| Symptoms |
Typical Duration |
- Raw feeling at the back of the throat;
- Discomfort on swallowing;
- Redness or swelling of the throat;
- Earache;
- Enlarged or tender lymph glands.
|
Lasts 3-7 days. |
| Self-Help Advice |
- Drink plenty of fluids;
- Gargle with salt water or soluable asprin, but do not swallow the gargle;
|
| Over-the-Counter Medication |
|
If in doubt, discuss over-the-counter medication with your pharmacist.
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be taken to ease the pain;
- Sucking pastilles, lozenges or boiled sweets produces saliva which lubricates the throat and helps to wash away any infection;
- Antiseptic pastilles can help for certain types of sore throat;
- Anaesthetic sprays or lozenges can help, especially if you have difficulty swallowing, but these should not be used by children or the elderly or for more than 5 days.
|
| When to Contact the Surgery |
- If the symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks.
- If you suffer any additional symptoms such as breathlessness, drowsiness or lethargy, or have a persistent high temperature.
|
