Sore throat hanging around? Hurts when you swallow?

Get the right treatment with our sore throat products, treatment recommendations and expert advice.

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. In-store our pharmacists can offer advice as well as a range of over the counter treatments that can help make you feel better if you have a sore throat. 

What causes a sore throat?

Sore throats are usually caused by an infection, which can be bacterial or viral. Most sore throats are caused by viruses, but some can be bacterial. Visit your GP for a sore throat test, this will show you if it’s being caused by a bacterium called Strep A. Our Pharmacists can also offer advice and treatments for sore throats.

What are the symptoms of a sore throat?

The symptoms of a sore throat and the severity of them can vary from person to person; you may find that the scratchy feeling in your throat is accompanied by a cough or headache.
Sore throat symptoms include:
• Pain in your throat especially when swallowing
• Swollen glands on the side of your neck and throat
• An accompanying cough
• Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth
• A dry scratchy throat
• The back of your throat may appear red or have spots
You may also experience:
• A hoarse voice
• High temperature
• Headache
• Nausea
• Tiredness
• Earache
• A sore and painful tongue

How can I treat a sore throat?

Most adults will get the occasional sore throat, but there are lots of products out there to help ease the pain. Painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen will help with the pain and to reduce a high temperature if you have one. Ibuprofen can also reduce swelling if your throat is swollen and sore. You could also try throat sprays which contain local anaesthetics to numb your throat.

Your Pharmacist can also help with pain relief, speak to them if:
• You're taking any medication - some can cause sore throats or weaken your immune system
• You've got a medical condition which weakens your immune system
• There's no improvement after seven days
• You've got a high temperature which doesn't go down
• You've got a history of rheumatic fever
• You have bad breath
• You have swollen glands