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Children are susceptible to infections and often fall ill due to their developing immune systems. One of the most common issues is throat pain, also known as a sore throat. A sore throat is scratchiness, pain, and irritation in the throat that worsens with swallowing. Streptococcus bacteria is the most common cause of sore throats in children and accounts for 13.4% of cases of acute pharyngitis. Often, a sore throat relieves on its own with time, but if it causes discomfort for your child, following some easy tips can be helpful. Let's explore the self-care tips for soothing your child's throat pain quickly and effectively.
Synopsis
Causes of Sore Throat in Children
Various causes of sore throats in children include:
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Viral Infections: Common cold viruses, influenza, measles, chickenpox, COVID-19, croup, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
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Bacterial Infections: Streptococcus bacteria (strep throat) and other bacterial pathogens
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Environmental Factors: Dry air, smoke, tobacco smoke, pollution, and exposure to chemicals
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Tonsilitis
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Allergies: Pollen, pet dander, dust mites, or mould
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Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Symptoms of a Sore Throat
Depending on the cause of the sore throat, its symptoms will vary and include:
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Pain or scratchiness in the throat
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Difficulty swallowing
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Swollen and red tonsils
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A hoarse or muffled voice
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Sore or swollen glands in your jaw or neck
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White patches or pus on the tonsils
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Coughing or squeezing (in the case of a viral infection)
If your child experiences fever, headache, nausea, and body aches along with any of the above symptoms, it's essential to consult our ENT doctors in Dhakuria for a proper evaluation and diagnosis. These could be the symptoms of streptococcal throat that require prompt diagnosis and treatment by an expert.
Treatment
A sore throat caused by viral infections usually lasts for 5-7 days and doesn't require any treatment. However, over-the-counter pain medications available can help ease throat pain in children. But make sure to follow only the dosage recommended by your doctor.
A sore throat caused by a bacterial infection often requires treatment, so it's important to seek expert advice from a paediatrician who will prescribe the necessary antibiotics for its treatment. Strep throat is typically treated with antibiotics to eradicate the bacterial infection and prevent potential complications.
Quick Tips for Soothing Your Child's Throat Pain
Regardless of the cause of your child’s sore throat, you can use these quick tips to ease your child’s throat pain and its associated symptoms.
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Taking Proper Rest: Ensure your child gets plenty of rest to support their immune system and aid in the recovery process. Make them stay at home till they get better to avoid spreading the infection to others.
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Keep Your Child Hydrated: Make your child drink plenty of fluids, such as warm water, warm broth, lemon with honey, or herbal teas, to prevent dehydration. This helps keep their throat moist, soothing its associated discomfort. Avoid carbonated drinks and caffeine.
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Provide Soft and Comforting Foods: Serve your child soft and easy-to-swallow foods like yoghurt, mashed potatoes, or scrambled eggs to minimise irritation to the throat. Also, you can offer warm liquids like soups for comfort.
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Using Humidifiers or Vaporisers: Using a cool-mist humidifier in your child's room can help ease throat dryness and irritation caused by dry air, as it adds moisture to the air. Making your child sit in a steam room or using a vaporiser can help ease their throat pain.
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Gargling with Salt Water: A saltwater gargle can help soothe a sore throat, but only older kids can use this.
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Avoiding Irritants and Allergens: Keeping your child away from allergens or irritants like smoking, second-hand smoke, or others can soothe their throat pain.
Conclusion
However, these quick self-care tips can help relieve the symptoms of throat pain in kids, but it's important to monitor your child's symptoms and seek appropriate medical care from an expert doctor for a speedy recovery. A severe sore throat in children can also be due to an underlying condition, so it's important to schedule an appointment with a paediatrician or ENT Hospital in Dhakuria, for personalised advice and appropriate treatment recommendations based on your child's specific needs. Check our blog page for the latest medical updates.
FAQ's
These factors make your child more susceptible to a sore throat. These are:
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Seasonal allergies or ongoing allergies
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Exposure to chemical irritants
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Exposure to tobacco smoke
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Chronic or frequent sinus infections
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Chronic Inflammation of the tonsils or adenoids
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Weak immunity
The doctor will thoroughly examine your child’s throat, ears, and nose to diagnose a sore throat. Throat swab to rule out streptococcal throat infection.
Sore throats are common among children, but they are mostly caused by viral infections. So, protecting your child from the common cold and flu can help prevent throat pain. Following these hygiene tips can help:
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Make your child wash their hands often, using soap or alcohol-based sanitisers.
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Getting them vaccinated against the flu.
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Avoid visiting people who are coughing or sneezing.
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If anybody is ill at home, avoid sharing utensils, food, and drink.
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Using a mask in public places.
If your child shows the following signs and symptoms, get immediate care from a doctor. These are:
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Difficulty breathing
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Difficulty swallowing
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Unusual drooling
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High fever
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Feels very tired
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Develops a hoarse voice
To schedule an appointment at Manipal Hospitals, contact our ENT Department or visit our website.
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