Sore Throat

Background: Sore throat is a common reason for consultation of primary care physicians, pediatricians, and ENT specialists. The updated German clinical practice guideline on sore throat provides evidence-based recommendations for treatment in the framework of the German healthcare system. Methods: Guideline revision by means of a systematic search of the literature for international guidelines and systematic reviews. All recommendations were developed by an interdisciplinary guideline committee and agreed by formal consensus. The updated guideline applies to patients aged 3 years and over. Results: In the absence of red flags such as immunosuppression, severe comorbidity, or severe systemic infection, acute sore throat is predominantly self-limiting. The mean duration is 7 days. Chronic sore throat usually has noninfectious causes. Laboratory tests are not routinely necessary. Apart from non-pharmacological selfmanagement, ibuprofen and naproxen are recommended for symptomatic treatment. Scores can be used to assess the risk of bacterial pharyngitis: one point each is assigned for purulent or inflamed tonsils, palpable cervical lymph nodes, patient age, disease course, and elevated temperature. If the risk is low (<3 points), antibiotics are not indicated; if at least moderate (3 points), delayed prescribing is recommended; if high (>3 points), antibiotics can be taken immediately. Penicillin remains the first choice, with clarithromycin as an alternative for those who do not tolerate penicillin. The antibiotic should be taken for 5-7 days. Conclusion: After the exclusion of red flags, antibiotic treatment is unnecessary in many cases of acute sore throat. If administration of antibiotics is still considered in spite of patient education on the usual course of tonsillopharyngitis and the low risk of complications, a risk-adapted approach using clinical scores is recommended.

Automated summary

The updated German clinical practice guideline on sore throat offers evidence-based recommendations for patients aged 3 years and over. Antibiotic treatment is unnecessary in many cases of acute sore throat after excluding red flags, and a risk-adapted approach using clinical scores is recommended for deciding on antibiotic administration.