Sore Throat
This NHS service is available to children and adults aged 5 years and over.
A sore throat is characterised by pain or irritation in the throat that can occur with or without swallowing.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a sore throat include a painful throat, especially when swallowing, a dry, scratchy throat, redness in the back of your mouth, bad breath, a mild cough and swollen neck glands.
Common Causes
Sore throats are usually caused by viruses (like cold or flu) or from smoking. Very occasionally they can be caused by bacteria.
Common Treatments
Treatments include paracetamol or ibuprofen, medicated lozenges containing a local anaesthetic, antiseptic, or anti-inflammatory medicine, and anaesthetic spray.
Very occasionally, antibiotics may be required. Other things that can help include gargling with warm, salty water, drinking plenty of water. Avoiding smoking or smoky places, sucking ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets.
Book an appointment with Cohens Chemist for advice on sore throat
Your Cohens pharmacist can advise you about ways of relieving the pain and discomfort of a sore throat, and recommend appropriate medications as outlined above. If antibiotics are indicated after a consultation with our pharmacist, we can provide these without you having to visit your GP (subject to exclusion criteria).