Sore throat (strep throat)

What is sore throat?

Having a sore throat means there is a pain in the back of the mouth.

The throat contains the pharynx, which connects the back of the nose, mouth and swallowing tube (esophagus). The tonsils, which are round lymph glands on either side of the back of the throat, can also cause pain back there.

Sore throat pain may be caused by swelling and inflammation of the mucus membranes in any part of the throat.

When the pharynx is inflamed, it is called pharyngitis.

When the tonsils are inflamed, it is called tonsillitis.

Sometimes a sore throat is referred to as “pharyngotonsillitis,” when both areas are inflamed.

In children most sore throats are caused by a viral infection that often causes cold symptoms in addition to sore throat. Viruses that cause the common cold are often the ones that cause sore throats; Coxsackie virus, mononucleosis and influenza can also cause sore throat symptoms.

Sometimes a sore throat may be caused by a bacterial infection. The most common bacteria involved is Streptococcus pyogenes, also called Group A streptococcus, or Group A strep for short.

When a sore throat is caused by an infection, it can be easily passed from person to person by direct contact with oral/nasal secretions.

Treatment / What you should do

If your child has a sore throat, and possibly a cold without fever, but is generally otherwise feeling fine, that is probably due to a viral infection.

You can then see how things unfold over 2-3 days and touch base with the doctor as needed.

Antibiotics cannot treat viral infections.

You can relieve your child’s pain by allowing him to stay in bed and giving the child plenty of fluids, pain relievers and fever-reducing medication in the form of acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

For some children, eating a popsicle or other cold, smooth foods appear to relieve the difficulty of swallowing and can help prevent dehydration.

For other children, warm drinks and salt water gargles have a soothing effect.

Throat lozenges and sprays in older children can also help some with a sore throat.

If your child has a fever in combination with a sore throat and kind of looks sick, you should consult your doctor right away, as your child may have contracted a bacterial infection.

The physician may swab your child’s throat to test for the presence of Group A streptococcus. If the test is positive, your child needs to take a course of antibiotics, usually penicillin.

Make sure you administer antibiotics according to the doctor’s directions. It is important to complete the fully prescribed course to remove the streptococcal bacteria from the pharynx or tonsils.

If you suspect that your child may have tonsillitis, you should always consult your doctor.

Don’t forget to consult with your physician if you think your child has a complication of the sore throat, such as signs of pneumonia or ear infection, or if they are having difficulty swallowing or drinking.

Contact your doctor again if your child’s condition has not improved after taking about 2-3 days of antibiotics.