sore throat

Question 1

symptoms of a sore throat?

Answer 1

Sore throats consist of an uncomfortable, tender feeling around the throat area and are usually a symptom of an acute upper respiratory tract infection. Around 90% of sore throats have a viral origin, with the remaining 10% being due to a bacterial infection

Question 2

red flags of sore throat?

Answer 2

● High temperature in the systemically unwell
● Difficulty breathing
● Inability to swallow or difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
● Sore throats lasting longer than 10 days
● Extreme pain lasting longer than 1-2 days, especially without any cold or cough symptoms
● Symptoms indicative of tonsillitis:
● Symptoms indicative of oral thrush: white plaques around the throat which bleed when scraped off
● Patients taking medications that have the potential to cause blood dyscrasias (such as neutropenia and agranulocytosis) as this may require urgent review by a doctor. This
includes drugs such as:
○ Methotrexate
○ Carbimazole
○ Immunosuppressants

Question 3

what is the lifestyle advice for sore throat?

Answer 3

● It may be of use to advise patients to dissolve salt in warm (not boiling) water and to rinse their mouth with it
● Other home remedies include those containing honey, which has a syrup-like texture that will soothe the throat
● It is important to advise patients to maintain adequate water intake

Question 4

drug treatment options for sore throat?

Answer 4

• Demulcents
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Local anaesthetics
• Local antiseptics

Question 5

what do demulcents do?

Answer 5

Relieve irritation and give short-term relief by forming a protective layer on top of the throat
● Soothing sensation may lubricate and relieve sore throat
● Also used to treat dry coughs
● Available as syrups and lozenges
● A good option for children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers

Question 6

examples of demulcents?

Answer 6

Glycerine, Simple Linctus, Honey and Lemon

Question 7

what do anti-inflammatory drugs do?

Answer 7

● Relieve inflammation, pain, irritation and redness
● Gargling with dispersible aspirin 300mg
● Available as dispersible tablets, melts, lozenges, sprays and mouthwashes
● A maximum of 5 lozenges per day can be used for a maximum duration of 3 days

Question 8

examples of anti-inflammatory drugs?

Answer 8

Dispersible Aspirin, Benzydamine, Flurbiprofen

Question 9

when should anti-inflammatories not be used?

Answer 9

● Aspirin should not be used in children under the age of 16 years due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome
● Benzydamine mouthwash should not be used in children under 12 years and Benzydamine spray is not suitable for children under 6 years

Question 10

wehn should linctus not be used?

Answer 10

● Simple paediatric linctus should not be used in infants under the age of 1 year
● Simple linctus should not be used in children under the age of 12 years

Question 11

what do local anaesthetics do?

Answer 11

● Quickly numb the throat to relieve pain

Question 12

when should local anaesthics not be used?

Answer 12

Should not be used if sensitivity reactions are suspected to occur
● Should not be used for longer than 5 days
under 16 years

Question 13

examples of local antiseptics?

Answer 13

Benzalkonium Chloride, Hexylresorcinol