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Conditions
SoreThroat
Pain, scratchiness, or irritation in the throat that often worsens when swallowing. Usually caused by viral infections, but can also be bacterial (strep throat).
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Symptoms
CommonsymptomsofSoreThroat
An AHPRA-registered doctor assesses these symptoms online - no in-person visit required.
Pain or scratchiness in the throat
Difficulty or pain when swallowing
Swollen glands in the neck
Hoarse or muffled voice
Red or swollen tonsils
White patches on the tonsils
Fever
Headache
Our Scope
Howwecanhelp
InstantMed handles many common conditions entirely online. Here's what fits our service.
What we can help with
- Medical certificates for time off work or study
- Advice on whether antibiotics are needed
- Pain management recommendations
- Guidance on when to see a GP in person
What needs in-person care
- Throat swab testing
- Treatment for peritonsillar abscess
- Ongoing throat conditions requiring ENT referral
Depending on your situation, an AHPRA-registered doctor may be able to issue a medical certificate or arrange a repeat prescription after reviewing your request online.
Clinical Guidance
Whentoseeadoctor
These indicators suggest you should seek professional medical advice promptly.
Signs you need a doctor
- 1Sore throat lasting more than a week
- 2Difficulty swallowing fluids
- 3Fever lasting more than 3 days
- 4Recurring sore throats
- 5You need a medical certificate for work or study
Seek emergency care if
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Inability to open your mouth
- Drooling (unable to swallow saliva)
- Severe neck swelling
Call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department
Clinical Insight
Adoctor'sperspectiveonSoreThroat
InstantMed Clinical Team
AHPRA-registered medical team · Reviewed 2026-03
A sore throat is one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention, and the overwhelming majority are viral - caused by the same viruses that cause colds and flu. The clinical question is whether antibiotics are warranted, and for most sore throats, the answer is no. I use the modified Centor criteria to assess the probability of Group A Strep infection: fever, tonsillar exudate, tender cervical lymph nodes, absence of cough, and age. A score of 3 or more suggests possible strep and may warrant antibiotics. What patients often do not realise is that even untreated strep throat resolves on its own in most cases - the primary reason we treat with antibiotics is to prevent rheumatic fever (rare in non-Indigenous Australians) and to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. For viral sore throats, the best treatment is pain management: paracetamol, ibuprofen, and warm salt water gargles.
Treatment
TreatingSoreThroat
Most sore throats are viral (70-85% in adults) and do not require antibiotics. The eTG recommends using the modified Centor score to guide antibiotic prescribing: a score of 3-4 (fever, tonsillar exudate, tender anterior cervical lymph nodes, absence of cough, plus age 15-44 years) suggests possible Group A Streptococcus and may warrant treatment. Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V) is first-line for confirmed or likely strep. Amoxicillin is equally effective but should not be used when glandular fever (EBV) is suspected as it causes a maculopapular rash in that context.
Ibuprofen
Nurofen, Advil
Class:NSAID analgesic / anti-inflammatory
Typical dose:400mg every 6-8 hours with food; maximum 1200mg per day OTC
PBS:Available OTC without prescription
- Superior to paracetamol for sore throat pain due to anti-inflammatory mechanism targeting tonsillar inflammation
- Take with food; avoid in peptic ulcer disease, renal impairment, cardiovascular disease
- Combining with paracetamol (alternating) provides better pain control than either alone
Benzydamine (topical)
Difflam Spray, Difflam Lozenges
Class:Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
Typical dose:Spray: 4-8 puffs onto throat every 1.5-3 hours; Lozenges: 1 lozenge every 2-3 hours
PBS:Available OTC without prescription
- Provides direct local anti-inflammatory and anaesthetic effect on the throat
- Cochrane evidence supports topical benzydamine for reduction of sore throat pain and duration
- Particularly useful when swallowing oral analgesics is painful
Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V)
Cilicaine VK, Abbocillin VK
Class:Penicillin antibiotic
Typical dose:500mg twice daily for 10 days (streptococcal pharyngitis)
PBS:PBS listed for streptococcal throat infections; $25.00 general / $7.70 concession (PBS, 2026)
- First-line antibiotic for Group A Streptococcus sore throat per eTG -- narrows strep coverage, limits resistance
- 10-day course is recommended to eliminate strep and reduce rheumatic fever risk (particularly important in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities)
- Do not use amoxicillin if glandular fever (EBV) is possible -- causes characteristic widespread rash
- A telehealth consult can assess modified Centor score and prescribe if bacterial strep is likely
Source: Therapeutic Guidelines -- Antibiotic, 2024; National Heart Foundation of Australia: Guideline for the diagnosis and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Australia, 2020. This information is educational only and does not replace clinical assessment.
Specialist referral: Refer urgently if: difficulty breathing, drooling (inability to swallow saliva), muffled 'hot potato' voice with asymmetric tonsillar swelling (peritonsillar abscess), or neck stiffness with high fever. Refer to ENT for: recurrent streptococcal pharyngitis (5 or more episodes per year), or consideration of tonsillectomy. Glandular fever (EBV) diagnosis and management can be initiated via telehealth with monospot test arranged at a pathology lab.
Sore Throat in Australia
Sore throat accounts for approximately 5% of all GP consultations in Australia
Group A Strep causes only 15-30% of sore throats in children and 5-15% in adults - the rest are viral
Rheumatic heart disease remains a critical concern in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Antibiotics for viral sore throats contribute to antimicrobial resistance without clinical benefit
Recovery
Whattoexpect
Typical recovery timeline and return-to-work guidance for most patients.
Typical recovery
Viral sore throat: 5-7 days, peaking around day 2-3. Bacterial (strep) with antibiotics: significant improvement in 24-48 hours, course completed in 5-10 days. Glandular fever (EBV): sore throat can persist for 2-3 weeks.
Return to work
Most people can work with a sore throat once the worst pain and fever have passed (usually 2-3 days). Good hand hygiene and covering coughs help prevent spreading the infection to colleagues.
When to reassess
See a doctor if you cannot swallow at all (including saliva), if you develop a muffled or 'hot potato' voice, if one side of your throat is significantly more swollen than the other, if you have difficulty breathing, or if symptoms persist beyond 7 days without improvement.
Self-Care
ManagingSoreThroatathome
Evidence-based tips to support your recovery alongside medical treatment.
Gargle with warm salt water several times a day - half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water
Paracetamol and ibuprofen together provide more effective pain relief than either alone
Throat lozenges or anaesthetic throat spray provide temporary local pain relief
Warm drinks (honey and lemon in warm water, herbal tea) soothe the throat - avoid very hot drinks
Stay hydrated - small, frequent sips if swallowing is painful. Cold drinks and ice blocks can also numb the throat
Rest your voice if talking is painful - avoid whispering, which actually strains the vocal cords more than soft speaking
FAQ
CommonquestionsaboutSoreThroat
Answers to the most common questions from patients.
Yes. If your sore throat is severe enough to keep you from work, our doctors can provide a medical certificate.
Most sore throats are viral and don't need antibiotics. Bacterial infections (strep throat) may benefit from antibiotics - a doctor can assess.
Viral sore throats usually resolve in 5-7 days. If it lasts more than a week or gets worse, see a doctor.
Rest, fluids, throat lozenges, and paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain. Gargling warm salt water can also help. See a doctor if it's severe.
Ready to get help with Sore Throat?
Australian-registered doctors review your request when available.
Full refund if the doctor declines.