Acute Sore Throat | Right Decisions

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Antimicrobial prescribing: NHS Grampian, Orkney & Shetland
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UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS
Acute Sore Throat

Update your RDS mobile app to v4.7.1 to download toolkits even when website is down,

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

What's new / Latest updates

Links to new interim guidance from UK HSA and SAPG relating to Group A Streptococcus removed

CKS NICE
FeverPAIN

Avoid antibiotics as 90% resolve in 7 days without, and pain only reduced by 16 hours.

Use FeverPAIN Score: Fever in last 24h, Purulence, Attend rapidly <3 days, severely Inflamed tonsils, No cough or coryza.

Score

0-1: NO antibiotic,

2-3: No or back-up antibiotic prescription,

≥4: Immediate antibiotic if severe, or 48hr back-up prescription.

Systemically very unwell or high risk of complications: Immediate antibiotic

Always share self-care advice & safety net. Non-Prescription Pad and NHS Inform Patient Information

You need to treat 200 patients to prevent one case of otitis media

and >4000 patients to prevent one quinsy.

Drug details

Phenoxymethylpenicillin

500mg 4 x daily OR

1g 2 x daily

5 days OR

if recurrent or high suspicion/confirmation of streptococcal throat infection:

10 days

Penicillin Allergy:

Clarithromycin

500mg 2 x daily

5 days

Last reviewed: 20/02/2023

Author(s): Fiona McDonald, Antimicrobial Pharmacist.

Version: 1.3

Approved By: Antimicrobial Management Team

Reviewer name(s): Fiona McDonald.