If the sore throat is really excruciating and lasts for more than three days using the excellent home remedies suggested above, get your throat swabbed by Doc. I had a killer strep throat last month and waited for almost 5 days before seeing the Doc.
I c. warm water and 1 teaspoon salt water is a good gargle. It will not sting, and it will soothe a run-of-the -mill sore throat, but it will not bring down swelling in lymph nodes either. Sore nodes are another sign of strep. In my case, I had sinus problems, eye and ear and head aches and general misery, too.
(Things are good but they work well.)