Disclaimer [ENGLISH]
Disclaimer: This material is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, nor does it replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. Reference to a specific commercial product or service does not imply endorsement or recommendation of that product or service by CPCMG.
What causes a sore throat?
- The most common infectious causes for sore throats are viruses and bacteria such as strep
- Allergies can cause a sore throat as well
What are the symptoms of a sore throat?
- If old enough your child may tell you it hurts to swallow
- They may have a fever
- They may have cough a runny nose, or congestion as well
- They may be refusing liquids and solids
- They may say their throat feels scratchy
- They may have bad breath
- They may have swollen or painful glands in their neck
What can I do to help my child?
- For infants under 6 months of age you can give Tylenol to treat the pain
- For anyone older than 6 months, Tylenol or ibuprofen can be given to treat the pain (See Tylenol and ibuprofen dosage tables)
- You want to encourage your child to stay hydrated, so lots and lots of fluids
- For 12 months and up you can give honey on it’s own or mixed in with a food or liquid
- For children old enough to gargle, salt water gargles can help
- For children old enough, (usually 4 years and older), throat lozenges can be helpful
- Both warm or cold liquids may help
- Items like ice cream or popsicles may also help (where age appropriate and under adult supervision)
How is it treated?
- Your child’s provider will discuss symptoms, perform an exam and may swab your child for strep throat or obtain labs to check for mono
- If your child has strep throat, an antibiotic will be prescribed
- Help your child’s symptoms improve by encouraging fluids, giving honey (if over 1 year old), and any medications recommended by your child’s provider.
How can I prevent it?
- Encourage lots of hand washing
- Avoid sharing food and drink
- Avoid sick contacts
When to call your child’s provider:
- Your child is urinating less than three times in a 24-hour period
- Your child is getting worse
- Your child has a fever for 5 days
- Your child is developing other symptoms
- Your child is showing any signs of trouble breathing
- Your child is refusing fluids
This publication was adapted from information within American Academy of Pediatrics Patient Education Handouts, UpToDate Guidelines and Healthychildren.org
Reviewed by: TT D.O, AR D.O. | 08/2023