tastes like very strong orange juice. Sucking on Zinc lozenges is good too. Garling with the salt water helps the throat and so does Chloraseptic if they still make it.
Related Discussions
Swine flu - seriously underreported
Q
Comments (18)
Hi all, It's really amazing to see how differently this is being treated in various parts of the country! I got back to my HMO (Kaiser) to get more info on this. DD was not swab tested; Kaiser is doing phone diagnosis in order to keep sick folks at home. So I can't say with 100% confidence that yes, dd has H1N1, though the doctor had no doubt. My concern was the public health aspect of it. Shouldn't they close the camp? Tell more people? Well, when I talked to Kaiser today they said that about 25-35% (!) of the children in the San Francisco Bay Area currently have swine flu, and they are just telling them to stay home. They are not testing or doing any camp closures, etc. (School has been out for ten days or so here.) This is because (according to Kaiser) the swine flu is not as dangerous as had been thought a couple of months ago. (I'm still concerned about those with immune problems. Do they know that 1/4 of the kids running around are sick??) Would they be taking this more seriously if 1/4 of adults were out sick? Also, Kaiser's policy is no Tamiflu, primarily because they suspect that if people take it now the virus will become more resistant (esp. when it comes around in the winter, which seems the primary concern.) Well, staying home when you're sick is good policy in any case, but for those parents who are working and don't have alternate child care, what appears to be (initially) a mild illness is not sufficient reason to keep their kids out of camp (esp. when the kids really want to go.) I don't want to cause hysteria or anything, I just feel people should realize that this is not a one-in-million chance thing. This flu may be milder than they thought, but my dd has never been so sick. The fever did last for four days, not dipping below 102 even with acetaminophen, and it is still over 100 and she is listless, tired and coughing constantly. BTW, in the past three days the the CDC has upped the number of cases in my county from ONE to over 1,000 - and there has been one death.
...See More
ever had this happen... sore throat question
Q
Comments (9)
ok, let's put all the posts together...since I think we're really all saying the same thing...LOL You left your window open during the strongest allergy time..thus allowing more pollen and such to enter your room. This will often lead to your nose getting stopped up and you having to substitute mouth breathing during the night, which leads to a sore throat in the morning which will diminsh during the day. If closing the window itself doesn't help, you may want to talk to your doctor about a seasonal nasal spray unless you just want to tough it out until June. Coincidentally, I just had my 3 yr old at the Dr.'s for an a.m. sore throat for the last week or two; he looked in his nose said he didn't have a cold that it was allergies, didn't run any more tests just put him on Nasonex. I thought too it could have been reflux since he had a bad bout as an infant but, doctor said with the timing and season he was pretty sure it was allergies. Although if you have a reflux history, may want to consider that too. Good luck; I don't know where you are from but it seems like almost everyone around here is having problems the past couple weeks. I think it is a really bad allergy/pollen year.
...See More
Sore Throat - Plaquenil for RA
Q
Comments (13)
Sore throat is a "rare" side effect of Plaquenil (see link below). I took it for my RA for awhile and had my vision tested every 3 months by an Optomologist due to possibility of blindness. I also took gold shots which I regret. It caused me more health problems. I haven't taken ANYTHING since 1998. I don't take painkillers, anti-inflammatories, etc. I have enough to deal with with the RA that I don't need more health problems caused by these drugs. In fact, I feel better now than I did in 1998! For the person who said she takes Flaxseed oil. My naturopath did not recommend it cuz it's a "rancid oil", as is spinach is rancid too. You are better to take flaxseed as a "seed", not an oil. Also, pineapple is a natural anti-inflammatory as it contains bromelain. If u have high blood pressure, then it's not recommended. I'm amazed at the commercials that advertise RA drugs and tell you the possible side effects..."some cancers have been reported"... who would take them??? Gold shots caused me to become anemic and have possible blood cancer (myloma) cuz it caused my kidneys to leak protein in my blood. Something my rheumatologist failed to tell me! I have to get blood test every 6 months just to check. Nothing is going to take ALL your pain away. You will always have it. You just have to learn to live with it. I've had it for 16 years now. Pain management is a very important part of daily life and makes a huge difference. I know this guy who has RA and has tried all the meds, procedures, etc. He looks fine on the outside, but his insides are finished because of all the drugs. As for me, my hands are crippled up but my insides are fine! Believe it or not, marijuana is the only thing that takes the pain away. Unfortunately, I get paranoid so I don't smoke it. I've tried morhpine, perks, etc. Didn't help! Smoked a joint once and I was able to run a little bit (didn't realise I was LOL), and I was able to walk barefoot without pain in my feet. Believe me, if I wouldn't get paranoid while high, I'd smoke it! It's legal in Canada for medical purposes. Here is a link that might be useful: Plaquenil
...See More
Joke of the Day: Parental Excuse Letters
Q
Comments (4)
I always enjoy your joke postings. This one is extremely funny, and I suspect it was gleaned from actual notes sent in by parents and not a joke at all. I have also seen some very funny compilations from insurance companies where people describe how an accident happened.
...See More
glenda_al
10 years ago
Started a cold on Wed, and got my airborne out and took it until Friday. Now today I'm on 1000 mg of vit c and will take for couple more days.

Airborne doesn't work once the cold has set in, you have to take it right when you have the symptoms.

