Sore Throat:It is the feeling of pain, burning, or dryness in the throat, which causes difficulty in swallowing, and it is one of the most common symptoms in children. Most sore throats disappear without medical intervention, and in some cases, tests must be performed to see if the child needs antibiotics or not.
Reasons for Sore Throat:
Most sore throats are caused by viruses (such as those that cause a cold or the flu) and do not need to be treated with antibiotics. Some are caused by bacteria (such as streptococcus bacteria). Other common causes include:
- Allergies (allergic rhinitis).
- Breathing dry and cool air.
- Pollution (airborne chemicals or irritants).
- Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke.
Risk factors:
- Age: children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 15 are most likely to develop a sore throat.
- Exposure to a person with a sore throat.
- Some seasons of the year, such as winter and early spring.
- Cold air can irritate the throat.
- Tonsils are large or irregularly shaped.
- Pollution or exposure to smoke.
- Weakened immune system.
- Nasal allergy.
Symptoms:
If the sore throat is caused by a viral infection or allergy, then the symptoms associated with a sore throat are:
- sneeze.
- cough.
- Watery eyes.
- Mild headache or body aches.
- Runny nose.
- Low body temperature less than 38°C.
If the sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection, the symptoms are:
- Redness and swelling of the tonsils, sometimes with white spots or pus (pus).
- High body temperature of 38°C or more.
- nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
- Severe headache or body aches
- rash.
When to see a doctor:
- Sore throat that lasts more than a week.
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- Excessive drooling (young children).
- High body temperature.
- Suppuration in the back of the throat (appearance of pus).
- Skin rash or joint pain.
- A change in the child's voice (appearance of hoarseness) that lasts longer than two weeks.
- Appearance of blood in sputum or saliva.
- Symptoms of dehydration appeared, including (dry mouth, drowsiness, feeling tired or thirsty, decreased urination, lack of wet diapers, crying, muscle weakness, headache, dizziness, or lightheadedness).
- Frequent sore throat.
- If the baby is less than three months old and has a high body temperature, it is always important to see a doctor immediately.
Treatment:
- Antibiotics are not needed for most sore throats, which usually get better on their own within 1-2 weeks. Antibiotics will not help if the sore throat is caused by a virus or irritation from the air. Treatment in these cases can be harmful to children and adults alike.
- Antibiotics are prescribed if the child has a bacterial sore throat caused by streptococcal bacteria to prevent rheumatic fever. The child must stay at home for a day after starting the antibiotic, taking care to drink warm fluids.
Protection:
- Teaching the child good hygiene (eg: washing hands, using tissues while sneezing and coughing, etc.).
- Avoid close contact with people who have sore throats, colds, or other upper respiratory infections.
- Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Avoid exposure of the child to cold air currents in winter and early spring.
- Treating allergic rhinitis for children with it and taking preventive treatment for it (such as: nasal sprays, etc.).