What is 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.
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 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.
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)
How a private GP can help
A consultation typically covers:
- 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)
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 the full pricing breakdown for what's included with each appointment type.