During this season, experiencing a sore throat is quite common. However, experts are cautioning against two remedies that might not be effective and could end up being a waste of time and money.
Consumer advocates at Which? have pointed out that certain products claiming to provide relief may not always be necessary. Professor Nirmal Kumar, a consultant in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgery and former president of ENT UK, emphasized that simple home remedies can be just as beneficial.
According to Professor Kumar, elaborate remedies are not required when basic home treatments can help alleviate symptoms effectively. While medicated lozenges are widely available, experts suggest that a combination of a regular hard sweet and a painkiller can be equally effective.
Another popular remedy, antiseptic sprays, may not offer significant benefits on their own, as per the NHS. In such cases, Which? recommends the following alternatives:
If your sore throat does not improve naturally, seek advice from your GP. Most sore throats tend to resolve within a week, especially if they are caused by a viral infection. In such instances, the focus should be on using appropriate remedies to manage the discomfort until the body fights off the infection.
For bacterial infections or persistent/worsening symptoms, consulting a GP for targeted medication may be necessary, as advised by Which? The NHS recommends seeing a GP if:
Preventing a sore throat entirely may not be possible, but reducing the risk of spreading it can be achieved by practicing good hygiene habits. This includes thorough handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
In situations where soap and water are unavailable, using hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content is recommended by Which?. Additionally, covering your mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and promptly disposing of the tissue can help minimize the spread of infection.
For quick access to valued news content, consider selecting Daily Mirror as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News.
REWRITE_BLOCKED: The provided content contains personal data or information that cannot be disclosed for privacy reasons.