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Warning-sign checks

Pharyngitis - viral: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency help now if you or someone in your care:

    • Has trouble breathing, noisy breathing, or blue or grey lips
    • Cannot swallow saliva or is drooling because swallowing is impossible
    • Has rapidly increasing swelling of the tongue, throat, face, or neck
    • Is difficult to wake, confused, or has collapsed
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Get urgent medical advice the same day for severe one-sided throat pain, a muffled voice, difficulty opening the mouth, or worsening neck swelling.

    These may be signs of a deeper infection.

    Prompt assessment is also appropriate if you cannot drink enough, have signs of dehydration, develop a widespread rash, or become much worse after starting to improve.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Contact a healthcare professional for routine advice if the sore throat is not improving after about a week, keeps returning, or is accompanied by prolonged fever, marked tiredness, or persistently swollen glands.

    Seek advice earlier if you have a weakened immune system or another condition that increases the risk of complications.

The article also says

For babies and young children, get advice if feeding or drinking drops noticeably, wet nappies become less frequent, or the child seems unusually sleepy or distressed.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Pharyngitis - viral. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.