It is quite common to get a sore throat. Often you don’t need to see your doctor or pharmacist because the sore throat will get better on its own. However, sometimes a sore throat can lead to other medical conditions which need treatment.
A sore throat is a pain caused by inflammation. A sore throat is often caused by a virus and will occur when you have a cough or a cold. Sometimes though a bacterial infection causes a sore throat.
The symptoms of a sore throat are:
You also might have:
Laryngitis is caused by the inflammation of your larynx or voice box is inflamed. It is a virus infection that can suddenly appear. It takes around two weeks to heal. Symptoms of laryngitis can also include a dry cough, mild fever, and a hoarse throat. A hoarse throat will give you a croaky voice or make it difficult to talk.
Your pharmacist can see you to diagnose laryngitis through the Pharmacy First Service. There’s no prescription medicine for mild laryngitis. You’ll probably have to take over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. Your doctor or chemist may prescribe antibiotics if you have a severe infection that’s not getting better as quickly as it should.
Your tonsils are the oval-shaped pads at the back of your throat. You have one tonsil on each side. Signs of tonsillitis are swollen tonsils and slightly raised and tender lymph nodes on the side of your neck. You may also have difficulty swallowing.
Most tonsillitis infections are caused by a virus and will improve after 48 hours The symptoms should disappear within 3 to 4 days. Sometimes a bacterial infection causes tonsilitis and in this case, you might also have a fever and feel weak. If you do have these symptoms, you should call 111.
Your Pharmacist can help you to treat tonsilitis. You can phone up and make an appointment for the Pharmacy First Service. Or you buy an over-the-counter medicine such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. Gargling with warm salty water will also help to reduce the inflammation.
Strep throat is a bacterial infection. Adults get strep throat, but it is more common in children.
The signs of a strep throat infection are having flu-like symptoms with a sore throat. You can be treated for strep throat with antibiotics. You can either make an appointment with your doctor or see your pharmacist who can treat you or your child under the Pharmacy First Service.
Young adults and teenagers often get glandular fever. The symptoms can last for weeks and during that time you can feel quite unwell.
The symptoms of glandular fever are a sore throat, swollen glands, a headache, a rash and tiredness.
The pharmacy can give you painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol. You should also drink plenty of liquids and get as much rest as you can.
Most sore throats caused by a virus infection won’t react to antibiotics, so they won’t be prescribed. Instead, over-the-counter medication like paracetamol or ibuprofen will help. You can also buy an antiseptic spray or throat lozenges to help ease the inflammation.
Adults can gargle with warm, salty water which might help to relieve the inflammation. Drink plenty of water, eat soft foods and get enough rest. If you smoke, try to stop, or cut down as smoking will irritate the throat. You can also suck ice cubes or ice lollies.
If you can’t swallow or you have a high temperature and you feel hot and shivery then you should get medical help immediately. See your doctor or pharmacist if your throat isn’t better after a week.
You can now go to the pharmacist instead of the doctor under the new Pharmacy First Service. You’ll need to make an appointment, but it is often faster than trying to get an appointment with your doctor.
All you need to do to get an appointment at VSM Pharmacy is to give us a call on 01276 21002.          Or you can pop into the pharmacy and speak to a member of staff who will give you a date and time for a consultation.
Sore throats are common, but they are easily treatable by using a remedy from your local pharmacy.
Impetigo is a contagious bacterial skin infection. It can be treated with antisptic or antibiotic cream.
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