There's nothing worse than a sore throat, well, except a hacking¹ cough. Most sore throats, also known as pharyngitis, are caused by minor² illnesses like a cold or flu and will go away with time, but there are few things you can try to speed up the process or ease the pain.

没有什么比喉咙痛更难受的事情了，额，除了咳嗽。大多数的喉咙痛，也被称为咽炎，是由感冒或流感等轻微疾病引起的，会随着时间的推移慢慢治愈。但你可以做这些事情加快治愈过程、缓解疼痛。

Whatever the cause is, the first concern of most people is to ease the pain. It's tempting³ to run to a doctor, but give some of these home remedies a go first.

无论引发喉咙痛的原因是什么，大多数人最关心的事情就是如何缓解疼痛。去看医生是个好方法，但首先试试这些家常偏方吧。

What causes a sore throat?

引发喉咙痛的原因？

A sore throat refers to pain, itchiness, or irritation⁴ of the throat. You may have difficulty swallowing food and liquids, and the pain may get worse when you try to swallow. It can be caused by either a viral or bacterial⁵ infection.

喉咙痛指的是喉咙疼痛、发痒或发炎。你可能很难吞咽食物和流体，当你试着吞咽的时候，疼痛感可能会加剧。喉咙痛可能是由病毒或细菌感染引起的。

How to get rid of or ease a sore throat

如何治愈或缓解喉咙痛

Medicines

吃药

1. Take anti-inflammatories

1. 服用消炎剂

Paracetamol is better for children, but adults can take ibuprofen to get any swelling⁶ down. Children under 16 shouldn't take aspirin⁷. Using a nasal spray can help.

儿童更适合服用对乙酰氨基酚，成年人可以服用布洛芬消除肿胀。16岁以下的儿童不宜服用阿司匹林。使用鼻腔喷雾剂或能有所帮助。

2. Lozenges and sprays

2. 锭剂和喷雾剂

These can work, as lozenges encourage saliva⁸ production, helping⁹ keep the throat moist. Choose ones with a cooling ingredient for extra relief. Hard sweets, ice cubes or ice lollies also work.

这些也能起到作用，因为锭剂能促进唾液的分泌、有助于保持喉咙湿润。选择带有清凉成分的锭剂能为你带来额外的舒适感。硬糖、冰块或冰糖也能起到作用。

3. Gargle in saltwater

3. 用盐水漱口

Gargling in salt water several times a day helps reduce swelling in the throat and losens any mucus helping to flush out your bacteria. Dissolve half a teaspoon¹⁰ of salt in one cup of water. If the salt is too much add a small touch of honey. Spit the water out after gargling and do not swallow it. Drinking water is important when ill.

每天用盐水漱口几次有助于缓解喉咙肿胀、减少粘液、帮助带走细菌。一杯水放半茶匙盐，如果盐量太多，还可以加点蜂蜜。漱完口后把水吐出来，千万别咽下去。生病的时候喝水是很重要的。

4. Drink more fluids

4. 多喝液体

Drink plenty of cool or warm fluids, as you need to keep hydrated. Avoid very hot drinks. To test if you are drinking enough, check your urine. If it's clear or pale that means you are drinking enough. Darker urine means you need to drink more. Water works, ice cubes, you can also have watered down fruit juice or a broth¹¹.

多喝冷水或温水，因为你需要保持水分。不要喝特别热的液体。怎么识别是否喝了足够多的水？检查尿液就行。清澈或无色意味着水喝的足够多。颜色较浓意味着你还需要喝更多的水。水和冰块都行，你也可以喝果汁或浓汤。