Sore throat in children is one of the common problems and frequent complaints of children, and the diagnosis of the cause varies depending on the symptoms accompanying it. What are its causes, what are the different treatment methods at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital, and how to prevent it? This is what we will shed light on in this article, so follow along with us.  

What is sore throat in children?

It is the child's feeling of pain or burning in his throat, especially when swallowing, as a result of sore throat or irritation. There are many causes of sore throat in children, especially at young ages, as the child is more susceptible to recurring infections, whether bacterial or viral. 

 Causes of sore throat in children 

There are many causes of sore throat in children, and the most important causes include the following:

1- Viral infection

The most important and prominent causes of sore throat in children are:

• Cold and influenza are the main and most common cause in children. 
• Viral laryngitis (croup). A sore throat is accompanied by a barking cough and a change in the tone of the voice. 
• Coxsackie virus, which causes ulcers in the mouth and throat.

2- Allergy

It is also one of the causes of sore throat in children, and the most prominent causes are:

• Allergic rhinitis, where the child suffers from a runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat.
• Spring allergy: The child feels pain in the throat due to exposure to pollen, as well as redness in the eyes.
• Allergy to animal dander, the child suffers from sore throat when exposed to pets. 

3- Environmental causes 

• Exposure to dry air dries and irritates the throat.
• Child exposure to cigarette smoke: It irritates the throat and causes inflammation.
• Polluted air, containing irritating substances that cause sore throat. 
• Child inhaling chemicals.

Other causes of sore throat in children, here are the most prominent:

• Gastroesophageal reflux, due to stomach acids rising to the throat and leading to irritation.
• Sinusitis: Nasal secretions running down the throat cause irritation of the throat.
• Nasal congestion and mouth breathing lead to dryness and inflammation of the throat.
• Screaming or singing loudly, leads to irritation in the throat. 

You can also read What are the ways to treat a strong cough in children?

Symptoms of sore throat in children

Symptoms of sore throat in children vary depending on the cause. Sore throat is accompanied by many other symptoms, including the following:

1- General symptoms

• Such as throat pain that increases when swallowing, leading to difficulty swallowing. 
• السعال. 
• Appearance of hoarseness.
•  الصداع. 
• Anorexia.

2- Characteristic symptoms  in the case of viral sore throat, such as:

• Runny nose, sneezing. 
• Watery eyes. 
• A slight increase in the child's temperature.

3- Characteristic symptoms of sore throat in children: Allergic condition:

•  Frequent sneezing
• Watery eyes and itchy eyes. 
•  Nasal redness. 

​Risk factors for sore throat in children

There are several risk factors that increase the likelihood of sore throat infection in children, including the following:

• The age of the child, as children between the ages of 3 and 15 years are more susceptible to sore throat, especially bacterial.
• Exposure to infection: Being in crowded places such as schools and nurseries increases the chances of exposure to the viral or bacterial infection that causes sore throat. 
• Direct contact with another child who has a sore throat increases the risk of infection.
• Weakened immune system of the child.
• Exposure to irritants, such as polluted air, cigarette smoke, dust, and chemicals.
• Inhaling dry air. 
• Exposure to allergens, such as dust, pollen, and animal dander.

When should you see a doctor if sore throat appears in children?

You should visit a doctor if sore throat appears in children if it is accompanied by one of these symptoms, as you can حجز استشارتك الآن في مركز طب الاطفال At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital:

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
• Ear pain.  
• High fever over 38°C.
• Severe swelling of the lymph nodes.
• Severe throat pain that persists for more than a few days.
• White spots appear on the tonsils.
• The appearance of a skin rash.
• Pale or bluish lip color. 
• Excessive drooling.
• Hoarseness lasting more than two weeks.

You can also learn about كيفية علاج الربو للأطفال بـ 3 طرق فعالة

 Treatment of sore throat in children

Treatment of sore throat in children depends on treating the main cause. The most prominent treatments include the following:

• Gargle with warm water and salt to relieve pain.
• Antihistamines, in cases of allergies to relieve symptoms.

You can also follow home methods to help speed up recovery from sore throat in children, for example:

• Complete rest to help the body fight infection.
• Drink plenty of warm fluids, such as water, natural juices, and chicken soup, to avoid dehydration and relieve pain.
• Use an air humidifier in the child's room to relieve dry throat.
• Eat honey to relieve cough and soothe the throat.
• Avoid allergens as much as possible. 
• Avoid environmental irritants, such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, and irritating chemicals.
• Give the child soft, easy-to-swallow foods such as soup, yogurt, and mashed potatoes. 
• Avoid shouting or singing loudly. 

