How to Relieve a Sore Throat While Pregnant
When I developed an intense sore throat while pregnant with my fourth child, I figured I was in for the usual cold symptoms. But because I was due to give birth any minute, I immediately started panicking. I was also in pain, but too nervous to take anything. Turns out, I had options for relief—I just didn’t know about them.
“Pregnant women have sore throats just like everyone else,” says Dr. Omid Mehdizadeh, MD, an otolaryngologist and laryngologist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California. In most cases, a sore throat during pregnancy won’t affect baby and can be treated with home remedies. (It’s just a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider before taking any medication.) That said, it’s important to know when to flag the symptom for your doctor—because it could be a symptom of something like strep throat.
Here’s what experts say you need to know about having a sore throat during pregnancy.
- Sore throats are common in pregnancy. Hormonal changes, viruses, allergies and reflux can all be culprits.
- There are lifestyle and medication treatment options for a sore throat during pregnancy, from warm salt-water gargles to pregnancy-safe medications like acetaminophen.
- In rare cases, a sore throat while pregnant can impact baby—particularly if it’s strep throat left untreated, so it’s worth knowing when to call your doctor.
A lot of things can cause a sore throat during pregnancy. “The causes are similar to those in non-pregnant patients,” explains Dr. Phillip Purnell, MD, PhD, division chief of laryngology and professional voice at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. “The most common cause is a viral infection like the common cold or flu. Bacterial infection, such as strep throat, is also possible.”
While any sore throat that lingers should be checked out by a doctor, this chart can give you clues on what could be causing your discomfort.
- Causes: These vary, but are often caused by breathing in droplets from an infected person or by touching a surface that contains viral particles and then touching your nose, mouth or eyes.
- Symptoms: Cough, runny nose, hoarseness and pink eye.
- Safe medications: Acetaminophen, sprays and lozenges.
Allergies can be seasonal or happen year-round. Sometimes pregnancy can make existing allergies worse.
- Causes: Exposure to allergens like pollen and mold.
- Symptoms: Runny nose and nasal stuffiness, watery and itchy eyes, sneezing, cough, an itchy nose or throat, postnasal drip, bruised-appearing skin under the eyes and extreme fatigue.
- Safe medications: Antihistamines such as Benadryl, Claritin or Zyrtec.
Acid reflux during pregnancy is very common.
- Causes: Hormonal changes and your growing uterus putting pressure on your stomach.
- Symptoms: Heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, nausea, problems swallowing, chronic cough and hoarseness.
- Safe medications: Pepcid, Tums.
While some other causes of a sore throat can be treated with home remedies and over-the-counter medications, strep throat requires medical intervention.
- Cause: The bacteria group A streptococcus.
- Symptoms: Fever, pain when swallowing, a sore throat that starts quickly and may look red, red and swollen tonsils, white patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils, tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth and swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck.
- Safe medications: Penicillin, amoxicillin.
Pregnancy rhinitis is a blocked or stuffy nose during pregnancy that isn’t caused by allergies or a cold.
- Causes: An increase in vascular blood flow during pregnancy.
- Symptoms: Runny nose, sneezing, nasal swelling.
- Safe medications: Saline rinses and corticosteroid sprays (Flonase, Nasacort).
Postnasal drip happens when mucus drains down the back of your throat. “That can cause irritation and soreness,” says Patricia A. Evans, NP, CNM, lead certified nurse-midwife at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.
- Causes: Viral infections, sinus infection, acid reflux, environmental irritants.
- Symptoms: Constant throat-clearing, cough, hoarseness.
- Safe medications: Depends on the cause, but Pepcid and Tums may help.
A sore throat during pregnancy can be the worst—but, thankfully, there are plenty of treatments available. In general, Dr. Christine Greves, MD, an ob-gyn at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando, Florida, recommends treating your sore throat with home remedies before using medication. Below, the most common ones experts recommend.
- Stay hydrated. “It’s important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, including warm, non-caffeinated beverages and soups,” Dr. Purnell says. This helps give your body the fluids and electrolytes it needs to fight off an illness.
- Gargle with warm salt water. This can help ease pain, Dr. Greves says. (Try putting half a teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water to get started.)
- Use sore throat lozenges. Sucking on lozenges can help temporarily ease throat pain.
- Sleep with your head elevated. This can also help if you suspect your sore throat is due to postnasal drip.
- Avoid eating before bed. Dr. Purnell suggests you stop eating two hours before you head to bed if you suspect you’re dealing with reflux.
- Minimize trigger foods. Fatty foods, spicy foods, chocolate and caffeine can exacerbate reflux, Dr. Purnell says. Minimizing or avoiding these foods can help.
I had COVID while pregnant with my second and had a horrible sore throat. I remember gargling salt water and drinking hot tea with honey because I was nervous to take anything. I found that soothing.
Sometimes, a sore throat while pregnant warrants a doctor’s visit. Here’s when to contact your provider:
- Pain that lasts for more than five to seven days
- A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or above
- Trouble swallowing
- Difficulty eating or drinking
- Swollen lymph nodes
- White patches on your tonsils
- Dehydration
- Any symptoms that keep you from doing your daily activities
“If it feels like one of the worst sore throats of your life, come in and get checked for strep,” Dr. Greves adds. Your doctor can prescribe you specific pregnancy-safe antibiotics to help clear things up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a sore throat affect or hurt baby?
It's not common for a sore throat to affect or hurt baby, says Dr. Jennifer Leighdon Wu, MD, an ob-gyn at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "They're not usually that serious," she says. However, if you have strep throat and it goes untreated, it can become a serious infection, Dr. Wu adds. If you suspect that you have strep throat, contact your doctor—you'll need pregnancy-safe antibiotics to help you get better.
Could my sore throat be caused by environmental or chemical irritants?
"Your throat may be irritated by your environment if symptoms begin after exposure to things such as smoke, cleaning products, perfume, paint fumes, dust, pollution or very dry air," nurse-midwife Evans says. She adds that if your symptoms get better when you leave the area, get fresh air, drink fluids or use a humidifier, you should have a healthy suspicion that environmental or chemical irritants are behind your discomfort.
What over-the-counter sore throat remedies are safe during pregnancy?
Dr. Purnell recommends checking in with your provider before taking any medication during pregnancy. However, experts say the following medications are generally safe to use for a sore throat during pregnancy:
- Acetaminophen. Acetaminophen medications, such as Tylenol, can help relieve pain and reduce your fever if you have a virus, Dr. Greves says.
- Famotidine. Famotidine, contained in medicines like Pepcid, is used to treat acid reflux and is considered safe during pregnancy, Dr. Mehdizadeh says.
- Calcium carbonate. If you suspect you have acid reflux, taking a calcium carbonate tablet like Tums could help soothe the cause of your sore throat, Dr. Greves says.
- Antihistamines. Antihistamines (such as Benadryl) are generally considered safe during pregnancy, says Dr. Mehdizadeh.
- Sprays and lozenges. Sprays or lozenges that contain benzocaine, a local anesthetic, can help numb the throat, according to UT Southwestern Medical Center. Menthol and phenol, such as Chloraseptic, are antiseptics that also help soothe throat discomfort.
What sore throat medications should I avoid while pregnant?
Evans recommends being cautious with combination cold and flu medications, including NyQuil, while pregnant. "These products can contain several active ingredients, and you may not need all of them," she explains. "You should also avoid taking ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) during pregnancy unless your healthcare provider specifically recommends them." Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are usually avoided beginning around 20 weeks of pregnancy and later because of potential risks.
"For pain or fever, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally considered the preferred over-the-counter option during pregnancy when taken as directed and when appropriate for you," Evans says. "I also recommend checking with your healthcare provider before using herbal throat remedies or supplements. 'Natural' doesn't necessarily mean 'safe' during pregnancy."
How can I tell if my sore throat is from acid reflux or a cold?
If your sore throat is from acid reflux, you'll usually have other symptoms of reflux, like an acidic feeling in your stomach or a dry cough, Dr. Wu says. A sore throat from reflux is usually worse after you eat or when you lie down at night, adds Evans. "With a cold, you'll have other upper respiratory symptoms like a runny nose and cough," Dr. Wu says.
Are natural remedies like honey and salt water safe for a pregnancy sore throat?
Yes, you can use natural remedies like honey and salt-water gargles to treat a sore throat during pregnancy. Evans suggests mixing honey and lemon with warm tea and sipping that for relief, along with gargling with warm salt water.
There are multiple things that can lead to a sore throat in pregnancy, and plenty of ways to ease your pain. While most sore throats during pregnancy are minor and can be eased at home, it’s important to see a doctor for an evaluation if you develop a fever, intense pain or have trouble swallowing.
Many women experience a sore throat during pregnancy, and there are ways to find relief. To provide clear guidance on navigating a sore throat during pregnancy, we consulted with two specialists, two ob-gyns and a midwife.
After editing, this article was vetted through fact-check and reviewed by our ob-gyn medical adviser. Learn more about how we ensure the accuracy of our content through our editorial and medical review process.
About the author: Korin Miller is a mom of four who developed an intense sore throat just before having her youngest child. An experienced health and pregnancy writer and parent, Korin likes to add her personal experience to each article she writes. Her work has appeared in publications such as Women’s Health, Prevention, Cosmopolitan and The Washington Post.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Patricia A. Evans, NP, CNM, is a lead certified nurse-midwife at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.
Dr. Christine Greves, MD, FACOG, is an ob-gyn at the Orlando Health Women’s Institute. She received her medical degree from the University of South Florida College of Medicine.
Dr. Jennifer Leighdon Wu, MD, is an ob-gyn at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. She received her medical degree from the University of South Carolina at Charleston.
Dr. Omid Mehdizadeh, MD, is an otolaryngologist and laryngologist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California. He earned his medical degree from the University of California Davis School of Medicine.
Dr. Phillip Purnell, MD, PhD, is the division chief of laryngology and professional voice at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He earned his medical degree and PhD from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine.
UT Southwestern Medical Center, Which Over-the-Counter Cold Medications Are Safe During Pregnancy?, April 2025
Real-parent perspectives:
- Christine Carpenter, contributing editor at The Bump and mom of two
Learn how we ensure the accuracy of our content through our editorial and medical review process.
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