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Pharmacy Care provides information about self-care, that is how to treat minor medical conditions with products available at the pharmacy. Find out how your pharmacist can help you to manage minor conditions yourself.
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A sore throat makes swallowing difficult and painful. Your throat may feel dry and look red, and your voice may sound hoarse. Sore throat is common because it is associated with the common cold.
A sore throat can be caused by bacteria or viruses and will usually clear up on its own after a few days. Antibiotics are not usually needed. However, sore throats may be due to streptococcal bacteria (one cause of tonsillitis). If this type of infection in children and adolescents is not treated it can sometimes lead to rheumatic fever (an inflammatory disease that can affect many organs of the body).
Sore throats can also be caused by stomach acid reflux, by something lodged in your throat or by smoke irritation.
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
if the person with the sore throat is under 12 years old
if you have difficulty breathing or talking
if you have a high fever, i.e. a temperature above 39°C (or 38°C for children)
if you have an earache, swollen glands, a rash or have been vomiting
if you have fatigue or malaise
if your sore throat has lasted for more than a week, or keeps coming back
if you have swallowing problems that have lasted for more than two weeks
if it is difficult to swallow because your throat feels blocked
if there are white spots of pus on your tonsils or the back of your mouth
if there are white patches inside your mouth, especially if you have diabetes or asthma and use a steroid (preventer) inhaler, as this may be a sign of oral thrush
if you are taking prescription medications; in rare cases, a sore throat can be a sign of serious side effects
if you have an artificial heart valve or have had endocarditis or rheumatic fever
Treatment Tips
taking a pain relief medicine regularly will ease the pain
sucking on an ice cube or gargling a glass of warm water with a teaspoon of salt dissolved in it may help
throat lozenges, syrups, sprays and gargles can reduce discomfort. Some of these contain sugar and can lead to tooth decay; however, sugar-free varieties are an alternative
drink plenty of fluids and choose soft foods to make swallowing easier
avoid smoking; it can make a sore throat feel worse
Treatment Options
Oral pain relief medicines (analgesics)
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g. paracetamol, packets of 24 or fewer (Panadol range), aspirin (Aspro range, Disprin range); ibuprofen, packets of 24 or fewer (Advil Tablets, Advil Liquid Caps, Nurofen range, Panafen IB, Tri-Profen)
paracetamol, aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relieve pain and reduce fever. Aspirin and NSAIDs (which include ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen) also reduce inflammation (swelling)
soluble aspirin can be used as a gargle to treat a sore throat
paracetamol and NSAIDs can be used together as they work differently (they are usually given at different times; see your pharmacist for dosing advice)
paracetamol is a safe choice for most people but it is important not to take more than recommended. It is an ingredient in many cold and flu remedies so be careful not to double dose. The maximum daily dose of paracetamol for an adult is 4 g (4000 mg), and no more than 1 g (1000 mg) every four hours. It is important to dose children by their weight and to follow the manufactures instructions on dosage
aspirin and NSAIDs are not suitable for everyone. Children under 12 years old must not take aspirin because it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a serious condition. It should also be avoided by adolescents under 16 years old who have a viral illness
check with your pharmacist before taking aspirin or NSAIDs if you:
have a history of stomach problems, such as ulcers or indigestion
have asthma; some people with asthma find their condition is made worse by these types of medicines
have kidney problems or a heart condition
take other medications
have an allergy to aspirin or NSAIDs
are pregnant or breastfeeding
are elderly; you may be at more risk of side effects
are dehydrated
sometimes aspirin and NSAIDs can cause side effects. It is important to take these products with a glass of water and food to minimise heartburn. If you develop indigestion, or unusual or increased bleeding or bruising, stop taking them and talk to your pharmacist
Local treatments
lozenges, sprays and gargles (local treatments) can help fight bacteria and viruses, reduce inflammation or numb the pain
some treatments are not suitable for children, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
when using products containing a local anaesthetic, take care not to burn your mouth; it is harder to tell how hot food and drinks are
Local treatments (antivirals, antibacterials and antiseptic agent)
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