Acute sore throat
ACUTE SORE THROAT
ELIGIBILITY:1 Adults and children aged 5 years and over
EXCLUDE: Pregnant individuals under 16 years
SORE THROAT is very common and can affect people of all ages. In most cases, acute sore throat is a viral, self-limiting infection that clears up within a week.2,3 However, those suffering from a bacterial infection may need antibiotics, which can be supplied to eligible customers via the Pharmacy First service.
Yasmeen, a 20-year-old female approaches the counter. She has not been able to get an appointment with her GP and asks you for “something strong” to help with a “severe” sore throat that she has been suffering with for the past week. Yasmeen confirms that she is not pregnant, and she doesn’t have any cold and flu symptoms.
You consider referring her to the Pharmacy First service where the pharmacist may assess her and consider her FeverPAIN score. However, before you advise her about it, you ask about her signs, symptoms and red flags to check her eligibility.
Yasmeen describes these signs and symptoms of sore throat:2
A painful throat, especially when she swallows
A dry scratchy throat
Bad breath
Mild cough
Swollen neck glands (tonsils)
Fever
Redness in the back of her mouth
Yasmeen does not appear to have any red flag symptoms:2
Difficulty breathing
Unable to swallow – drooling can be a sign of this
Making a high-pitched sound while breathing (stridor)
Severe symptoms that are quickly worsening
Click the button to find out whether this customer is eligible for referral.
REFERRAL OUTCOME
Referred to the Pharmacy First service
Yasmeen may be eligible for the Pharmacy First service. You could say:
"The Government recently launched the Pharmacy First service which includes a consultation with the pharmacist. They will be able to examine and assess your sore throat to determine the best treatment option for you."
The pharmacist carries out the consultation and supplies her with some antibiotics. She is really grateful for your help as she didn’t know the service was available and feels that she’s finally got the help she needed. She mentions that the pharmacist noticed some purulence (pus) at the back of her throat during the examination and asks if you can offer any advice for symptom management alongside her antibiotic treatment.
SELF-CARE ADVICE
To help soothe a sore throat and potentially speed up her recovery, Yasmeen should:2
Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water
Eat cool or soft foods
Avoid smoking or smoky places
Suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets
Rest
Gargle with warm, salty water
OTC PRODUCTS
For symptom relief Yasmeen could use:2
Paracetamol or ibuprofen
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Medicated lozenges containing:
A local anesthetic to help numb the sore area
An antiseptic to help kill microbes
An anti-inflammatory to reduce inflammation and pain (ibuprofen should not be used in combination with this)
Anaesthetic throat sprays may be helpful for some
To ensure suitability, you should always speak with the pharmacist if the customer is taking any medication (including those provided in the Pharmacy First service) or if they have any other medical conditions.
Complete the care
After offering Yasmeen different options, she buys some medicated lozenges and tells you she will follow the self-care tips. You encourage her to come back to let you know how she is doing or if she has any other questions.
KEY LEARNING POINT
Some customers may not be aware of the Pharmacy First service and what it entails. Raising awareness of the service can help ensure convenient and effective treatment for those eligible whilst reducing delays and the overall burden on the NHS.