These are the worst for me...I'd rather have a headache or stomachache than a sore throat!

Anti-Inflammatories One of the most effective   treatments for sore throat is probably already in your medicine cabinet: an   over-the-counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as Advil   or Aleve. These medicines are combination pain relievers and anti-inflammatories,   so they'll make you feel better and they'll also reduce some of the swelling   associated with a sore throat.

Saltwater Gargle Several studies have found that   gargling several times a day with warm salt water can reduce swelling in the   throat and loosen mucus, helping to flush out irritants or bacteria. Doctors   generally recommend dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in one cup of water.   If the salty taste is too unpleasant for you, try adding a small amount of honey   to sweeten the mixture slightly. (Just remember to spit the water out after   gargling, rather than swallowing!)

Lozenges and Sprays Sucking on cough drops stimulates   saliva production, which can help keep your throat moist. But many varieties   are no more effective than hard candies. For an added benefit, choose brands   with a cooling or numbing ingredient, like menthol or eucalyptus. Over-the-counter   sprays like Chloraseptic produce an effect similar to cooling lozenges. They   won't cure your sore throat or help you fight off the underlying cold, but they   may help dull the pain temporarily. Chloraseptic's active ingredient, phenol,   is a local antiseptic that also has antibacterial properties,

Cough Syrup Even if you don't have a cough (yet),   over-the-counter cough syrups can help ease soreness. Like drops and sprays,   they coat the throat and provide temporary pain relief. If you're headed to   work, be sure to choose a non-drowsy formula. But if you're having trouble sleeping   due to a sore throat, a nighttime formula like NyQuil (which contains a pain   reliever and an antihistamine) or Robitussin AC (guaifenesin and codeine) can   relieve pain and help you get some shuteye.

Fluids Staying hydrated is very important, especially   when you're sick and your throat is irritated or inflamed. You should be drinking   enough fluid so that your urine is light yellow or clear. This keeps your mucous   membranes moist and better able to combat bacteria and irritants like allergens,   and makes your body better able to fight back against other cold symptoms. What   you drink is up to you. Water always works (ice cubes, too!), but you can also   change it up with something slightly sugary, like a watered-down fruit juice,   or something salty, like chicken broth.