Minor Ailments

Sore Throat

Soothe your sore throat with treatments and pharmacist guidance.

Soothing and Treating a Sore Throat

A sore throat is one of the most common reasons people visit a pharmacy. It is most often caused by a viral infection such as the common cold and typically resolves on its own within a week. Bacterial causes, such as strep throat, require antibiotic treatment. PharmaChoice pharmacists can assess your symptoms, recommend appropriate relief products, and in many provinces can test and treat strep throat directly.

Recognizing Sore Throat Symptoms

Symptoms include pain or scratchiness in the throat that often worsens when swallowing, swollen and red tonsils, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, hoarseness, and mild fever. A sore throat with white patches or severe pain may suggest strep throat and should be assessed promptly.

How Your Pharmacist Can Help

Your PharmaChoice pharmacist can recommend throat lozenges, numbing sprays, pain relievers, and gargling solutions for symptom relief. In eligible provinces, pharmacists can perform rapid strep tests and prescribe antibiotics if needed, saving you a trip to the doctor.

Find Sore Throat Treatment Near You

Visit a PharmaChoice pharmacy near you for sore throat assessment and treatment. Our pharmacists can assess your symptoms and help guide you toward appropriate care.

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to questions about sore throats, including how to tell if it is strep, what treatments work best, and when to see a doctor.

How do I know if my sore throat is strep?

Strep throat typically presents with sudden severe throat pain, fever, red and swollen tonsils with white patches, and swollen lymph nodes, usually without cough or runny nose. If appropriate, a rapid strep test or throat culture may be recommended to help confirm strep throat.

Can a pharmacist test and treat strep throat?

In many Canadian provinces, pharmacists are authorized to perform rapid strep tests and prescribe antibiotics for strep throat. Ask your PharmaChoice pharmacist if this service is available in your area.

What helps relieve a sore throat at home?

Gargling with warm salt water, staying hydrated, using throat lozenges or sprays with numbing agents, taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain, and using a humidifier can all help relieve sore throat discomfort.

Do antibiotics work for a sore throat?

Antibiotics are only effective for bacterial throat infections such as strep throat. Most sore throats are caused by viruses, which do not respond to antibiotics. Unnecessary antibiotic use should be avoided.

When should I see a doctor for a sore throat?

Seek medical attention if your sore throat is severe or lasts longer than a week, is accompanied by difficulty breathing or swallowing, high fever, drooling, or a muffled voice, which may indicate a more serious condition.

Get care guidance and treatment support from your pharmacist.

Our pharmacists can assess symptoms and prescribe treatments for minor ailments.