Sore throat: what helps, and when to talk to a doctor

What usually causes a sore throat

The NHS says sore throats are usually caused by viruses, like a cold or flu, or by smoking, and only very occasionally by bacteria. Laryngitis and tonsillitis can also cause one. You may notice pain when swallowing, a dry or scratchy throat, redness at the back of the mouth, bad breath, a mild cough or swollen glands in your neck.

With tonsillitis, the tonsils at the sides of your throat are red and swollen, and there may be white patches or pus-filled spots on them. It is usually caused by a virus, but can be bacterial, such as strep throat. Symptoms usually go after 3 to 4 days.

Soothing it at home

• Gargle with warm salty water: half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, then spit it out. Children should not try this.
• Drink plenty of water, and eat cool or soft foods.
• Suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets, but do not give young children anything small and hard because of the risk of choking.
• Avoid smoking and smoky places, and rest.

A pharmacist can suggest paracetamol or ibuprofen, or lozenges containing a local anaesthetic, antiseptic or anti-inflammatory medicine. Some medicines are not safe for everyone, for example in pregnancy, so check the leaflet or ask.

When a video consultation suits a sore throat

See a doctor if your sore throat has not improved after a week, if you often get sore throats, or if your child is under 5. A video call works well here because a doctor can often tell a lot from your history and from looking at your throat with a torch on camera. The NHS notes that a GP can usually tell if it is tonsillitis by asking about symptoms and looking in the throat.

Have a torch or phone light ready, and expect to be asked when it started, whether you have a temperature, whether you can eat and drink, whether you have a cough or a runny nose, and how often this happens.

When you need to be seen in person

Sometimes a doctor will want a throat swab to check for bacteria, and the DHA telehealth standard lists a throat swab or culture as a recommended test for respiratory infections treated by teleprescribing. A blood test for glandular fever may be needed if symptoms are severe or will not go away.

Get urgent advice the same day if you have a very high temperature or feel hot, cold or shivery, show signs of dehydration such as peeing less or dark, strong-smelling pee, have pus-filled spots on your tonsils, or the pain makes it hard to eat or drink. A lump in your mouth or neck, or a mouth ulcer that lasts more than 3 weeks, should be checked in person.

Signs that need 998

Call 998 or go to an emergency department if you or your child have difficulty breathing, cannot swallow, are drooling, make a high-pitched sound when breathing (stridor), or have severe symptoms that are getting worse quickly. Swelling inside the mouth and throat, difficulty speaking or difficulty opening your mouth can be signs of an abscess near the tonsils, called quinsy, and also need emergency care.

Which doctor to see

A general practitioner or family medicine doctor can help adults, and a paediatrician can see younger children. On medicAI, each doctor works for a clinic or hospital licensed by DHA in Dubai or DoH in Abu Dhabi, which is responsible for the advice and any treatment. You can compare doctors and fees before you book.