How to prevent sore throat in children 

Pediatricians at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital recommend following these guidelines to help your child reduce the risk of sore throat in children, which are as follows:

• Ensure personal hygiene, and wash hands regularly, especially before eating, after using the bathroom, and after playing outside the home.
• Teach your child to cover his mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a tissue or his elbow when coughing or sneezing.
• Teach your child to avoid direct contact with people with sore throats or colds to avoid infection.
• Teach your child not to share personal utensils such as cups, spoons, and towels with others.
• Avoid passive smoking for children. 
• Use an air humidifier in the child's room, especially in the winter.
• Reduce your child's exposure to environmental pollutants such as dust and smoke
• Breastfeeding strengthens the immune system in infants.
• Follow a healthy, well-rounded diet for your child that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Encourage the child to drink plenty of fluids: especially water, to keep the throat moist.
• Encourage your child to engage in regular physical activity.
• Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
• Make sure your child gets all recommended vaccinations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the quick treatment for perineal congestion?

Sore throat pain hinders the child’s daily activities, and to relieve it quickly, you can try some safe home remedies, while taking some medications that do not require a prescription, as follows:

• Gargle with salt water several times a day to relieve inflammation and disinfect the throat.
• Drink warm liquids, such as herbal tea, chicken soup, honey with lemon, and anise to soothe and moisturize the throat.
• Get enough rest to help the body recover faster.
• Lozenges contain antiseptic substances that help relieve pain and soothe the throat.
• Throat sprays contain an anti-inflammatory that helps relieve pain and swelling in the throat.
• Painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to relieve pain and fever if present.

But if the pain is severe and the child suffers from a fever or rash, a doctor should be consulted immediately. 

What is the appropriate antibiotic for throat congestion?

It should be noted that any antibiotic should not be taken without consulting a doctor and examination, and that there are many of the causes that we mentioned above, in addition to bacterial infection, which do not require intervention with an antibiotic. Antibiotics are required in the case of a bacterial infection, such as streptococcal tonsillitis, which the doctor diagnoses by examining a throat swab. 

Here are the most prominent antibiotics that a doctor may prescribe in the case of a bacterial infection:

• Penicillin.
• الأموكسيسيلين.
• Azithromycin.

How do I differentiate between viral and bacterial sore throat?

Both viral and bacterial sore throats cause pain, irritation and discomfort in the throat, and the most important main differences that help distinguish between them include the following:

• Symptoms:
• The symptoms of viral sore throat are similar to those of a cold: runny nose, coughing, sneezing, with a slight increase in body temperature, and redness of the throat. 
• While bacterial sore throat or nodular tonsillitis is characterized by severe pain in the throat, especially when swallowing, and a high fever of 38 degrees Celsius or higher, with redness and swelling of the tonsils, and white spots or pus may appear on them, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
• speed:
• Viral sore throat often develops gradually, while bacterial sore throat often appears suddenly.
• Viral sore throat usually improves within a few days to a week, while bacterial sore throat lasts longer if not treated with antibiotics.
  • Diagnosis:

• Doctors often diagnose viral sore throat based on symptoms, while bacterial sore throat is diagnosed through a throat swab test, where the doctor takes a sample from the throat for examination.
  • العلاج:

Viral sore throat may not require a course of antibiotics and treating the symptoms can be successful, while not curing the symptoms Strep throat Only after committing to a course of antibiotics. 

What is the difference between sore throat and tonsillitis?

Both sore throat and tonsillitis affect the throat area, but they differ in their location and symptoms. Here are some points to distinguish between them:

• Their similarities include that they both cause throat pain and difficulty swallowing, and can also be caused by a bacterial infection.

While the differences between them are:

•  First, in the location of the inflammation, as sore throat affects the back area of ​​the mouth, while tonsillitis affects the tonsils, that is, the lymph nodes on both sides of the mouth.
• Symptoms: Tonsillitis is often accompanied by more severe symptoms, such as high fever and white spots, i.e. pus, on the tonsils.

Neglecting to treat sore throat in children poses a great danger to the child because of its serious complications, such as epiglottitis, peritonsillar abscess, inflammation of the submandibular space, and rheumatic fever. 

If your child is suffering from a sore throat, you should hurry and visit the pediatric clinic at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital, where the clinic is supervised by an elite group of consultants specialized in pediatric medicine and surgery, who hold the highest academic degrees and have extensive experience in the subspecialties of pediatric medicine and surgery. 

You can contact us on our numbers listed on the website for more details, reservations and inquiries.

المصادر والمراجع:

When to worry about your child’s sore throat – Harvard Medical School
When is a Sore Throat a More Serious Infection – healthy children