Acute sore throat self-care — GPhC CRA MCQ

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ModerateInfectionsAcute sore throat self-careGPhC CRA

A healthy 22-year-old has had a sore throat for two days, can swallow fluids, has no breathing difficulty and has a FeverPAIN score of 1. What is the best advice?

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Correct answer: B — Offer analgesia, self-care and red-flag advice with no antibiotic

Offer analgesia, self-care and red-flag advice with no antibiotic: A very low FeverPAIN score predicts little antibiotic benefit, while symptom control and advice about deterioration are appropriate. Offer immediate clarithromycin and standard sore-throat self-care advice: A low clinical score does not support routine antibiotic treatment. Offer a back-up antibiotic after 24 hours of persistent symptoms: Duration of two days with a low score is not an indication for a back-up prescription. Offer analgesia and arrange emergency assessment for the low-grade fever: Analgesia is appropriate, but a low-grade fever alone, without airway, swallowing or systemic red flags, does not justify emergency assessment. Offer analgesia and review routinely if symptoms persist beyond two weeks: A fixed two-week wait omits advice to seek help sooner if symptoms worsen rapidly, become systemically severe or fail to improve in the expected course.

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