What we check
Duration of fever, swallowing pain, cough, rash, travel or mosquito exposure, and whether you can drink fluids. Throat exam and temperature are routine; blood tests are added when dengue, bacterial infection or dehydration risk is in play.
Sore throat with drooling, stridor, stiff neck, purple rash, or extreme lethargy — especially in children — needs emergency care, not a routine queue.
Bring a medication list; some chronic patients need earlier escalation.