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Eyes, ear, nose and throat

Sore throat

Also called sore throat, throat pain, gale me dard, gala kharab, throat infection

What it meansSafe at homeDo not doSee a doctorWarning signs

What this means

A sore throat is usually caused by a viral infection like a cold and settles on its own in a few days. Sometimes it is due to a bacterial infection that needs treatment.

Safe to do at home

  • Gargle with warm salt water a few times a day
  • Drink warm fluids and stay hydrated
  • Rest your voice and get adequate rest
  • Have soothing foods that are easy to swallow

Please do not do this alone

  • Do not take antibiotics on your own, as most sore throats are viral
  • Do not ignore a sore throat with high fever and difficulty swallowing
  • Do not smoke or be around smoke

Book a consultation if

  • Sore throat lasts more than a week
  • There is high fever, swollen glands or white patches in the throat
  • You get frequent throat infections

Get help immediately if

  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing your own saliva
  • Severe swelling of the throat or drooling
  • A muffled voice with a stiff, painful neck

The right doctor for this

General Physician

This is the specialist who sees this symptom most often and can examine you properly. If you are not sure, a general physician is always a safe place to start and will refer you onward if you need it.

Consult a General Physician

Get care for this

Doctors and care for sore throat

Verified Teleprac doctors you can see online or in a clinic, lab tests with home sample collection, and genuine medicines delivered to your door.

Shop Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat CareDelivered home. Please take medicines only as your doctor advises.
See all symptoms

How to use this page. It explains what a symptom usually means, so that you can decide whether to watch it, book a consultation or get help now. It does not diagnose you, it does not know your age, your pregnancy or your other medicines, and it cannot replace being examined. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine on your own.

Consult a doctorGeneral Physician

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Emergency numbers in India

Save these in your phone now, not when you need them. Tap any number to call it.

112Any emergencyOne number for police, fire and ambulance across India108AmbulanceFree emergency ambulance in most states and union territories102Pregnancy and newbornAmbulance for mothers and babies in most states14416Mental health supportTele MANAS, free counselling every hour of the day, many languages1800 116 117Poisoning or overdoseNational Poisons Information Centre, AIIMS New Delhi1098Child in distressChildline India, free and confidential

Where to read more

Public health sources written for patients rather than for doctors, and kept up to date.

Ministry of Health and Family WelfareOfficial Indian health programmes, advisories and public guidanceWorld Health Organization health topicsGlobal fact sheets written for the public, on hundreds of topicsNHS health A to ZPlain language pages on symptoms, conditions, tests and treatmentsMedlinePlusPatient information from the United States National Library of MedicineTele MANASIndia's national mental health support service, free and available all day

Important: Everything in Teleprac patient resources is general health education. It does not give you a diagnosis and it cannot replace examination by a qualified doctor, because it does not know your age, your reports, your pregnancy or the other medicines you take. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine on your own. Teleprac Healthcare is not liable for decisions made on the basis of this information. In an emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest hospital immediately.