Throat Infections
Throat infections — including tonsillitis and pharyngitis — cause pain, swelling, and difficulty swallowing, and can be caused by viral or bacterial pathogens. Most clear within a week with rest and symptom management, but a doctor can determine the cause and prescribe antibiotics where a bacterial infection is confirmed, speeding recovery and preventing complications.
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On this page
This page provides general health information only. Difficulty breathing or a severely swollen throat is a medical emergency — call 112 immediately.
Types of throat infection
- Viral pharyngitis — the most common type; caused by cold and flu viruses; resolves without antibiotics
- Bacterial tonsillitis (strep throat) — caused by Group A Streptococcus; responds well to antibiotics and requires treatment to prevent rare complications
- Glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis) — caused by Epstein-Barr virus; causes severe sore throat, swollen glands, and profound fatigue lasting weeks
- Peritonsillar abscess (quinsy) — a complication of tonsillitis requiring urgent drainage; causes severe unilateral throat pain and difficulty opening the mouth
Symptoms
- Sore, painful throat — often worsening on swallowing
- Red, swollen tonsils — sometimes with white patches or pus
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck
- Fever and chills
- Hoarse voice and difficulty swallowing
- Earache — referred pain from the throat
- In glandular fever: extreme fatigue, widespread lymph node swelling, and sometimes a rash
Causes
Around 85–90% of throat infections are viral and do not require antibiotics. Bacterial throat infections — primarily Group A Streptococcus — account for the remainder and do respond to antibiotics. Clinical scoring tools (Centor criteria) help doctors distinguish bacterial from viral causes and guide prescribing decisions appropriately.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if throat pain is severe, fever is high, you have significant difficulty swallowing, your voice becomes muffled, or symptoms are not improving after 5–7 days. Seek emergency care if you have difficulty breathing, drooling due to inability to swallow, or a throat that looks severely swollen.
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Treatment options
- Rest, fluids, and pain relief — paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain and fever; the mainstay of viral throat infection management
- Throat lozenges and sprays — provide temporary local relief
- Antibiotics (phenoxymethylpenicillin or amoxicillin) — for confirmed or strongly suspected bacterial tonsillitis; reduce duration of illness and prevent rare complications including rheumatic fever
- Corticosteroids — a single dose of dexamethasone can significantly reduce the pain of severe tonsillitis
- Tonsillectomy — for recurrent tonsillitis (7+ episodes per year, or 5+ per year for 2 consecutive years); a permanent solution
How eMedClinic can help
Our doctors assess throat infection symptoms, apply clinical scoring to guide prescribing, and provide appropriate treatment — including antibiotics where indicated. Online consultation is ideal for throat infections — get assessment and a prescription without having to leave home when you are unwell.
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