close

Log in

Access to premium content is restricted to healthcare professionals / registered members. Login with your email address to continue.

Forgot Your Password?

Don't have an account? Sign up

This site is intended for Healthcare Professionals only

Introducing Strefen Spray clock 5 Min

Start

Introducing Strefen Spray clock 5 Min

Start

In Sponsored Education

Introducing NEW Strefen Spray

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After reading this module, you should be able to:

  • Understand the benefits of Strefen Spray in relieving symptoms of acute sore throat

  • Recognise the specific benefits of oromucosal formulations for sore throat

  • Know how to manage acute sore throat in the pharmacy based on the likely cause of the infection (viral or bacterial)

CUSTOMERS WITH ACUTE SORE THROAT may experience various symptoms associated with inflammation, including pain, a dry, scratchy throat and redness at the back of the mouth.1 Symptoms typically last around 1 week, however most customers will improve within this time without antibiotics, regardless of the cause (bacterial or viral).2

There is no evidence that sore throats caused by bacterial infection are more severe or last longer than those caused by a viral infection.3 However, it is important to identify the likely cause as this will determine how treatment is managed in pharmacy.

Click on the tabs below to learn what you could do in each circumstance:

BACTERIAL INFECTION
VIRAL INFECTION
RED FLAGS

If you suspect your customer has an acute sore throat caused by a bacterial infection, you could consider referring them to the Pharmacy First service. If your customer is eligible and achieves a FeverPain score of 4 or 5, they may receive antibiotic treatment if suitable.4

The FeverPAIN score assesses and awards 1 point each to the following:2,4

Fever (over 38°C)

Purulence

First Attendance within 3 days after onset of symptoms

Severely Inflamed tonsils

No cough or coryza (cold symptoms)

Remember: It is important to keep in mind the risk of antimicrobial resistance. Most cases of acute sore throat are viral and will resolve on their own without antibiotics.2

Most cases of acute sore throat are viral and will resolve within a week.2 Sore throat is a common symptom of COVID-19, colds and flu, and the best way to support your customer is by offering them OTC symptom relief and self-care tips to quicken their recovery.5,6 Viral infections are usually contagious, so you should advise your customer to reduce the spread of infection.

They can do this by:6

  • Covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and discard of any tissues immediately

  • Washing hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds

  • Using a hand sanitiser after coughing and sneezing, or when handling food

  • Ventilating rooms to allow airflow by opening windows

  • Avoiding contact with vulnerable people, e.g. the elderly

Note: Rhinorrhoea (runny nose), nasal congestion and cough are usually present in viral sore throat, but not in bacterial sore throat.3

If a customer presents with any of the following, regardless of the cause of the infection, you should refer them to their GP or A&E:1,5

  • Showing signs of a bacterial infection and they are not suitable for the Pharmacy First service

  • A weakened immune system, e.g. due to chemotherapy

  • Symptoms that are severe or getting worse quickly

  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing

  • Severe pain

  • Drooling

  • A muffled voice

  • A high-pitched sound as they breathe (stridor)

  • Symptoms lasting for over a week without improvement

Regardless of the cause of sore throat, you should always consider OTC treatment for symptom management.

Antibiotics for bacterial infections can take a few days to improve symptoms; these customers may benefit from OTC pain relief in the meantime.

Click through the carousel below to understand more about the different products you could offer your customer:

TABLETS, CAPSULES AND LIQUIDS

PARACETAMOL and IBUPROFEN are analgesics commonly used to treat sore throat. They are also included in many cold and flu combination products.

These oral formulations take time to show their effects as they have to first pass through the stomach and can be influenced by its contents, e.g. food and drink.

LOZENGES

LOZENGES are widely available and commonly used to relieve a sore throat. However, their effectiveness and suitability varies depending on their active ingredient. They are not suitable for small children due to the risk of choking. Lozenges that contain NSAIDs, such as flurbiprofen, offer targeted anti-inflammatory relief direct to the site of pain.7

SPRAYS

THROAT SPRAYS are a convenient and fast-acting method of treating pain directly at the site. When aimed at the back of the throat, they are isolated to the area of pain and can get to work more quickly than oral formulations. Those containing flurbiprofen provide an anti-inflammatory effect that works from 5 minutes and lasts for up to 6 hours.8

THROAT RINSE SOLUTIONS / GARGLES

THROAT RINSE solutions allow the customer to receive a localised analgesic effect. However, some customers may find them inconvenient for use on the go due to their need to be discarded (spit out) and their often large container size.

Essential information and information on adverse event reporting is available at the end of the module.

Content developed by Reckitt working with CIG Healthcare Partnership.
© 2025 CIG Healthcare Partnership

RT-M-1z4ykj July 2025

Change privacy settings