When Your Child’s Throat Hurts
Most of the time, a child’s
sore throat results from a
cold. This is especially
true if a runny nose, cough, and
hoarseness accompany the throat
pain. When your child has a sore
throat, call your child’s doctor if:
- Symptoms that signal an infection— such as a high fever, throat redness, extreme fatigue, or difficulty swallowing—are present
- Your child is 5 years old or younger and has a very sore throat that lasts longer than a few hours
Will an Antibiotic Help?
Contrary to popular opinion, antibiotics do not cure colds and other viruses. Even worse, these drugs can be dangerous when unneeded. But about three in 10 children’s sore throats stem from a streptococcal bacterial infection, or strep throat. This infection usually attacks from late fall to early spring. Unlike a sore throat caused by a cold, a strep throat requires antibiotics to prevent rheumatic fever and other complications.The antibiotic treatment should kill the germs and offer symptom relief within 24 hours. But to avoid getting a worse infection, make sure your child completes the full course of treatment.
Self-Care Solutions
While waiting for the end of a cold or for antibiotic treatment to take effect, how can you help ease your youngster’s throat pain? Experts offer the following tips:- Have your child rest in a humidified room.
- Give your child plenty of fluids.
- Have your child gargle with a saltwater solution of one-fourth teaspoon salt to onehalf cup water.
