GP's 'burnt toast' check that means your sore throat needs 'immediate' medical help

GP's 'burnt toast' check that means your sore throat needs 'immediate' medical help Autumn and winter often see people laid low by colds, flu and sore throats and while most can be managed at home sometimes more help is needed A GP has shared a "burnt toast" check to help people know when they can manage their sore throat at home and when to seek urgent medical help. As the colder weather begins to arrive many people are finding themselves with flu, coughs, colds. One issue which can be debilitating and painful is a sore throat but there is often little you can do to speed up recovery aside from resting, keeping hydrated while soothing the pain with over-the-counter pain relief and throat lozenges. But in some cases the symptoms might need urgent medical attention and warrant an "immediate" call to the doctor's surgery. According to the NHS Sore throats are very common and usually nothing to worry about and will normally get better by themselves within a week. It recommends that to help soothe a sore throat and shorten how long it lasts, you can gargle with warm, salty water (children should not try this); drink plenty of water; eat cool or soft foods; avoid smoking or smoky places; suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets – but do not give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking and rest. However there are times when more urgent care is needed. Dr Patrick Moore, a GP partner at the Adam practice in Dorset, has shared a simple method of working out when self-care is not enough. He says: "Having a sore throat is miserable, and it's natural to wonder if it's something you should just have to put up with, or if it's a sign of something more serious." The expert went on to explain in a video, how to tell the difference, what you can do to feel better at home, and "most importantly", when to contact the GP. He said: "So, why is it important to know when to worry? Think of your symptoms as a kitchen fire alarm. Most of the time, that alarm is signalling burnt toast, a simple viral sore throat that your body will fight on its own. "But very rarely, it can be a sign of a real fire that needs our help to put it out. Knowing the difference gives you the confidence to manage at home and the clarity to know when to call us." He goes on the share the "burnt toast" method of knowing what action to take. He says: "So, how do you handle burnt toast? Most sore throats last about a week. The best thing you can do are simple: use painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen, drink plenty of fluids and get some rest. "And how can you spot the signs of a potential real fire? There are a few key things to look out for. Are you struggling to breathe? Are you finding it hard to swallow, or are you drooling? "Is your voice muffled, like you're speaking with a hot potato in your mouth? Do you have a very high fever that isn't coming down with paracetamol or ibuprofen?" He then explains what it means and what to do about it. He says: "If your symptoms are like burnt toast, uncomfortable but manageable, then what you need to do is to focus on that self-care at home. Your local pharmacist can give you great advice on lozenges and sprays that can help soothe your pain. "But if you have any of these real fire red flag symptoms. What you must do is seek medical advice straight away. To summarise, most sore throats, while painful, are minor problems that will pass. Focus on keeping yourself comfortable and giving your body time to recover. "But please never ignore the alarm. If you are struggling to breathe, can't swallow, feel very unwell in yourself, and are getting worse instead of better, they need to contact us at the annual practice immediately."