Sore throat treatment is available at all three Anna Pharmacy branches:
398 Green Wrythe Lane
Carshalton Sutton
SM5 1JF
United Kingdom
186 London Rd, Hackbridge
Wallington
SM6 7FW
United Kingdom
We also welcome patients travelling from the surrounding areas, including Croydon, Richmond, Epsom, Stoneleigh, and Wallington. Whichever branch is most convenient for you, our team is ready to help.
The vast majority of sore throats are caused by viral infections such as the common cold or flu. In rarer cases, bacteria are responsible, including the bacteria that causes strep throat. Other causes include laryngitis, tonsillitis, glandular fever, and prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke or other irritants.
Understanding what is causing your sore throat matters, because viral and bacterial infections are treated very differently. Our pharmacists can help you work out which is more likely and advise on the right course of action. For a full clinical overview, the NHS provides clear guidance at www.nhs.uk/conditions/sore-throat.
Sore throat symptoms are familiar to most of us, but knowing what to look out for helps you judge whether home care is enough or whether it is time to seek advice. Common signs include:
Children may also develop a high temperature and become noticeably less active. In younger children especially, a sore throat combined with a high fever and difficulty swallowing warrants prompt attention.
Our pharmacists can assess your sore throat and provide the same treatment a GP would. Here is what visiting us looks like:
Our pharmacist will assess your throat, ask about your symptoms and how long you have had them, and determine whether a bacterial infection is likely. This assessment guides everything that follows.
Antibiotics are not needed for the majority of sore throats and will not help if the cause is viral. However, if our pharmacist identifies signs of a bacterial infection, they can prescribe antibiotics, in exactly the same way a GP would.
We can also recommend the most appropriate pain relief and soothing treatments, including paracetamol or ibuprofen, medicated lozenges, and antiseptic sprays, and make sure they are safe for you or your child to take.
If your situation needs a GP or urgent care, we will tell you straight away and help you understand what to do next. We are here to make sure you get the right care, whether that is from us or elsewhere.
For most sore throats, simple home care goes a long way while the infection runs its course:
Over-the-counter treatments such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, and medicated lozenges can help manage pain and discomfort. Always check the leaflet or speak to one of our pharmacists before taking anything, particularly if you are pregnant or giving medicine to a child.