Sore Throat

Children are very often confronted with sore throat. Sore throat is usually accompanied by sneezing, runny nose and coughing. Sore throat also involves throat inflammation, swelling, discomfort and pain. The cause of sore throat is infection with viruses and even without treatment, the illness disappears in a matter of days. Sore throat usually involves inflammation of the tonsils and pharynges and it is also referred to as tonsillo-pharyngitis. Common symptoms of sore throat in children are: painful, irritated throat, tonsil inflammation and swelling (sometimes the tonsils may be covered in pus), swelling and tenderness of the lymph glands, fatigue, headache, stomachache, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever. In some cases, rashes can occur in certain areas of the body.

The viruses responsible for causing sore throat are very contagious. Especially in the flu seasons, it is very difficult to prevent sore throat from occurring. Good personal hygiene can decrease the chances of contracting the viruses that cause sore throat, but can't fully prevent the development of the infection. The viruses responsible for causing sore throat can be transmitted by air, secretions or direct contact.

It is important to be able to distinguish between sore throat and strep throat. While sore throat can clear up by itself in just a few days, strep throat is more persistent and it requires treatment with antibiotics. Parents often panic when their children become sick. Sore throat is in many cases no reason for panic. No medication is required in overcoming sore throat, its symptoms simply disappearing after a few days. If you suspect that your child may be suffering from strep throat, you should check for fever, intense pain and increased sensitivity in the regions around the neck and ears. However, if the symptoms of the illness are mild and their intensity doesn't seem to be progressing, there is no reason to be concerned about.

Despite the fact that sore throat is usually not a serious illness, it is best to pay a visit to a pediatrician anyway. The doctor will perform a simple test, in order to reveal the origin of the infection. If no presence of harmful bacteria is revealed, all the doctor may prescribe are analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. However, if the sore throat is actually caused by streptococcus bacteria, the doctor will prescribe an appropriate treatment with antibiotics.

A sore throat can be overcome very quickly by children's immune system. All that parents can do is to ensure that they get enough rest and that their fever is under control. You should make sure that your child drinks enough fluids and that he eats enough food. Loss of appetite is a common symptom of sore throat and it is important to convince the child to eat properly when he is ill. The food should be easy to swallow and non-irritating. Convince your child to eat more warm soup, mashed potatoes, yogurt and soft fruits. Fever may lead to dehydration and therefore make sure that your child drinks enough fluids. Pay attention to your child's needs and try to relief the discomfort of his illness. Just like many other ailments, sore throat in children can be easily overcome with the help of good parental care.