Sore throat while on antibiotics

Antibiotics treat selected bacterial infections, not viruses or irritation from reflux. The original diagnosis may need reassessment if symptoms do not improve, or another problem may be present. Conditions such as Acute Bronchitis, Cellulitis, or Conjunctivitis may be treated with antibiotics in some circumstances, but an antibiotic prescribed for one condition does not treat every cause of throat pain. A new rash, diarrhoea, or breathing symptom may indicate a medicine reaction rather than worsening throat infection.

Take the antibiotic exactly as prescribed unless the prescriber tells you to change it. Do not double a missed dose, save tablets for later, or give them to another person; ask a pharmacist what to do after a missed dose. Rest, drink fluids, choose soft foods, and use suitable labelled pain relief. Contact the prescriber if the throat is not improving, symptoms return after treatment, or side effects concern you.

Seek urgent help for swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, wheezing, faintness, widespread hives, or difficulty breathing. Get prompt assessment if you cannot swallow saliva, become dehydrated, develop severe one-sided swelling, or feel rapidly worse. Do not stop or switch an antibiotic on your own when symptoms are merely slow to settle; obtain advice so the diagnosis and prescription can be reviewed safely.

What infection was this antibiotic intended to treat? When should improvement be expected? Do I need an examination, a swab, or a different plan? Could any new symptom be a medicine side effect?