Table 1. Overview of red flags for sore throat, as well as how to proceed in the case of preventable high-risk courses and re-evaluation.

Individual approach in the case of the following red flags:	Referral to an ENT specialist in the case of:	Immediate admission to hospital in the case of:	Re-evaluation if there is no improvement after 3–4 days
Suspected scarlet fever Suspected infectious mononucleosis A different focus of infection (pneumonia, bronchitis, otitis media, sinusitis) Typical conditions involving severe immunosuppression Increased risk of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) Severe comorbidities	Suspected neoplasm Suspected peritonsillar abscess (presentation on same day, otherwise hospital admission) Persisting > 6 weeks Recurrent acute tonsillitis (if more than six times per year: check indication for surgery)	Stridor or difficulty breathing (suspected epiglottitis, infectious mononucleosis) Signs of severe systemic disease (e.g., meningitis, diphtheria, Kawasaki syndrome, Lemierre’s syndrome) Signs of severe suppurative complications (peritonsillar and para- or retropharyngeal abscess) Exsiccation	Consider the following: Differential diagnoses (such as infectious mononucleosis) Signs or symptoms of more serious/systemic disease Previous antibiotic treatment (resistance development!)