1. Introduction
   1.1 Background: The need for a guideline
   1.2 Aim of the guideline
   1.3 Definitions
   1.4 Symptoms and signs
   1.5 Epidemiology
   1.6 Sore throat in Scotland
   1.7 Natural history of recurrent sore throat
2. Presentation
   2.1 Incidence of sore throat in general practice
   2.2 Reasons for presentation in general practice
   2.3 Emergency hospital admission
3. Diagnosis of sore throat
   3.1 Clinical diagnosis
   3.2 Throat culture
   3.3 Rapid antigen testing
4. General management of sore throat
   4.1 Simple analgesics
   4.2 Non steroidal anti-inflammatory agents
   4.3 Other analgesics
   4.4 Adjunctive therapy
   4.5 Symptomatic treatment in the community
5. Antibiotics in sore throat
   5.1 Antibiotics in acute sore throat
   5.2 Antibiotics in recurrent sore throat
   5.3 Use of antibiotics to prevent rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis
   5.4 Use of antibiotics to prevent suppurative complications 
   5.5 Use of antibiotics to relieve symptoms
   5.6 Use of antibiotics to prevent cross-infection in sore throat 
6. Surgery in recurrent sore throat
   6.1 Tonsillectomy rates
   6.2 Evidence for surgery in recurrent sore throat
   6.3 Referral criteria for tonsillectomy
   6.4 Otolaryngological assessment
7. Recommendations for audit and research
   7.1 Key points for audit
   7.2 Research priorities

Annexes

1. Details of systematic review undertaken for this guideline
2. Example patient information leaflet: Tonsillitis and sore throat
3. Example patient information leaflet: Tonsillectomy
4. Antibiotics in GABHS and non-GABHS sore throat
5. Example proforma for assessment of sore throat symptoms