Try these home treatments to ease symptoms:
- Gargle with a mixture of a quarter-teaspoon of salt and 8 ounces of warm water.
- Take ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to bring down a fever and ease pain. Don't give aspirin to children or teens. It can cause a rare but dangerous condition called Reye’s syndrome.
- Suck on a throat lozenge or piece of hard candy. Don't give small pieces of candy to children younger than 4.
- Drink warm liquids such as tea and broth. Or suck on something cold such as an ice pop.
- Pass on orange juice and other drinks that have a lot of acid. They'll sting.
- Get lots of rest.