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Antibiotic delayed prescription — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardInfectionsAntibiotic delayed prescriptionGPhC CRA

An otherwise well adult receives a back-up antibiotic prescription for acute sore throat. When should NICE advice them to start it?

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Correct answer: B — If symptoms do not improve within 3–5 days or if they worsen rapidly or significantly

For a back-up prescription, NICE advises use if symptoms do not start to improve within three to five days or if they worsen rapidly or significantly. The patient should also seek medical help for systemic illness or other red flags. Most acute sore throats improve within about a week, and antibiotics shorten symptoms only modestly on average.

Reference: NICE NG84: Acute sore throat antimicrobial prescribing: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng84/chapter/Recommendations