Treatment of viral sore Throats

Viral sore throats will normally resolve without treatment. Pain can be managed with analgesics.
Antibiotic treatment is indicated if streptococcal infection is suspected, patient has rheumatic heart disease or peritonsillar cellulitis or abscess is present.

Phenoxymethyl penicillin
Adult
500mg (O) bd for 10 days   
Child
50mg/kg/day to max 1g/day for 10 days

Roxithromycin
Adult
300mg (O) daily for 10 days           
Child
4mg/kg to max150 mg (O) bd for 10 days

In severe cases oral penicillin may be supplemented with procaine penicillin, 1-1.5 mg IM  daily for 3-5 days
Non-compliant adult patients can be treated with a single dose of benzathine penicillin – 900 mg IM
Ampicillin should not be used to avoid complicating a possible diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis.
Peritonsillar abscess which fails to respond to antibiotics, may require drainage.
Removal of tonsils (tonsillectomy) may be indicated if patient suffers repeated infections or has chronic tonsillitis