Sore Throat
If my child has a sore throat, will they need antibiotics?
Pharyngitis,
commonly known as a sore throat, is one of the leading causes for children’s
visits to pediatrician. The cause of a
sore throat is most commonly due to a virus. This virus is oftentimes the same as those that
cause a common cold and will show
with typical cold symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose) along with a sore throat.
While most cases
of sore throats are caused by viruses and are self-limited, meaning that they
will heal on their own with the body’s natural defenses. There are also cases of sore throat caused by
bacteria which can be treated with antibiotics.
A commonly
known term, strep throat, is an infection in the back of mouth/tonsils caused
by the bacteria Group A Streptococcus. This type of throat infection has the
potential, albeit rare, for serious complications affecting the heart, kidneys,
brain, or joints. The risks for serious side effects can be significantly
reduced with the use of antibiotics.
· Antibiotics should only be prescribed to
confirmed cases of strep throat or in cases of highly suspected bacterial cause
for the pharyngitis.
Symptoms of
sore throat can include:
·
Enlarged tonsils
·
Headache
·
Vomiting/Abdominal Pain
·
Fever
·
Redness in back of mouth
·
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
·
Rash
Who
gets strep throat?
Sore throats
caused by Group A Streptococcus
bacteria are most common between ages 5-15 years of age. Fortunately, strep throat is uncommon before
3 years old and the complications of strep throat are very rare in children
under 2-3 years old.
How
is strep throat diagnosed?
Strep throat
needs to be diagnosed based on history and doctor’s exam findings, often along
with laboratory tests. These tests
typically include a swab of the tonsils/back of the throat for streptococcus bacteria. One test, often referred to as a “rapid
strep” test, can produce results in only a few minutes. This aids in diagnosing an infection that
requires antibiotics.
· The American Academy of
Pediatrics & IDSA state
that testing is not routinely recommended for children less than 3 years old,
due to low incidence of strep throat & rarity of complications.
o
Certain children under 3 years old with symptoms
of sore throat should be tested for strep throat, such as those with a sibling who
have a confirmed case of strep throat.
How
is sore throat treated?
Confirmed
cases of sore throat caused by Group A
Streptococcus bacteria should be treated with antibiotics, typically
penicillin or amoxicillin.
· The amount of the medication will be determined
based on your child’s weight and it is imperative for them to complete the full
course of treatment prescribed unless otherwise instructed by your
pediatrician.
Viral causes
of sore throats unfortunately cannot be killed by antibiotics or other
medications and will improve with the natural defenses of the body.
· Treatments aimed at improving the symptoms of
sore throat can be used to help make a child more comfortable, such as an
anti-fever medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen. Other over-the-counter throat pain relief
products, such as throat sprays and lozenges, also exist and can aid in relieving
the symptoms of a sore throat.
·
One treatment which was likely recommended by
your mother or grandmother is gargling with warm salt water.
o
If a child is able to gargle, this treatment
does help to provide some relief as well as helping to eliminate the infectious
agent.
o
Tea with honey & lemon and chicken soup (Yes,
your grandmother was right again!) also can help to provide relief to a sore
throat.
Prior to starting any treatment, even if it is over-the-counter, discuss it with your pediatrician.
For more information on pharyngitis, please
consult with your pediatrician.
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