Sore throat
A sore throat that's uncomfortable to swallow past? Check whether it can be safely assessed without an in-person look. Quinn checks your breathing and swallowing first, then a clinician advises on care — most sore throats don't need antibiotics.
- No appointment or video call
- NZ clinician reviewed
- Pay only if approved
What to expect
Talk to Quinn, our AI assistant. A NZ clinician reviews your history and decides your care.
- A clinician can explain pain relief, fluids and whether any treatment or testing is needed
- Airway symptoms, severe illness or a possible abscess needs urgent in-person assessment
Is this service right for me?
Start an online assessment if…
- Breathing and swallowing are comfortable and the illness is not severe
- You can describe the throat, fever, cough, glands and rheumatic-fever risk factors
Use another service first if…
- Noisy or difficult breathing, drooling, a muffled voice or inability to swallow
- Trouble opening the mouth, one-sided swelling, stiff neck, severe illness or a new rash
When to get care sooner
Some symptoms need urgent or in-person care.
Call 111 or get urgent help now if you…
- have trouble breathing or swallowing
- are drooling
- have a muffled voice
- can't open your mouth
- have one-sided throat swelling
- have a stiff neck
- have a new rash
See a doctor if you…
- aren't improving after 3 days
- feel much worse
About sore throat
A sore throat is pain or irritation in the throat, most often caused by a virus and made worse by swallowing. A viral sore throat can look like one needing more than rest and pain relief. Telling them apart is hard without looking inside the mouth. That's why a clinician works through your symptoms carefully.
- Throat pain, discomfort swallowing, fever or swollen neck glands
- A short illness that may also include cough or cold symptoms
How your online consultation works
No appointment or video call to book. See the current clinician review time before you start.
- Tell QuinnDescribe your concern in your own words. Quinn, our AI assistant, gathers the information for your clinician.
- Clinician reviewA registered NZ clinician reviews your history and decides your care. They may ask for more detail.
- Receive your careApproved documents are saved in My care. Any prescription goes to your chosen pharmacy.
Keep your usual GP. You choose whether to share your approved consultation summary with your usual practice.
What we’ll ask about
Answer naturally. Quinn follows up on what matters to your situation, using these topics for the assessment.
- Onset, fever, cough, swollen glands and what the throat looks like
- Breathing noise, drooling, muffled voice, trouble opening the mouth or one-sided swelling
- Rheumatic-fever risk, recurrence, immune health, medicines and allergies
Frequently asked questions
Do I need antibiotics for a sore throat?
Usually not, most are viral and settle within about a week. A clinician reviews your history and advises if yours needs more.
What raises the chance a sore throat needs antibiotics?
Things like a sudden fever, rapid onset, red or pus-covered tonsils, and no runny nose or cough all point towards one cause. A clinician weighs these up using a scoring system.
Why does it matter if I also have swollen glands or feel very washed out?
These can be signs of glandular fever rather than a simple bacterial throat infection, which changes the safest treatment choice.
Fees and practical details
Your consultation fee is shown before submission. Your card is charged only if care is approved; medicine and pharmacy costs are separate.