SORE THROAT
Sore throat is a common complaint of both children and adults. Often people may have a fever,
headache, or even stomach ache along with a sore throat. Babies seldom have a sore throat, but
as they get older, about four or five years old, children have them more often. Removing the
tonsils will not keep the child from having a sore throat.
What Causes A Sore Throat?
- Sleeping in a dry room - This may cause a dry scratchy throat that usually gets better about
thirty minutes after you wake up. Using a humidifier in the room may help prevent this.
- Viruses - This is a common cause of sore throat. You may have a fever and/or symptoms of
a cold along with a sore throat. These symptoms may last for several days. Antibiotics will not
make a viral sore throat better.
Older children and teenagers sometimes develop a sore throat caused by a virus known as
infectious mononucleosis or mono. This type of sore throat is often more painful and lasts over a
week. a person who has mono will also feel very weak and tired.
- Bacteria - Another cause of sore throat is streptococcal bacteria. This is called strep throat.
Along with a sore throat, a person may have fever, swollen and tender lymph nodes (glands) in
the neck or a raised skin rash. The only way to tell a viral sore throat from a strep throat is to get
a throat culture at your doctor's office. Strep throat needs to be treated with penicillin or another
antibiotic.
What Is The Home Treatment For a Sore Throat?
- Salt water gargles, warm milk, or hot tea with honey are often used to relieve the pain of a
sore throat.
- Lozenges, sprays, or gargles from the drug store may also often help relieve the pain.
- Either a vaporizer or a humidifier keeps the throat moist.
- Aspirin or Tylenol® will decrease the pain. (Do not give aspirin
to babies, children, or teenagers unless recommended by your doctor.)
- Drinking fluids is important. Ice cream, popsicles, Jell-O or kool aid are often easier to
swallow.
What Can Happen If a Sore Throat Isn't Properly Treated?
- An Abscess - If you or your child tends to drool a lot, or have trouble breathing, swallowing
or opening the mouth, an abscess may be the cause. You should contact your doctor right
away.
- Rheumatic Fever - Rheumatic fever is an illness that a person can get if he or she has strep
throat. (It can be prevented by taking all the antibiotic that the doctor prescribes for strep throat.)
Rheumatic fever can cause arthritis, skin rashes, and heart damage. Fortunately, rheumatic fever
is very uncommon at this time.
When Should You Call Your Doctor?
Call your doctor right away if you or your child has a sore throat and:
- drooling.
- trouble swallowing, breathing or opening the mouth..
- a temperature greater than 102° F in a young child..
Make an appointment if:
- there is a rash with the sore throat..
- your sore throat is more than just a dry scratchy feeling at bedtime or in the morning. You
may need a throat culture..
- you have a very painful or long lasting sore throat (longer than one week), even if your
throat culture was negative earlier..
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