Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesWith FeverHome TreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
With Fever
Home Treatment
Prevention
Asore throatdescribes a scratchy or uncomfortable sensation aggravated when swallowing or talking. Arunny noseoccurs when mucus drips from the nostrils. Sore throat and runny nose often occur together, such as with a cold, COVID-19 infection, or allergies.
This article will review common health conditions associated with a sore throat and runny nose. It will also discuss the treatment and possible prevention of these conditions.
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What Causes Sore Throat and Runny Nose?
Viral infectionsare typical culprits behind a person’s sore throat and runny nose. The offending virus invades a person’s throat tissue and the tissue lining the nose.
In response to the infection, cells within the nose and throat release small proteins calledcytokinesthat help the body fight infection. These cytokines are responsible for tissue inflammation and mucus production, which helps trap the virus.
A runny nose results from mucus trapping germs or other harmful particles and draining out of the nose, ridding the body of the infection or irritant. A sore throat develops from the inflamed throat tissue and mucus dripping down the back of the throat (postnasal drip).
Two viral infections that cause a sore throat and runny nose are:
Do COVID-19 Symptoms Feel Like a Cold?Infection with COVID-19 may resemble that of a cold, although research suggests that sore throat and runny nose are significantly more likely to be seen with a cold than with COVID-19.Still, considertesting for COVID-19if you have a sore throat and/or runny nose.
Do COVID-19 Symptoms Feel Like a Cold?
Infection with COVID-19 may resemble that of a cold, although research suggests that sore throat and runny nose are significantly more likely to be seen with a cold than with COVID-19.Still, considertesting for COVID-19if you have a sore throat and/or runny nose.
Do I Have a Cold or COVID?
Allergies, also known as hay fever or allergicrhinitis, describe an overactive immune system response to a foreign substance. It’s a common noninfectious cause of sore throat and runny nose.
Common environmentalallergens(proteins within your surroundings that are supposed to be harmless) include pollen, dust, pet dander, and mold.
Exposure to allergens causes nose and sinus inflammation and mucus production. The clear mucus drips out of the nose and drains down the back of the throat, causing irritation and a tender orticklysensation.
Besides a sore throat and runny nose, other possibleallergy symptomsinclude:
Sore Throat, Runny Nose, and Fever
Additional causes of sore throat and runny nose that are also almost always associated with fever are:
Can You Get a Fever With a Cold?Yes, a fever may occur with a cold, although it’s uncommon in adults. Fever with a cold is more likely to occur in babies and preschool children.
Can You Get a Fever With a Cold?
Yes, a fever may occur with a cold, although it’s uncommon in adults. Fever with a cold is more likely to occur in babies and preschool children.
See a healthcare provider if you think you may have the flu, bacterial sinus infection, or strep throat.
A healthcare provider may prescribe an antiviral drug if you are diagnosed with the flu. Such antiviral medications include:
Being prescribed these medications will depend on factors like illness severity and whether you have any underlying health problems.
Influenza Treatments: How to Get Better at Home or With Medication
A person with bacterial sinusitis or strep throat requires an antibiotic. Amoxil (amoxicillin) is typically used to treat either infection unless you have a penicillin allergy, in which case an alternative antibiotic will be prescribed.
Antibiotics for Sinus Infection
Home Treatment for Sore Throat and Runny Nose
Various home therapies can treat sore throat and runny nose, depending on the root cause.
Sore Throat From Infection
Home treatments to ease a sore throat from infection include:
What About Children?Speak with a pediatrician if your child is experiencing a sore throat and runny nose. The above treatments may not be appropriate for them. For example:The NSAID aspirin is not recommended for children under 18 because it can lead to a serious disease calledReye’s syndrome.Parents should avoid giving honey to babies 12 months old and younger to preventbotulism.Children under age 6 should not be given throat lozenges due to choking risk.
What About Children?
Speak with a pediatrician if your child is experiencing a sore throat and runny nose. The above treatments may not be appropriate for them. For example:The NSAID aspirin is not recommended for children under 18 because it can lead to a serious disease calledReye’s syndrome.Parents should avoid giving honey to babies 12 months old and younger to preventbotulism.Children under age 6 should not be given throat lozenges due to choking risk.
