Acute Sore Throat - Pharmacy First
When you have a sore throat it can be uncomfortable to eat, drink and talk. That's why it's important to get the best medicine and advice to feel back to normal. During our sore throat service our expert Pharmacists will ask you a series of questions and examine your throat to determine the possible cause of your pain.
Sharoe Green Pharmacy
272 Sharoe Green Lane, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9HD
Sore throats are very common and usually nothing to worry about. They normally get better by themselves within a week.
How to treat a sore throat yourself
To help soothe a sore throat and shorten how long it lasts, you can:
gargle with warm, salty water (children should not try this)
drink plenty of water
eat cool or soft foods
avoid smoking or smoky places
suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets – but do not give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking
rest
Treatments that may help a sore throat
You can ask a pharmacist about ways of relieving the pain and discomfort of a sore throat, such as:
medicated lozenges containing a local anaesthetic, antiseptic, or anti-inflammatory medicine
anaesthetic spray (although there's little proof they help when used on their own)
You can buy these treatments from a supermarket or pharmacy without a prescription.
Some medicines are not safe for everyone (for example, if you're pregnant). Always check the leaflet or speak to a pharmacist before taking them.
Antibiotics
You do not normally need antibiotics for a sore throat because they will not usually relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.
You'll only be given antibiotics by a pharmacist
See a pharmacist if:
you need help for a sore throat
your child is aged 5 years or over and needs help for a sore throat
A pharmacist can give the same antibiotic treatment as a GP for a sore throat, if you need it. They can also give advice or direct you to other medical help.