Hi, Thanks for writing in to us. Drinks such as soda would irritate a throat that may be mildly infected with a virus or bacteria, making a sore throat more painful. Probably you had a mild bacterial or viral attack in your throat and taking soda aggravated the situation. A water salt water gargle is one of the oldest – and possibly the best - cure for a sore throat. Simply heat a glass of water, add some salt to it, gargle, and spit. You should do this first thing in the morning and last thing before you go to bed. If you can squeeze in a couple of gargles through the course of the day, so much the better. In most cases, a sore throat is a minor problem, and home remedies, along with a little rest for both your throat and your body, will help you recover quite quickly. However, if you get recurrent sore throats or if a sore throat lasts for more than a week, you should get yourself checked by a doctor. A visit to the doctor is also advisable if the sore throat is accompanied by more serious symptoms, such as fever and body aches. Hope this helps