Speak with a pediatrician if your child is experiencing a sore throat and runny nose. The above treatments may not be appropriate for them. For example:
How a Sore Throat Is Treated
Runny Nose From Infection
Home treatments to ease a runny nose from infection include:
Nasal or Sinus Rinse Recipe and Uses
Sore Throat and Runny Nose From Allergies
If you are experiencing an allergy-related sore throat and runny nose, one or more of the following treatments may be recommended:
Talk to a Healthcare ProfessionalAlways speak with a healthcare provider before taking an OTC medication. They may interact with other medicines or, in some cases, cause harm.
Talk to a Healthcare Professional
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking an OTC medication. They may interact with other medicines or, in some cases, cause harm.
How to Prevent Sore Throat and Runny Nose
The following strategies can help prevent infection spread:
The following lifestyle behaviors can also enhance immunity and improve overall health and well-being:
If you suspect your sore throat and runny nose are from allergies, anallergist(a medical doctor specializing in allergic diseases) can pinpoint what allergens you are reacting to and, from there, help devise a plan for minimizing or avoiding exposure to them.
Summary
Sore throat and runny nose are common symptoms that, when seen together, often indicate allergies or an infection like a cold.
Most viral causes of sore throat can be treated with an OTC painkiller and numbing throat lozenge. Likewise, a runny nose may be soothed with an OTC nasal spray or saltwater rinses. Allergy treatment often entails a combination of allergen avoidance and medication.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pappas DE.The common cold.Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 2018:199–202.e1. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-40181-4.00026-8Luo X, Lv M, Zhang X, et al.COVID-19 evidence and recommendations working group. Clinical manifestations of COVID-19: an overview of 102 systematic reviews with evidence mapping.J Evid Based Med. 2022;15(3):201-215. doi:10.1111/jebm.12483Czubak J, Stolarczyk K, Orzeł A, Frączek M, Zatoński T.Comparison of the clinical differences between COVID-19, SARS, influenza, and the common cold: A systematic literature review.Adv Clin Exp Med. 2021;30(1):109-114. doi:10.17219/acem/129573Amin KAM.Allergic respiratory inflammation and remodeling.Turk Thorac J. 2015;16(3):133-140. doi:10.5152/ttd.2015.4942Lee WJ.Common cold and flu.Vitamin C in Human Health and Disease. 2019:89–100. doi:10.1007/978-94-024-1713-5_5Patel ZM, Hwang PH.Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis.Infections of the Ears, Nose, Throat, and Sinuses. 2018:133–143. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-74835-1_11Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Group A streptococcal (GAS) disease.Świerczyńska M, Mirowska-Guzel DM, Pindelska E.Antiviral Drugs in Influenza.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 4;19(5):3018. doi:10.3390/ijerph19053018ESCMID Sore Throat Guideline Group; Pelucchi C, Grigoryan L, et al.Guideline for the management of acute sore throat.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2012;18 Suppl 1:1-28. doi:10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03766.xKrüger K, Töpfner N, Berner R, Windfuhr J, Oltrogge JH; Guideline group.Clinical practice guideline: sore throat.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2021;118(11):188-94. doi:10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0121Maisonneuve H, Sebo P, Sommer J, Gerner P, Winkler NE, Haller DM.Emploi des remèdes de grand-mère en ORL : la recherche éclaire nos pratiques et celles de nos patients [Use of non-pharmacological home remedies in ENT: research informs our practices and those of our patients].Rev Med Suisse. 2022;18(781):925-929. French. doi:10.53738/REVMED.2022.18.781.925Familydoctor.org.OTC relief for congestion.King D, Mitchell B, Williams CP, Spurling GK.Saline nasal irrigation for acute upper respiratory tract infections.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(4):CD006821. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006821.pub3Little P, Stuart B, Mullee M, et al.Effectiveness of steam inhalation and nasal irrigation for chronic or recurrent sinus symptoms in primary care: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.CMAJ. 2016;188(13):940-949. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.160362Small P, Keith PK, Kim H.Allergic rhinitis.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):51. