Asore throat is a very common presenting complaint. In Scotland it has been estimated that as many as 51 per 1000 patients per year attend their GP or practice nurse with the symptom. However, the incidence of sore throat is much higher; it is estimated that only one in every 18 episodes of sore throat leads to a GP consultation. A sore throat can be the presenting symptom in a variety of acute and chronic conditions. This article describes the features and management of those conditions which are common and/or serious.
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