Got a sore throat? Take paracetamol but NOT ibuprofen: Drug dampens the body's natural immune defence, leading doctor advises

• Dr Mike Smith is a former GP and co-chair of the Patients Association
• Says paracetamol should be used for a sore throat but not ibuprofen
• Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory so dampens the body's immune defense
• Inflammation such as a red throat is the body's way of fighting a virus
• Paracetamol kills pain without affecting the body's immune system 
• Research has shown that ibuprofen may prolong symptoms of colds 

When you have a sore throat, it’s natural to reach for all the painkillers you can get your hands on.

But taking ibuprofen could actually impede recovery, a leading doctor warns. Ibuprofen will dampen the body’s natural response to a virus causing a sore throat, Dr Mike Smith, a former GP and co-chair of the Patients Association, argues.

He advises taking paracetamol and a local anaesthetic spray instead. Read more: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4329180868192790291#editor/target=post;postID=3415208019451079099