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0280-7U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing and treating common cold.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pappas DE.The common cold.Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 2018:199–202.e1. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-40181-4.00026-8Luo X, Lv M, Zhang X, et al.COVID-19 evidence and recommendations working group. Clinical manifestations of COVID-19: an overview of 102 systematic reviews with evidence mapping.J Evid Based Med. 2022;15(3):201-215. doi:10.1111/jebm.12483Czubak J, Stolarczyk K, Orzeł A, Frączek M, Zatoński T.Comparison of the clinical differences between COVID-19, SARS, influenza, and the common cold: A systematic literature review.Adv Clin Exp Med. 2021;30(1):109-114. doi:10.17219/acem/129573Amin KAM.Allergic respiratory inflammation and remodeling.Turk Thorac J. 2015;16(3):133-140. doi:10.5152/ttd.2015.4942Lee WJ.Common cold and flu.Vitamin C in Human Health and Disease. 2019:89–100. doi:10.1007/978-94-024-1713-5_5Patel ZM, Hwang PH.Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis.Infections of the Ears, Nose, Throat, and Sinuses. 2018:133–143. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-74835-1_11Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Group A streptococcal (GAS) disease.Świerczyńska M, Mirowska-Guzel DM, Pindelska E.Antiviral Drugs in Influenza.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 4;19(5):3018. doi:10.3390/ijerph19053018ESCMID Sore Throat Guideline Group; Pelucchi C, Grigoryan L, et al.Guideline for the management of acute sore throat.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2012;18 Suppl 1:1-28. doi:10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03766.xKrüger K, Töpfner N, Berner R, Windfuhr J, Oltrogge JH; Guideline group.Clinical practice guideline: sore throat.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2021;118(11):188-94. doi:10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0121Maisonneuve H, Sebo P, Sommer J, Gerner P, Winkler NE, Haller DM.Emploi des remèdes de grand-mère en ORL : la recherche éclaire nos pratiques et celles de nos patients [Use of non-pharmacological home remedies in ENT: research informs our practices and those of our patients].Rev Med Suisse. 2022;18(781):925-929. French. doi:10.53738/REVMED.2022.18.781.925Familydoctor.org.OTC relief for congestion.King D, Mitchell B, Williams CP, Spurling GK.Saline nasal irrigation for acute upper respiratory tract infections.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(4):CD006821. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006821.pub3Little P, Stuart B, Mullee M, et al.Effectiveness of steam inhalation and nasal irrigation for chronic or recurrent sinus symptoms in primary care: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.CMAJ. 2016;188(13):940-949. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.160362Small P, Keith PK, Kim H.Allergic rhinitis.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):51. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0280-7U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing and treating common cold.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pappas DE.The common cold.Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 2018:199–202.e1. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-40181-4.00026-8Luo X, Lv M, Zhang X, et al.COVID-19 evidence and recommendations working group. Clinical manifestations of COVID-19: an overview of 102 systematic reviews with evidence mapping.J Evid Based Med. 2022;15(3):201-215. doi:10.1111/jebm.12483Czubak J, Stolarczyk K, Orzeł A, Frączek M, Zatoński T.Comparison of the clinical differences between COVID-19, SARS, influenza, and the common cold: A systematic literature review.Adv Clin Exp Med. 2021;30(1):109-114. doi:10.17219/acem/129573Amin KAM.Allergic respiratory inflammation and remodeling.Turk Thorac J. 2015;16(3):133-140. doi:10.5152/ttd.2015.4942Lee WJ.Common cold and flu.Vitamin C in Human Health and Disease. 2019:89–100. doi:10.1007/978-94-024-1713-5_5Patel ZM, Hwang PH.Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis.Infections of the Ears, Nose, Throat, and Sinuses. 2018:133–143. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-74835-1_11Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Group A streptococcal (GAS) disease.Świerczyńska M, Mirowska-Guzel DM, Pindelska E.Antiviral Drugs in Influenza.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 4;19(5):3018. doi:10.3390/ijerph19053018ESCMID Sore Throat Guideline Group; Pelucchi C, Grigoryan L, et al.Guideline for the management of acute sore throat.