Sore Throat · Pharmacy First

Most sore throats are caused by viruses and clear up on their own within a week. But some are bacterial and benefit from antibiotics. Under the NHS Pharmacy First scheme, we can assess your symptoms and decide which is which.

Who is eligible?

The NHS Pharmacy First sore throat service is available to:

• Adults and children aged 5 years and over.
• People who are not pregnant (see note below if you are).
• People who do not have signs of more serious infection requiring urgent care.

What we will do

The consultation takes about 15 minutes in our private room. We will:

• Take your temperature and check for swollen lymph nodes.
• Look at the back of your throat for pus or white spots on the tonsils.
• Use the FeverPAIN clinical score to estimate the likelihood of bacterial infection.
• Either reassure you and recommend self-care, or prescribe a course of antibiotics on the spot.

Self-care advice

If your sore throat is viral (most are), the best things you can do are:

• Drink plenty of fluids and rest.
• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve the pain.
• Use medicated lozenges or sprays containing local anaesthetic.
• Gargle with warm salty water (not for young children).

When to seek urgent care instead

Please go to A&E or call 999 — not the pharmacy — if you have:

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
• Drooling (in a child).
• A muffled voice or stridor (high-pitched noise on breathing in).
• A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass.

If you are pregnant

We can still see you and give you advice, but the prescribing element of Pharmacy First is more cautious during pregnancy. We will likely refer you to your GP or midwife for a prescription if antibiotics are needed.