How can I effectively manage pain relief in patients with acute pharyngitis?

Effective pain relief management in patients presenting with acute pharyngitis involves advising the use of paracetamol and/or ibuprofen as antipyretic and analgesic agents to reduce throat pain and fever.

Medicated lozenges containing local anaesthetics, NSAIDs, or antiseptics may provide temporary symptomatic relief of throat pain.

Patients should be advised to maintain adequate fluid intake during the illness.

Hot drinks should be avoided as they can exacerbate throat pain.

Routine antibiotic prescription is generally not recommended solely for pain relief, as antibiotics have minimal effect on symptom duration and carry risks of adverse effects; antibiotics should be reserved for cases with higher FeverPAIN or Centor scores or confirmed bacterial infection.

Patients should be informed to seek medical advice if symptoms worsen rapidly, do not improve after one week, or if they develop systemic illness.