Sore Throat Test and Treat Service
If your sore throat is severe or you have a persistent sore throat that hasn't started to improve after a week, visit your local Pharmacy for the sore throat test and treat service.
This service is available to help determine whether a sore throat is being caused by a viral or bacterial infection so you can get expert advice and treatment quickly without having to visit your GP.
You will have a consultation with a pharmacist, who will use a set of structured questions and possibly a swab test to determine the cause of your sore throat. If your sore throat is determined to be a viral infection which antibiotics will not treat, the Pharmacist can advise on steps to take to recover. The Pharmacist can also provide antibiotics if the test reveals a bacterial infection.
Find your local pharmacy offering this service
General advice for managing sore throats
Looking after yourself at home
- Take ibuprofen or paracetamol – paracetamol is better for children and for people who can't take ibuprofen (note that children under 16 should never take aspirin)
- Drink plenty of cool or warm fluids, and avoid very hot drinks
- Eat cool, soft foods
- Avoid smoking and smoky places
- Gargle with a homemade mouthwash of warm, salty water
- Try sucking lozenges, hard sweets, ice cubes or ice lollies – but don't give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking
Contact your GP if:
- You experience severe sore throats frequently
- You have a weak immune system – for example, you have HIV, are having chemotherapy, or are taking medication that suppresses your immune system
Visit ED if:
- Your sore throat is very severe or getting worse quickly
- You have difficulty breathing
- You're making a high-pitched sound as you breathe (called stridor)
- You have severe difficulty swallowing
- You start drooling