Sore Throat

[smurfchops]

OH has had a sore throat for almost a week, with some coughing, mainly in the evening and at night. Usually after three days these throats develop into a cold, bit still has the sore throat, no cold, and not on his chest. Is there a virus going round? Or could be some sort of infection? He doesnt like bothering the doctor, typical man.

[Sqad]

If he hasn't a temperature,not sweating, no earache and no difficulty in swallowing.......then no big deal. Give him Ibuprofen 400mgms every 4 -6 hours and he should be fine. Yes, it does sound like a virus infection.

[Prudie]

Nearly everyone I know at work, me included, has had some combination of cough, sore throat and or runny nose over the last month. Lots of viruses going round I expect and that's probably what a GP will say. The mild winter hasn't helped at all.

[bhg481]

One of our doctors, long-since retired, recommended gargling with soluble aspirin for sore throats. It works for us.

[Samuraisan]

Or gargle with apple cider vinegar . It has to be the natural one ( from H&B ) with the " mother" ( sediment ) in. Works for me.

[sunny-dave]

I had similar advice, bhg.

Dissolve a couple of soluble co-codamol in a glass of warm water & gargle every four hours - especially at bedtime.

Swallowing the gargle doesn't hurt & may help, but do not take any other tablets containing paracetamol or codeine.

Don't do this for more than a couple of days at max though.

[smurfchops]

Bhg. He says this is really soothing, many thanks. Sunny Dave, why use for only a couple of days, any idea? Thanks all

[sunny-dave]

Because the codeine in co-codamol is potentially habit forming (it's a member of the opioid drug family - albeit a relatively safe one at routine dosages).

It can also cause constipation if used for too long ...

[Sqad]

Nothing to do with the gargling it is the aspirin that is swallowed that gives the relief.

Unless of course you spit out the gargling liquid.

[smurfchops]

Thanks all