Throat infection? This is how you can treat it yourself

A sore throat can be very unpleasant. Some people are particularly prone to it and suffer from it at least once a year. Here’s what you can do if you have a sore throat.

What are the symptoms of a sore throat?

The way a sore throat presents itself can vary from person to person. Sometimes the symptoms are mild, and sometimes they’re very obvious. These are common symptoms:

Pain or a burning sensation in the throat, particularly when swallowing
Difficulty swallowing
White spots
Red and swollen throat
Hoarse voice
Swollen glands in the neck
Feeling unwell or tired
Mild fever
Headache or muscle ache

Sometimes you may also have a cold, which can cause a cough or a runny nose. If you have a high fever or severe difficulty swallowing, contact your GP. In many cases, a sore throat clears up on its own.

How long does a sore throat last?

The duration of the infection varies from person to person and depends mainly on your immune system. In most cases, it lasts around 3–7 days, with symptoms easing if you get plenty of rest. If you do not look after yourself properly and do not eat healthily or get enough rest, recovery may take longer. If it has not cleared up after 7–10 days, contact a doctor.

How can you tell the difference between a sore throat and a throat infection?

A sore throat and a throat infection can be quite confusing. An early-stage throat infection can also be mistaken for a sore throat or a common cold. You can usually recognise a sore throat by simple symptoms such as a scratchy feeling and a hoarse voice. Laryngitis, on the other hand, causes more symptoms, such as white spots, a swollen throat, swollen glands or even a fever.

Is a throat infection contagious?

It can be contagious if it’s caused by a bacterium or virus. If your immune system is weak, you’re more likely to catch it. On the other hand, there’s also a non-contagious form, which is often caused by dry air, smoking or talking a lot. Fortunately, both types can be treated effectively at home.

7 tips for treating a sore throat at home

Wondering what to do about a sore throat? Read on to find out what you can do yourself to make your recovery easier and more comfortable.

1. Get plenty of rest

When you have a sore throat, your body needs time to recover. So take it as easy as possible, get plenty of sleep and avoid strenuous activity as much as you can.

2. Keep your throat moist

Drink plenty of water, stock or tea to keep your throat moist and to help your body recover. Avoid alcohol and coffee for the time being, as these can cause further dehydration.

3. Gargle with salt water

Gargle with salt water a few times a day to soothe your throat and reduce irritation. Dissolve half a teaspoon in warm water and then spit it out.

4. Eat soft foods for a while

To prevent further irritation, it’s best to stick to soft foods for a while, such as yoghurt, soup or puréed food. This also helps if swallowing is painful.

5. Soothe your throat

Help soothe your throat even further with, for example, tea with honey, warm milk or lozenges. This can temporarily ease the pain and aid a smoother recovery.

6. Increase the humidity in your home

Dry air can worsen symptoms and thus hinder recovery. Use a humidifier at home or place bowls of water near all the radiators in your home.

7. Use red light therapy

Use red light therapy to stimulate blood flow and aid the recovery of the mucous membranes in your throat. You can treat yourself at home to promote recovery and relieve pain.

rood licht therapie apparaat kopen

How does red light therapy help with a sore throat?

Red light therapy works by using specific wavelengths of light to stimulate the tissues. This improves blood circulation and stimulates the healing process. In the case of a sore throat, this can help by reducing inflammation more quickly, soothing pain and shortening the recovery time. If you regularly suffer from a sore throat or are prone to inflammation, it can also help as a preventative measure. There are various forms of red light therapy that are effective for this:

Intranasal red light therapy: where you use red light via the nose. This not only improves blood circulation and reduces inflammation, but also strengthens the immune system. As a result, you can prevent inflammation altogether, or the inflammation will be less severe and you’ll recover more quickly. The IN-light Pro is an intranasal red light therapy laser that is ideal for this purpose.
Localised red light therapy: where you use red light with a handheld device to treat specific areas. This helps to improve local blood circulation, reduce inflammation and promote healing in the specific area. The PowerCure Pro is a red light therapy device that is ideal for this purpose.

PowerCure red light therapy for a sore throat

The PowerCure Pro laser is a red light therapy device that you can use to treat a sore throat in a targeted manner. What’s more, it’s not only effective for this condition, but also for a whole host of other complaints and conditions, for both humans and animals! You can use the PowerCure Pro laser yourself, allowing you to carry out treatment at your own pace.

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on Jul 15 2026

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on Jul 10 2026

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