When your child has a sore throat, the area typically feels irritated, scratchy or swollen. The most common cause of this condition is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. If your child’s symptoms are caused by a virus, they’ll resolve on their own and can be treated at home, but sometimes, a sore throat can be indicative of a condition like a bacterial infection that requires treatment from a medical professional.
If your child has a sore throat that doesn’t seem to get better, our team at ENT for Children will provide treatment that will help get your child back to full health.
What Causes a Sore Throat?
- Viral infections from the flu or common cold
- Bacterial infections such as strep throat, tonsillitis, whooping cough and diphtheria
- Allergies
- Acid reflux
- Strained vocal cords
- Environmental irritants
How Does an ENT Treat a Sore Throat?
Our provider will work collaboratively with you to help ease your child’s symptoms and determine what’s causing them. Along with taking a medical history, they’ll conduct a physical exam that might include looking at your child’s throat, ears and nasal passages, feeling your child’s neck and listening to your child’s breathing.
If your child’s throat is sore for longer than a week, your child’s symptoms might be caused by a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics. One such infection is strep throat, which leads to a sore and scratchy throat along with difficulty swallowing. If your child has pain in their throat that came on quickly, it might be the result of strep throat.
Frequent sore throats could be a sign of reoccurring tonsil infections, which may require a procedure called a tonsillectomy.
No matter what’s causing your child’s symptoms, our team will be here to support your child and provide treatment.
How Can My Child Soothe a Sore Throat at Home?
- Drink fluids, but avoid caffeine and alcohol
- Gargle with saltwater
- Sleep and rest their voice
- Use lozenges or hard candy
- Over-the-counter pain medications
When Should I Seek Medical Attention?
If your child’s sore throat does not get better after the first day, particularly after drinking water, you should take them to a doctor. Seek immediate care if your child has difficulty breathing or swallowing, and keep an eye out for unusual drooling, which may be a sign that they’re having trouble swallowing.
- Difficulty breathing, swallowing or opening your child’s mouth
- A fever higher than 101F
- Swelling in your child’s neck or face
- A lump in your child’s neck
- Joint pain
- Earache
- Rash
What Are the Next Steps?
If you child has a severe reoccurring sore throat get in touch with our office. Sore throats don’t have to be a constant factor in your child’s life.
Call ENT for Children for more information or to schedule an appointment.