A sore throat is a known disease. The bacterial or viral infection causes pharyngitis which in medical terminology known as a sore throat. It results in inflammation, irritation, and scratchiness of the throat. This can be very much annoying and painful too. It is associated with a common cold which goes away after two to three days with intake of fluids and proper rest. The causes of a sore throat are transmittable and infectious.
It can be treated at home, and they do no need any medical attention but if it is there for more than a week, seek medical advice. If you experience fever, difficulty in breathing and swallowing, rash, joint pain, bloody mucus and a lump in the throat, then you must see a doctor as early as possible. Other symptoms of this disease are dry throat, sore and swollen glands of neck and jaw, pain in the throat, muffled voice, nausea, runny nose, red tonsils and pus on tonsils.
It is said that prevention is way better than cure. Some simple steps can help you avoid a sore throat. Some of these are-
· Give your voice a break.
· Stay away from dryness.
· Reduce exposure to allergens.
· Do not share utensils with other people.
· Wash hands frequently to kill bacteria and germs.
· Use hand sanitizers if soap and water are not available.
It is very simple to get rid of this painful condition in a natural way. There are many remedies to treat it.
· Lemon Juice
Use lemon to get rid of a sore throat problem. Fresh lemons are effective in providing relief from a sore throat by eliminating mucus. In a cup of warm water add lemon juice and teaspoon of honey. Sip this solution slowly. Another option is to slice a lemon in half and lick it slowly. If you like, you can also sprinkle pepper or salt over it.
- Cayenne pepper
In a cup of warm water add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Sip this liquid slowly to get rid of a sore throat fast. It is a very effective remedy.
- Basil leaves
Basil leaves boasts of antiseptic as well as other medicinal properties and is considered to be one of the common home remedies to treat this condition. It acts as a deterrent. Simply add 4-5 basil leaves in boiling water. Let it boil for few minutes. Now, when the liquid becomes lukewarm, sip it and then gargle.
- Salt Water
It is easy to get rid of a sore throat with salt water. Salt acts like an antiseptic and helps to draw water out of the mucous membranes present in the throat. This reduces irritation and inflammation. Just get a half teaspoon of salt and mix it to warm water. Then, gargle with this solution. Do not swallow the water. For best results repeat this four times in a day. This remedy provides immediate relief from scratchiness in the throat.
Natural home remedies are better than medication because these can be taken anytime and have no side effects. Medication and pills are generally taken twice or thrice a day.