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- Asthma
- Bronchiolitis
- Chickenpox
- Colic
- Common Cold
- Constipation
- Cough
- Croup
- Diaper Rash
- Diarrhea
- Ear Infections
- Eye Infections
- Fever in Children
- Fifth Disease
- Fluoride
- Head Injuries
- Head Lice
- Immunizations
- Lead Poisonings
- Lyme Disease
- Nosebleeds
- Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac
- Poisonings
- Scabies
- Sensitive Skin or Eczema
- Sore Throat/Strep Throat
- Thrush
- Vomiting
Caring for Children: Sore Throat/Strep Throat
Most sore throats accompany a cold or flu and are caused by viruses. A sore throat usually lasts only two to four days and goes away on its own. Children younger than two years often do not complain of a sore throat, but may simply refuse previously enjoyed foods. To make your child more comfortable, older children may gargle with warm salt water (one teaspoon salt per glass). Children over four years may suck on hard candy. Tylenol can be given for pain or fever.
Another type of sore throat occurs in children who sleep with their mouths open. During the night the mouth dries out and the child wakes in the morning with a sore throat. If the sore throat clears within a few hours after having something to drink, you need not worry about it - using a humidifier at night should help.
Strep throat is a throat infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. If left untreated, it can lead to more serious problems such as rheumatic fever - a disease causing inflammation of the joints, heart, and other tissues. Strep bacteria are spread by infected droplets from the nose or throat, either through the air with coughing or sneezing or by direct contact. Illness may begin from 12 hours to five days after exposure.
Strep throat may cause a sore throat that is mild or very painful. Children may also have fever, head ache, stomachache, swollen glands in the neck, or ear pain. Usually tonsils are swollen and red and may have patches of pus on the surface. The roof of the mouth may have small red spots. A distinctive bad breath odor is common. When strep throat is accompanied by a red rash and fever, it is called scarlet fever.
When strep throat is treated with antibiotics, discomfort lasts one to three days. The rash of scarlet fever fades after several days, but is often followed by flaking or peeling of the skin, especially around the fingertips, one to three weeks later.
If you think your child has strep throat, schedule an office visit. A throat swab may be obtained to test for strep. The treatment for strep throat is an antibiotic, usually penicillin. The medicine must be taken for the full prescribed amount of time. Once your child is feeling better, it is easy to forget the medication, but failure to complete the course may result in a return of the infection.
Children with strep throat are contagious for 24 hours after starting the antibiotic. They may return to school or daycare in 24 hours if they are feeling well enough and have no fever.
