Does salt water help relieve the pain of a sore throat?

My throat suddenly started hurting since yesterday.

The area from where my throat begins to the roof of my mouth is swollen and painful.

There's something that hurts when you swallow.

My throat feels dry and scratchy

The small hole leading to my nose also feels painful.

I think it's tonsillitis because of the location of the pain.

In the old days, adults would tell you to gargle with salt water in times like this.

It's Saturday afternoon now and I don't think I'll be able to go to the hospital tomorrow either.

Would gargling with salt water help?

I'm going to try an emergency prescription before buying medicine from the pharmacy.