A sore throat is a frequent annoyance at any age; in the emergency department, this ailment is included in the first reasons for consulting a doctor, significantly when symptoms worsen and fever, difficulty swallowing, and general malaise appears. Whatever the cause, viral or bacterial, it is essential to use the proper treatment.
The patient can self-medicate when symptoms first appear with the first medicine they get at home, but will it be effective? At FastlyHeal, we will explain what you can take for a sore throat, if Ibuprofen or Paracetamol is effective, and, in addition, what other natural medicines can be used.
Table of Contents
Causes of a sore throat
The sore throat is occasionally also known as acute pharyngotonsillitis, a frequent reason to visit the medical consultation area.
According to an article published in the Spanish Otorhinolaryngology Act of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Primary Care [1], the common cause of sore throat is viral. Within the bacterial causes, the responsible agent is beta-hemolytic streptococcus Group A for both children and adults.
Its transmission or appearance occurs through the respiratory tract by droplets of saliva when talking, sneezing, or coughing from an infected person to a healthy susceptible person. It also has a family history of smoking, environmental pollution, and sanitary conditions in the home.
Other causes of a sore throat can be:
- Allergies
- Common cold.
- Gastroesophageal reflux.
- Laryngitis.
Sore throat: symptoms
The clinical manifestations of sore throat will depend on the person and the severity of the condition; however, most of the time, it occurs with:
- Inflammation in the area of the tonsils.
- Irritation or red throat.
- Difficulty swallowing or speaking.
- Fever, temperature greater than 37.5 ° C.
- Pus points.
- Canker sores.
- Headache.
- Abdominal pain and vomiting (frequent manifestations in children).
Diagnosis of sore throat
Without a doubt, a sore throat is a suggestive symptom (that only the patient feels), but with its characteristic clinical manifestations, the doctor can easily make the diagnosis.
Despite this, other valuable tests can be requested. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) [2] recommends throat culture as another of the studies that allow determining the presence or absence of beta-hemolytic streptococcus of the group A. It also makes it possible to make the differential diagnosis of a sore throat of viral or bacterial origin, completely useful when deciding the proper sore throat medication for each patient.
Sore Throat Medication: Paracetamol or Ibuprofen?
At first, it is normal for the patient to believe that they must take antibiotics from the first moment, but this is not entirely true; only the doctor is in charge of indicating antibiotic therapy if necessary.
Before the onset of symptoms, you can decide to take an analgesic for pain, which is the most common discomfort, but which is the best option, Ibuprofen or Paracetamol?
Paracetamol is a valuable medicine for sore throat since it is an analgesic and antipyretic at the same time, i.e., it reduces pain and fever, both common initial symptoms of sore throat. It is a safe drug about the low risk that its administration has of having side effects.
On the other hand, Ibuprofen is part of the group of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs; this allows that when taking it, throat inflammation is reduced and, in turn, improves discomfort and pain. Another advantage of Ibuprofen is that it is antipyretic, reducing body temperature values that can increase in the event of a sore throat.
The use of one medicine or another, Ibuprofen or Paracetamol, will depend on the cause of the sore throat. Despite this, the most effective recommendation is the administration of Ibuprofen since it reduces the inflammatory process of the throat and, in turn, improves the symptoms of pain, being effective also by lowering the temperature in case of fever.
Home remedies to remove a sore throat fast
In addition to the commonly used sore throat medications, other remedies can alleviate painful throat symptoms that are highly effective and helpful:
- Tea with honey and lemon: natural anti-inflammatory, used to relieve sore throat, also shortening the duration of symptoms.
- Garlic infusion: a few cloves of garlic boiled and the liquid consumed as an infusion relieves a sore throat; it can be combined with honey to improve the flavor and enhance its effect.
- Thyme: thyme leaves boiled with vinegar and lemon soothe throat discomfort. This is employed through gargling.
Discover other effective natural treatments in the article Home remedies for a sore throat.
The discomfort of a sore throat is persistent and does not discriminate in age or sex. The use of drugs should always be done under medical supervision since the specialist will specify the appropriate medication depending on each case.
Using the drugs Paracetamol and Ibuprofen are simple due to their few adverse effects after administration, indisputably improving the symptoms that occur with a sore throat.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any kind of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to What to take for a sore throat: Paracetamol or Ibuprofen? We recommend that you enter our Ear, nose, and throat categories.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.