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2012;18 Suppl 1:1-28. doi:10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03766.xKrüger K, Töpfner N, Berner R, Windfuhr J, Oltrogge JH; Guideline group.Clinical practice guideline: sore throat.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2021;118(11):188-94. doi:10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0121Maisonneuve H, Sebo P, Sommer J, Gerner P, Winkler NE, Haller DM.Emploi des remèdes de grand-mère en ORL : la recherche éclaire nos pratiques et celles de nos patients [Use of non-pharmacological home remedies in ENT: research informs our practices and those of our patients].Rev Med Suisse. 2022;18(781):925-929. French. doi:10.53738/REVMED.2022.18.781.925Familydoctor.org.OTC relief for congestion.King D, Mitchell B, Williams CP, Spurling GK.Saline nasal irrigation for acute upper respiratory tract infections.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(4):CD006821. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006821.pub3Little P, Stuart B, Mullee M, et al.Effectiveness of steam inhalation and nasal irrigation for chronic or recurrent sinus symptoms in primary care: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.CMAJ. 2016;188(13):940-949. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.160362Small P, Keith PK, Kim H.Allergic rhinitis.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):51. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0280-7U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing and treating common cold.
Pappas DE.The common cold.Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 2018:199–202.e1. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-40181-4.00026-8
Luo X, Lv M, Zhang X, et al.COVID-19 evidence and recommendations working group. Clinical manifestations of COVID-19: an overview of 102 systematic reviews with evidence mapping.J Evid Based Med. 2022;15(3):201-215. doi:10.1111/jebm.12483
Czubak J, Stolarczyk K, Orzeł A, Frączek M, Zatoński T.Comparison of the clinical differences between COVID-19, SARS, influenza, and the common cold: A systematic literature review.Adv Clin Exp Med. 2021;30(1):109-114. doi:10.17219/acem/129573
Amin KAM.Allergic respiratory inflammation and remodeling.Turk Thorac J. 2015;16(3):133-140. doi:10.5152/ttd.2015.4942
Lee WJ.Common cold and flu.Vitamin C in Human Health and Disease. 2019:89–100. doi:10.1007/978-94-024-1713-5_5
Patel ZM, Hwang PH.Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis.Infections of the Ears, Nose, Throat, and Sinuses. 2018:133–143. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-74835-1_11
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Group A streptococcal (GAS) disease.
Świerczyńska M, Mirowska-Guzel DM, Pindelska E.Antiviral Drugs in Influenza.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 4;19(5):3018. doi:10.3390/ijerph19053018
ESCMID Sore Throat Guideline Group; Pelucchi C, Grigoryan L, et al.Guideline for the management of acute sore throat.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2012;18 Suppl 1:1-28. doi:10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03766.x
Krüger K, Töpfner N, Berner R, Windfuhr J, Oltrogge JH; Guideline group.Clinical practice guideline: sore throat.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2021;118(11):188-94. doi:10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0121
Maisonneuve H, Sebo P, Sommer J, Gerner P, Winkler NE, Haller DM.Emploi des remèdes de grand-mère en ORL : la recherche éclaire nos pratiques et celles de nos patients [Use of non-pharmacological home remedies in ENT: research informs our practices and those of our patients].Rev Med Suisse. 2022;18(781):925-929. French. doi:10.53738/REVMED.2022.18.781.925
Familydoctor.org.OTC relief for congestion.
King D, Mitchell B, Williams CP, Spurling GK.Saline nasal irrigation for acute upper respiratory tract infections.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(4):CD006821. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006821.pub3
Little P, Stuart B, Mullee M, et al.Effectiveness of steam inhalation and nasal irrigation for chronic or recurrent sinus symptoms in primary care: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.CMAJ. 2016;188(13):940-949. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.160362
Small P, Keith PK, Kim H.Allergic rhinitis.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):51. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0280-7
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing and treating common cold.
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