Sore Throat care

Sore throats are very common and usually nothing to worry about. They normally get better by themselves within a week.

Antibiotics

You do not normally need antibiotics for a sore throat because they will not usually relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.

You’ll only be given antibiotics if you could have a bacterial infection.

You can use the FeverPain score to help determine if antibiotics are necessary. But remember even if you score 5 out of 5 you may still NOT need antibiotics.

Antimicrobial resistance could become the biggest killer for people in the world. The best way of protecting yourself and loved ones is to not be prescribed antibiotics unless absolutely necessary and to use it for the shortest time possible.

Help us by NOT asking for antibiotics. Watch this video which explains why most people do not need antibiotics. See below for more information about how to treat sore throats or visit your pharmacist who is an expert on dealing with this common, often self-limiting condition.

Dr Hannan explains why you may not need antibiotics for a sore throat, ear infection, sinusitis and bronchitis

How to treat a sore throat yourself

To help soothe a sore throat and shorten how long it lasts, you can:

  • gargle with warm, salty water (children should not try this)
  • drink plenty of water
  • eat cool or soft foods
  • avoid smoking or smoky places
  • suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets – but do not give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking
  • rest
Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water (warm water helps salt dissolve).
Gargle with the solution, then spit it out (do not swallow it).

A pharmacist can help with sore throats

You can ask a pharmacist about ways of relieving the pain and discomfort of a sore throat, such as:

  • paracetamol or ibuprofen
  • medicated lozenges containing a local anaesthetic, antiseptic, or anti-inflammatory medicine
  • anaesthetic spray (although there’s little proof they help when used on their own)

You can buy these treatments from a supermarket or pharmacy without a prescription.

A pharmacist can also provide other treatments if you need them, without you seeing a GP.

Some medicines are not safe for everyone (for example, if you’re pregnant). Always check the leaflet or speak to a pharmacist before taking them.