When do I need antibiotics for a sore throat?
Dealing with a painful sore throat can be tough, but knowing how to treat it can help to ease your discomfort. In this article, we discuss where you can access antibiotic treatments for sore throats, when they’re necessary and how you can treat a sore throat when antibiotics aren’t an option.
Keep reading to learn more.
When does a sore throat need antibiotics?
Sore throats might all feel similarly painful, but that doesn’t mean they’re all the same. They can be caused by a range of conditions, from different types of infections to environmental irritants like pollen or smoke.[1]
It’s also the case that there are a variety of different treatment options available for sore throats. Some, like Chloralieve’s Dual Action Sore Throat Lozenges, can be used to soothe many kinds of sore throat. These lozenges contain two types of antiseptic, which help to fight off any infections, as well as an anaesthetic compound designed to temporarily numb the pain.
Other treatments, including antibiotics, aren’t suited to all kinds of sore throats,[1] meaning they might not be effective in getting rid of the condition any quicker. In the case of antibiotics, they might even expose you or others to health vulnerabilities further down the line through something called antibiotic resistance.[1,2]
Antibiotic resistance is a phenomenon where, due to overreliance upon antibiotics in previous years in the medical industry, certain ‘superbugs’ have emerged that are resistant to treatment. Essentially, these are types of bacteria which have learned how to evade and defy antibiotic treatments, which makes it a lot harder for doctors to help patients infected with these pathogens.[2]
As a result, the medical community now no longer routinely gives out antibiotics for mild conditions such as sore throats.[2] Antibiotics won’t help to clear a sore throat caused by a viral infection, so in many cases they’re not needed.[3] And even if your sore throat has a bacterial cause, you’ll only be prescribed antibiotics if it’s very severe and the prescribing pharmacist or doctor thinks they’ll help you to overcome the infection quicker.[4]
Fortunately, the decision of whether or not you need antibiotics isn’t one you need to make yourself. If you have a sore throat bad enough that you think you need treatment, you can visit your local pharmacy for a consultation.[4]
If your pharmacist thinks antibiotics are the answer, then they’ll be able to prescribe you some there and then under the Pharmacy First scheme. If not, they’ll direct you to over-the-counter treatments and self care techniques that will help to manage your symptoms while your body fights off the infection. In the rare case that further examination is needed, your pharmacist may refer you to the relevant healthcare provider.[4]
Either way, your local pharmacy can help you to find the right treatment for your sore throat, so all you need to worry about is following their advice.
How to treat a sore throat without antibiotics
As mentioned, in the majority of cases it’s not necessary to take antibiotics to see off a sore throat. Self care techniques and over-the-counter treatments are typically all that is needed to relieve your discomfort, allowing your immune system to combat any pathogens involved.[1]
Sore throats are rarely serious, and these simple remedies are usually enough to take care of them.[1]
To complement over the counter treatments, you can also try some at home remedies for a sore throat. These include:
- Drinking plenty of water
- Avoiding foods that are hard or very hot
- Staying away from smoky places and not smoking yourself
- Eating cold foods like ice cream or ice lollies to soothe the pain
- Getting plenty of rest.[1]
If you’ve got a painful sore throat, you might wish you could throw every treatment possible at it to make it go away as soon as possible. Remember, if you’re ever unsure, your local pharmacy can help.[4]
Resources:
[1] – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sore-throat/
[2] – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antibiotics/antibiotic-antimicrobial-resistance/
[3] – https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/sore-throat/
[4] – https://clinicalpathways.uk/pharmacy/acute-sore-throat/
