Pharmacist warns 'get help' if you have certain type of sore throat

07 March 2024 , 13:56

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Most soar throats clear up within a week (Image: Getty Images/Cavan Images RF)

A pharmacist has warned that a certain type of sore throat could be a sign of something more serious. Sore throats are common in winter due to the cold air and spreading germs, but they can also appear at other times.

While most sore throats clear up within a week, some could signal strep throat. Niamh McMillan, Superdrug's pharmacy superintendent, explains how to tell the difference between the two and when you should seek help.

Severity

Niamh said: "A sore throat usually heals within a week and may have milder symptoms than strep throat. With strep throat there are other symptoms such as finding it difficult to swallow and red and swollen tonsils, all of which aren't symptoms of a regular sore throat", reports Wales Online.

Lymph glands

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Niamh said: "Another symptom of strep throat is swollen lymph glands, so to check if yours are swollen gently, press around the neck and near the side of your face. Swollen lymph glands will feel like a lump and may be tender to touch."

Fever

Niamh said: "Other symptoms that usually appear with strep throat and not a sore throat, is a fever, so make sure to monitor changes in your temperature. Sometimes, people who have a sore throat can have other illnesses such as cold and flu which can also have fever symptoms, so it's best to be vigilant and watch out for all symptoms listed, or speak to a healthcare professional for a second opinion."

Headache and stomach pain

Niamh pointed out: "There are some less common symptoms of strep throat such as a headache and stomach pain, so if you have these in addition to previously mentioned symptoms, please seek help from your GP."

When and how to seek help

Niamh advised: "A sore throat can be uncomfortable so even if you're positive you don't have strep throat, then you can still head to a pharmacy where a pharmacist will be able to review your symptoms and if suitable, supply medication to help ease the discomfort. At Superdrug pharmacies in England we provide a sore throat service as part of the newly launched Pharmacy First service."

Pharmacy First is a service where pharmacists can provide people with professional health care advice, treatments, and medicines for seven common illnesses, instead of the patient going to a GP surgery. As part of the service, seven common health conditions that pharmacists will be able to help with are sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles and minor urinary tract infections in women. Superdrug has private consultation rooms in every pharmacy to conduct the service and offer healthcare advice.

Rom Preston-Ellis