Algorithm for assessing and managing acute sore throat

Sore throat is often referred to as pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx) or tonsillitis (inflammation of the palatine tonsils), but it can be a symptom of many other conditions.

For an algorithm for assessing and managing acute sore throat, see here. Patient assessment is essential to ensure appropriate management. For the common syndromes of viral and streptococcal pharyngitis and tonsillitis, the approach to management depends on the patient’s risk of acute rheumatic fever—see Determining risk of acute rheumatic fever in patients with pharyngitis and tonsillitis. For the approach to managing patients at high risk of acute rheumatic fever, see here and for the approach to managing patients not at high risk of acute rheumatic fever, see here.
Figure 1. Approach to assessing and managing acute sore throat.

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Assess the patient’s need for hospitalisationCoronavirus diseaseFigureFigureFigureDifferential diagnosesRisk of ARFEmpirical antibiotic therapySymptomatic therapyClinical featuresSymptomatic therapySymptomatic therapyEmpirical antibiotic therapyShared decision makingShared decision makingApproach to managing pharyngitis and tonsillitis in patients at high risk of acute rheumatic feverApproach to managing pharyngitis and tonsillitis in patients not at high risk of acute rheumatic feverClinical featuresApproach to managing pharyngitis and tonsillitis in patients not at high risk of acute rheumatic feverRole of investigations in viral and streptococcal pharyngitis and tonsillitisRole of investigations in viral and streptococcal pharyngitis and tonsillitis