Sore Throats & Antibiotics

Key Information

• The Right Tool for the Job: To treat a problem correctly, we must use the right tool. If you had a burst pipe, you wouldn't call a firefighter.
• Viruses vs. Bacteria: More than 90% of sore throats are caused by viruses (the "burst pipe"). Antibiotics are "firefighters", specialist tools designed only to fight bacterial infections (the "fire").
• Why We Are Careful: Antibiotics have zero effect on viruses. Using them when not needed won't make you better faster, but it can cause side effects (like rashes or stomach upsets) and contribute to antibiotic resistance.
• The Real Expert: For a viral sore throat, the expert is your own immune system. Our role is to support it with rest, fluids, and painkillers while it fixes the problem.

What Happens Next?

If you have a standard sore throat, the best plan is to use the "Soothing Toolkit" (painkillers, hydration, rest) to manage symptoms while your body recovers. We only prescribe antibiotics when there are clear signs of a bacterial infection where the medication will make a difference.

When to Contact Us:

While most sore throats resolve without antibiotics, please contact us at the link below if:

• Duration: Your symptoms have lasted longer than one week with no sign of improvement.
• Severity: You feel very unwell, or the pain is severe and not helped by painkillers.
• Swallowing: You are unable to swallow fluids.

Further Information

Last reviewed: 7 December 2025
Next review due: 7 December 2028