Self-care advice
Self-care advice
Acute sore throats are usually self-limiting and symptoms can last for about a week. Most people will get better within this time without antibiotics. You are able to provide self-care advice for customers to manage their sore throat symptoms at home, rather than seeing a GP.
NICE guidelines
recommend the following:1
Consider paracetamol for pain or fever, or ibuprofen if preferred and suitable
Advise about the adequate intake of fluids
Some adults may wish to try medicated lozenges containing either a local anaesthetic, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or an antiseptic.
You can also
advise customers to:1,2
- Avoid hot drinks as they can exacerbate pain
- Eat cool or soft foods
- Adults can gargle with warm, salty water
- Avoid smoking or smoky areas
- Try to rest
- Suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets (do not give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking).