Treatment for sore throat caused by a cold

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on April 05, 2025
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To treat a sore throat from a cold, the main principle is to choose sensitive antibiotics or antiviral medications, in combination with medications that clear the lungs and benefit the throat for symptomatic treatment. One should first observe whether there are hypertrophic lymphoid follicles on the posterior pharyngeal wall, whether the tonsils are hypertrophied and enlarged, and whether there are diseases such as herpetic pharyngotonsillitis. If it is due to an acute exacerbation of chronic pharyngitis, one can choose to take macrolide antibiotics, combined with medications such as throat pills and pharyngitis tablets. Nebulization inhalation can also be adopted, which acts like a local treatment and can have a more direct effect.

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