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Sore throat

Pain swallowing, swollen tonsils. Usually viral, sometimes bacterial.

Speak to a GP about sore throatFrom £79
A doctor consulting about Sore throat

In short

Around 80% of sore throats are viral and clear within a week without antibiotics. A GP can use clinical scoring (FeverPAIN or Centor) to identify the small percentage that are bacterial and need treatment.

Overview

What is a sore throat?

A sore throat is pain or inflammation at the back of the throat, usually caused by a viral infection. Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, most often viral but sometimes bacterial (most commonly Group A Streptococcus). Most sore throats clear within a week without specific treatment.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

  • Pain when swallowing
  • Red, swollen tonsils, sometimes with white spots or pus
  • Tender, swollen lymph nodes in the neck
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Hoarse voice

When to act

When to see a doctor

Book a GP if symptoms are severe, have lasted over a week, or you have difficulty eating and drinking. Recurrent tonsillitis (5+ episodes per year) also warrants a consultation, as you may be eligible for an ENT referral.

When to seek urgent help

Seek urgent help if

  • Difficulty breathing (call 999)
  • Drooling or being unable to swallow saliva (call 999)
  • Stridor (a high-pitched breathing sound)
  • Severe one-sided throat pain with fever (possible quinsy/peritonsillar abscess)
  • Stiff neck with fever and a non-blanching rash (possible meningitis , call 999)

Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies or NHS 111 for urgent non-emergency advice.

Treatment

How a private GP can help

  • FeverPAIN or Centor clinical scoring to estimate likelihood of bacterial cause
  • Throat examination (in-person appointments)
  • Antibiotic prescription if scoring suggests bacterial cause (usually penicillin V or amoxicillin)
  • Symptom relief advice for viral cases
  • Referral to ENT for recurrent tonsillitis
  • Sick note for work or school if needed

What we don't do

  • Hospital-level treatment for severe infections (refer A&E)
  • Tonsillectomy referrals on first presentation (need history of recurrent episodes)

Pricing

What it costs

An online consultation about sore throat starts at £79 for a 20-minute video appointment. In-pharmacy consultations are £129 and home visits are £189. Your consultation includes one private prescription if appropriate, and a sick note for work if needed. You pay the pharmacy separately for any medication.

See full pricing breakdown

FAQ

Common questions about sore throat

How can I tell if it's viral or bacterial?
Clinically it's hard to be certain. GPs use scoring systems (Centor or FeverPAIN) based on fever, pus on tonsils, swollen glands, absence of cough, and similar to guide the decision. Sometimes a throat swab is needed.
Do I need antibiotics for a sore throat?
Usually not. Most sore throats are viral. Antibiotics only help bacterial infections, and over-prescribing creates resistance.
How long should a sore throat last?
Most clear within a week. If symptoms continue beyond that, get reassessed.
When should children see a GP?
If they can't swallow, have a fever over 39°C, are drooling, or symptoms last more than 3 days.
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