How do you alleviate the sore throat conditions of an 88 year old?

As the old Jewish joke goes, “It couldn’t hurt!” But I think hot tea with honey might be more soothing than ginger. I also find that sucking on hard candies or something like Hall’s cherry cough drops helps a lot.

Yes. Hot tea with lemon would help.

A nice, soothing cough drop might help, like Ricola (the honey herb variety is delicious), or Sucrets, if they’re still around. Then there’s throat sprays such as Chloraseptic, which do help.

But sore throats can go along with other conditions, including covid symptoms. Do you have any covid at-home tests?

Sore throats from strep or mono that are very painful should be soothed with popcicles and cold drinks. Inflamed tissue and sores are not helped with hot or warm liquids they are aggravated by them. Sore throats caused by those illnesses usually are very painful, and even swallowing your own saliva can be very painful.

Sore throats from colds might feel better with some tea or soup (not too hot) but mostly those things are to hydrate, and are most helpful when the sore throat goes away and the congestion sets in. That is the typical cold pattern, sore throat for 24–48 hours, then a lull, then the congestion starts, no fever or very mild elevation of temperature in adults.

I agree with @Jeruba that a sore throat is a common symptom of covid, and I would rule it out. Additionally, I agree Chloraseptic spray is good for temporary relief of a core throat. It is over the counter. I would use that, and if it doesn’t get better in 72 hours I would get a strep test.

Covid test. Didn’t think of that possibility. THANKS jellies!

@mazingerz88 I hope I have as good a friend as you are when I’m 88!

^^Thanks. I try.

@Jeruba @JLeslie Any chance getting a flu shot three days ago might have triggered this?

I haven’t made it to 88…yet. Hot Tea with Honey & Lemon is what my Granny always used. I keep Chloraseptic in my medicine cabinet for those times that I hurt miserably. I didn’t find the HT with H&L to help me very much. Then again, I’m not that big on hot tea!!! I usually start out with a good hot cup of Hot Chocolate when I first start getting scratchy. Won’t cure anything, but does make the throat feel a bit better for a little bit!!!

@mazingerz88, I’m not the one to ask. I don’t claim to have any particular medical knowledge, just general awareness and personal experience. I’d say ask her doctor and/or the administering entity. There’s also lots of information online.

I had no reaction to this year’s flu shot and my third covid booster, but from what I’ve read, symptoms can be all over the place.

Are they a mouth breather ? Dry mouth!

Do they have a sinus condition, that would cause post sinus drip and breathing through their mouth ?

I’m going to say no. I don’t see any reason a flu shot would trigger a sore throat. Especially not if the sore throat started three days later. Especially not if she isn’t having other flu shot side effects.

It’s more likely she caught a cold or covid when she went out to get her flu shot. Did she wear a mask? Has she been with people the last 72 hours unmasked?

I’m assuming this is a new thing, she doesn’t regularly have a sore throat, and the sore throat persists all day even if she drinks something.

Does she have a fever?

This probably won’t be helpful but my 88 year old father gets himself a glass of what he calls vitamin B when he has a sore throat. B stands for bourbon.

^^Funny, I did mention whiskey, bourbon and scotch to this 88 year old.

@JLeslie He happens to be a gentleman and so far no fever. Thanks.

shaved ice

Thanks for the correction. Is he feeling better today?

Add a couple of teaspoons of honey.