It is impossible to say exactly which treatment is best for different causes of sore throat.
For patients with mild symptoms, drinking plenty of water and gargling with mouthwash or warm salt water can help relieve a sore throat. For acute upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold and acute pharyngitis, those with mild symptoms can improve their symptoms by drinking plenty of water and using self-care at home such as gargling solutions. For viral infections there are no specific antiviral drugs available and antibiotics are not recommended in the absence of evidence of bacterial infection. Patients with severe or prolonged symptoms need to be seen by a regular hospital, regardless of the suspected cause.