Pediatric Sore Throat

Pediatric Sore Throat Overview

Sore throats are often the result of minor illnesses that do not require prescribed medications. In some cases, however, a child’s sore throat can be a symptom of a more serious infection.

A sore throat, also known as pharyngitis, may be caused by a virus, which inflames the throat around the tonsils. It may accompany a cold or other acute respiratory infection. While an older child can tell you that his throat hurts, a younger child may simply be cranky and have no appetite.

Among throat viruses, infectious mononucleosis is a lengthier illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. While many young children with this virus show few or no symptoms, older children may have a sore throat lasting as long as four weeks, fever, headache, lethargy, and swollen glands in the neck and armpits.

Another virus linked to sore throat is Coxsackie infection, commonly known as Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. Coxsackie sufferers may have difficulty swallowing, a higher fever, and may have blisters on the throat, hands and feet.

Strep throat is caused by the Group A streptococcus, a specific bacterium that causes throat and tonsil inflammation. Strep throat may be accompanied by fever, headache, white patches on your child’s throat or tonsils, painful swallowing, swollen glands in your child’s jaw or throat—even abdominal pain and vomiting.

Tonsillitis also leaves the tonsils inflamed and can be caused by bacteria or a virus. It can share symptoms with strep throat, so it’s important to make an appointment with your Wellstar pediatrician, who can take a throat culture and determine the cause of the infection.

In children, a sore throat may also be the result of excessive coughing or yelling, low humidity, allergies, airborne chemicals or irritants, or exposure to cigarette smoke.

Symptoms

In general, you should call your Wellstar pediatrician if your infant, toddler or child:

Is younger than three months of age and has a fever.
Has a sore throat that does not go away with the morning's first drink.
Has difficulty swallowing.
Has difficulty breathing.
Drools excessively (young children).
Has a temperature higher than 100.4°F (36°C).
Has pus on the back of the throat.
Has a rash.
Has blood in the saliva or phlegm.
Shows symptoms of dehydration (dry, sticky mouth, sleepiness, thirst, decreased urination, few or no tears when crying, muscle weakness, headache, dizziness or light-headedness).
Has had contact with someone who has been diagnosed with strep throat and is still exhibiting symptoms.
Has recurring sore throats.

Risk Factors

Your child is at a greater risk for sore throat under these conditions:

Excessive coughing or yelling.
Exposure to illness through babysitters, daycare workers, other caregivers, or other children.
Recent travel that could have exposed your child to possible illness.
Exposure to someone with strep throat who hasn’t been on an antibiotic for at least 24 hours.
Low humidity
Exposure to allergens, air pollution, or second-hand smoke.

Pediatric Sore Throat Prevention

Sore throat can be caused by viruses or bacteria that spread from other children or caregivers. Children may also suffer from a sore throat after exposure to second-hand smoke, polluted air, pet dander or other allergens.

Reduce Your Child’s Risk of Sore Throat

Avoid catching or passing the viruses and bacteria that cause sore throat:

Wash hands regularly
Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing
If your child has a bacterial infection, keep them out of daycare and away from other children until they have been on an antibiotic and fever-free for at least 24 hours.

Tests and Screenings

Examination of throat, tonsils and glands
Rapid strep test
Throat culture

Pediatric Sore Throat Diagnosis

Your Wellstar physician may perform screening evaluations looking for evidence of serious infection tied to the sore throat.

Tests

Diagnostic tests may include:

Rapid strep test (results in 15 minutes).
If rapid strep test is negative, your Wellstar pediatrician may take a throat culture (results in 48 hours) to confirm the rapid test's negative diagnosis.
Possibly a blood test to determine if mononucleosis is present.

Diagnostic Procedures

Performing rapid strep test.
Taking throat culture.
Taking blood test.
Feeling swollen glands.
Viewing swollen throat and tonsils.
Viewing reddened throat and tonsils.
Viewing white patches on the throat.

Pediatric Sore Throat Treatment

Your Wellstar pediatrician may prescribe antibiotics if laboratory tests determine that a bacterial infection has caused your child’s illness. If antibiotics are prescribed, ensure that your child takes the full course to help prevent a relapse and to avoid antibiotic resistance.

Treatment of a sore throat may include:

Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) to relieve pain.
Throat lozenges or hard candy.
Gargling with warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt per cup of water).
Flavored frozen desserts (e.g. Popsicles).
Use of a humidifier in your child’s room.
Lots of liquids to keep your child’s throat lubricated and prevent dehydration.

Need Urgent Care?

Wellstar’s five urgent care centers in Kennesaw, Marietta (two locations), Smyrna and Woodstock provide immediate care for people 2 years of age and older each day from 8 AM to 8 PM. The centers treat minor emergencies, illnesses and injuries as well as provide sports physicals, x-rays and flu shots.

Which Approach Is Right for You?

Your Wellstar pediatrician will help you weigh the benefits of each treatment approach and make a recommendation for the best outcome. You can feel confident your decision will be based on both your input and the expertise and recommendations of an experienced physician.

Ongoing Care for Pediatric Sore Throat

Wellstar offers long-standing, community-based pediatricians who are close to home and trained to:

Help you determine healthy lifestyles for your child and useful ways to role model your choices.
Offer advice to prevent illness and injuries.
Provide early and appropriate care of acute illness to prevent its progression.
Treat life-threatening childhood conditions requiring intensive care.
Guide you in anticipating your child’s needs from birth to adulthood.

Pediatric Emergency and Immediate Care Center

Certified nurses with pediatric advanced life support certification work with Wellstar’s board-certified emergency services physicians in the Pediatric EDs at Wellstar Cobb and Kennestone hospitals. The Pediatric Emergency Department at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital is open seven days a week, from 11 AM to 11 PM. The Pediatric ED at Wellstar Cobb Hospital is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.