Sore Throat Symptoms And Signs
Recognising a sore throat
A sore throat is a common symptom of the flu,1,2 so it helps to know how to recognise when a patient is suffering from this condition.
Signs and symptoms
A sore throat is part of the body’s immune response to a viral infection such as the flu.3 Patients suffering from a sore throat may report:
- Difficulty or pain on swallowing
- The sensation of a swollen throat4
- Pain, or a scratchy sensation, in the throat
- Sore, swollen glands around the neck or jaw
- Swollen, red tonsils
- A hoarse or croaky voice5
-
Questions to ask your patient
Ask your patient:5
- Are there symptoms present other than a sore throat?
- Is there a fever present, and if so, what has your temperature been?
- Has there been difficulty breathing?
- What seems to exacerbate or relieve the sore throat?
- Is the sore throat a recurring problem?
-
When to refer your patient for further care
The patient should be referred to a doctor for further assessment and management if any of the following is reported:5
- Difficulty breathing
- Significant difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty opening the mouth
- Joint pain
- Earache
- Rash
- Fever higher than 38°C
- Frequently recurring sore throats
- Lump in the neck
- Hoarseness lasting more than 2 weeks
- Swelling in the neck or face
- Unusual drooling in young children, which may indicate an inability to swallow
Understanding sore throat
Patient care resources
Access a leaflet for your patients, which can help them understand the causes of a sore throat and how best to treat it.
