Sore Throat
What it is
A sore throat causes pain, scratchiness or a burning feeling in the throat. Swallowing or speaking may be difficult for a few days.
What you can do at home
What to do
- For adults and children who can gargle: gargle with warm salt water for about 1 minute. Mix together:
- 240 mL (1 cup or 8 oz.) of safe drinking water or boiled water that has been left to cool
- 2.5 mL (½ tsp.) of salt
- For children aged 4 years and older: let an ice cube or a lozenge (cough drop) dissolve slowly in the mouth.
- To relieve pain, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). When in doubt, ask a pharmacist for advice.
Important: Ibuprofen is contraindicated for children under 6 months of age.
What to eat
- Drink warm or cold fluids, whichever feels more soothing.
- Eat soft foods that are easy to swallow, such as soup, puréed foods, eggs, cottage cheese, or yogurt.
- Try cold foods, such as ice pops (popsicles) or frozen yogurt.
Avoid
- Smoking.
- Places where there is smoke or dust.
- Citrus juices, such as orange, lemon, or grapefruit juice, which may irritate the throat.
- Alcohol.
When to seek medical attention
Fever, sore throat and difficulty swallowing after contact with someone who has a strep throat infection:
Pain lasting more than 3 days with no improvement
Fever that does not go down despite medication
Skin that changes colour or becomes very rough, like sandpaper
For people aged 75 years and older:
difficulty carrying out one or more activities of daily living, such as preparing meals or bathing
Need help?
Make an appointment through Clic Santé for a screening.
Call Info-Santé at 811, Option 1, to speak with a nurse at any time.
Go to the pharmacy for advice on medications or treatment.
Make an appointment at your medical clinic or CLSC.
If you do not have a family doctor, go to gap.soinsvirtuels or call 811, Option 3.
When to go to the hospital right away
Inability to swallow saliva or water
Rapid changes in general condition, including:
- unusual fatigue (drowsiness) or difficulty staying awake
- reduced responsiveness to surroundings
- confusion, agitation or unusual behaviour
- hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real)
- reduced appetite and thirst
- in children: unusual crying, or crying that cannot be soothed
Severe difficulty breathing, especially if:
- breathing becomes increasingly difficult, even at rest
- the lips or fingers turn blue or bluish (cyanosis)
- there is a high-pitched sound when breathing (stridor)
- the chest or abdomen pulls inward with each breath (retractions)
- the heartbeat or breathing is faster than usual
- in children: the nostrils flare with each breath
Signs of dehydration that persist despite drinking plenty of fluids, including:
- very dry mouth
- little or no urine (pee)
- crying without tears
- pale or cold skin, or skin that is slow to return to normal when gently pinched
- vomiting everything that is taken by mouth