For patients experiencing multiple symptoms at once, including as coughs, abundant phlegm, and sore throats, gargling with salt water may help. The salt soothes sore throats and might help clear the throat of any leftover phlegm that may have built up there. A whole teaspoon to one half of a teaspoon of salt should be dissolved in a cup of warm water, according to experts. People should put the solution in their mouths and gargle with it for a short time before spitting it out. It is safe to perform this numerous times per day.

Many medical professionals recommend gargling with salt water as frequently as necessary to relieve symptoms, and some professionals advise doing so four to six times each day. When making salt water for gargling, any salt, including iodized salt or coarse sea salt, is safe to use. While gargling is usually done with warm water to add to the calming effect, cold water can also be used if the patient wants. In general, experts advise waiting until a child is at least six years old before allowing them to gargle with salt water.