Sore throat

Sore throats are extremely common, and are often associated with a high temperature.

  • In young children, sore throats are most commonly caused by viral infections – if this is the case, your child is likely to also have a runny nose, cough or earache. However, there are currently high circulating rates of a bacteria called Strep A - if your child is unwell with a fever, severe sore throat, pus on their tonsils (at the back of their throat) and hasn't got viral symptoms such as a runny nose, they may need treatment with antibiotics. If they also have a red tongue, swollen/painful glands in their neck and a sandpaper rash, they may have scarlet fever - in this case, please arrange for them to be seen by a healthcare professional as they are likely to need treatment with antibiotics.
  • If a number of people are unwell in the same household, this also suggests a viral infection (because viral infections spread more easily than bacterial infections).
  • Viral infections tend to get better on their own and do not need treatment with antibiotics. Antibiotics may actually cause side effects such as rash and diarrhoea and can increase the risk of them developing antibiotic resistance

When should you worry?

If your child has any of the following:

  • Has blue lips
  • Is pale, mottled and feels abnormally cold to touch
  • Has a fit / seizure
  • Is extremely agitated (crying inconsolably despite distraction), confused or very lethargic (difficult to wake)
  • Has a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the ‘Glass Test’)
  • Is having breathing problems, such as rapid breathing, shortness of breath or laboured breathing (drawing in of muscles below the lower ribs when they breath in)

You need urgent help.

Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999.

If your child has any of the following:

  • Is unable to swallow their own saliva
  • Is having difficulty opening their mouth
  • Seems dehydrated (sunken eyes, drowsy or not passed urine for 12 hours)
  • Is drowsy (excessively sleepy) or irritable (unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or picking up) – especially if they remain drowsy or irritable despite their fever coming down
  • Has extreme shivering or complains of muscle pain
  • Is 3-6 months of age with a temperature of 39°C / 102.2°F or above (but fever is common in babies up to 2 days after they receive vaccinations)
  • Continues to have a fever of 38.0°C or above for more than 5 days
  • Is getting worse or if you are worried

You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.

Please ring your GP surgery or contact NHS 111 - dial 111 or for children aged 5 years and above visit 111.nhs.uk

Addition information is available about infant crying and how to cope – click here

Self care.

Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, speak to your health visitor, local pharmacist or call NHS 111 – dial 111 or for children aged 5 years and above visit 111.nhs.uk

 

What should you do?

  • To make your child more comfortable, you may want to give them paracetamol (calpol) and/or ibuprofen. This not only helps with fever but also reduces pain.
  • Most children with coughs/colds do not require treatment with antibiotics. Antibiotics rarely speed up recovery and often cause side effects such as rash and diarrhoea. They will also promote the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria in your child.
  • If your child has a fever for more than 3 days and doesn't seem to be getting any better, you should take them to see your GP.

 

How long will the symptoms last?

  • The chart below shows how long sore throats take to get better in children. The faces represent 10 children who have seen their GP with a sore throat. Green faces are those children whose sore throat has got better within that time period.

  • After a week, more than three-quarters of those with a sore throat will be better whether they take antibiotics or not. Most (13 out of 14) who take antibiotics will get better just as quickly as if they hadn’t taken them.​​​​​​​

 

Prevention

It is not always easy to avoid catching these infections. However, good hygiene practices can prevent infections spreading.

  • Wash your hands regularly
  • Use a tissue when coughing or sneezing and put it in the bin
  • Avoid sharing glasses or utensils with people who are unwell
  • Good dental hygiene - brush your child's teeth twice daily, change toothbrush regularly and aviod sharing toothbrushes