Miserable night coughing but I'm not dripping with a runny nose like I did yesterday. Sore tummy!

Feel better soon.
Lily316
Original Author
10 years ago
You too, Glenda. I took some honey and then gargled with salt water, and my throat doesn't feel as raw. I didn't have Airborn in the house, since I rarely get a cold but it would be too late anyway. I take 1000 C every day but maybe I'll pop another one.
glenda_al
10 years ago
Double your C's. Take one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

I now use WalMart's generic airborne.

Always have it in my medicine cabinet.
sheilajoyce_gw
10 years ago
I take 1500 of C 3 times a day and can prevent a cold that is threatening or turn one around in the early stages.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
10 years ago
If you are able to take aspirin, it is a wonderful pain reliever for sore throats. I take half of an adult dose. The salt water gargles are helpful to me, as well.
Georgysmom
10 years ago
If the throat is still sore, you might want to see a doctor and make sure it's not strep. I hope you're feeling better.
donna37
10 years ago
I agree with Vit C, I always take 2-3000mg at least twice a day when a sore throat starts and have sore throats gone overnight.
Usually have a runny nose for a day or so, but not a sore throat. I used to get them quite often and suffer for several days, but haven't had one to last more than a few hours in over 30 years since using Vit. C.
Lindsey_CA
10 years ago
Gargle with a couple of drops of tea tree oil in a cup of warm water. Oil and water don't mix, but stir it around to "distribute" the tea tree oil as best you can, then gargle. It will work wonders.
katlan
10 years ago
I also think gargling with warm salt water repeatedly (every half hour or so) will help. I would also take Advil or Aleve for pain relief and inflamation.

Hope you feel better soon and you caught it soon enough to not turn into a full blown cold.
Cherryfizz
10 years ago
I feel for you. I have been battling some kind of bug for 2 weeks now that started overnight with a horrible painful sore throat and just got progressively worse. Nothing I took would touch the pain in my throat except Advil. 2 weeks later the sore throat has diminished a bit but not completely.

Whatever this bug I got I sure hope you don't get. I was drowning in phlegm, coughing but not deep coughs, just short in the throat cough and then I lost the hearing in my right ear which still has not come back. After a week of thinking it was just a bug that would have to go away on its own I finally went to the Doctor. He put me on antibitotics right away, I have an ear infection as well as a swollen parotid gland on my neck. I have not been this sick in 10 years and after 2 weeks I am still coughing and battling this thing. I don't think the antibiotics are helping at all.

If after a few days your sore throat does not ease go to the Doctor and don't do what I did and wait.

I sucked on Chloraseptic Max lozenges for sore throats and took the Advil which eased the pain.
User
10 years ago
drink pineapple juice or eat some
its suppose to help
Lily316
Original Author
10 years ago
Wow, cherryfizz, you have had a really bad bug. I hope you feel better, and I hope I don't have what you have. I have taken about four 1000 units of Vitamin C. At Target tonight I bought some lemon and honey drops made by Burt's Bees, and they did sooth my throat. Right now it hardly hurts at all. I hate a sore throat.

We were meeting my granddaughter and her boyfriend before they head back to Pittsburgh and they both have colds. They were at the Jersey Shore and she said she got a bad sore throat about a week ago. They were both coughing, so I guess it's going around. Thanks for the advice. I hope everyone who has a cold ,gets over it quickly.

Related Stories

LIFE 8 Sick-Day Activities to Get Healthy at Home

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Staying home is the fastest way to heal — and to enjoy all the comforts and design details you've spent so much time choosing

UPHOLSTERY Seeking a Quiet, Relaxed Spot? Try Upholstering Your Walls

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Upholstery can envelop an entire room, a framed panel or a single wall. See some design options and learn what to expect

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: Three Ways to Set a Classic Holiday Table

No matter what you celebrate, we’ve got your plates, glasses, serveware and table decor

DIY PROJECTS DIY: Freshen Up for the New Year With a Eucalyptus Table Garland

By Nanette Wong

Eucalyptus leaves, white blossoms and air plants combine in a gorgeous, long-lasting arrangement for your table or buffet

MONTHLY HOME CHECKLISTS Your Checklist for Quick Houseguest Prep

By Laura Gaskill

Follow these steps to get your home ready in a hurry for overnight visitors

FARM YOUR YARD Houzz Call: Show Us Your One-of-a-Kind Chicken Coops

By Annie Thornton

Do you have a fun or stylish backyard shelter for your feathered friends? Post your pictures and stories in the Comments!

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Purple Needle Grass, California’s State Grass

By Debbie Ballentine

The long-lived, drought-tolerant Stipa pulchra is as admired for its benefits as for its good looks

FUN HOUZZ There's a Mouse in the House

By Becky Harris

No need for 'eek' and capture schemes. These mouse toys, decals and artistic renderings have all the trappings of cute

MOST POPULAR 7 Ways Cats Help You Decorate

By Molly Brandenburg

Furry felines add to our decor in so many ways. These just scratch the surface

LIFE Show Us Your Thanksgiving Fails

By Mary Jo Bowling

On some holidays you are just thankful when it’s over

Sponsored

More Discussions

Oh no! Another one!

734

Weekend Music Part 2 - Space

15

Does your iPhone do things on it’s own?

22

Do you still have fingerprints

15

Smile today - 5/5/24

11