Consumer Information

Pharyngitis In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Pharyngitis (fair-in-JI-tis) or "sore throat" is an infection (in-FECK-shun) of the pharynx (FAIR-inks). The pharynx is the area between the tonsils and the larynx (LAIR-inks). The larynx is also called the voice box. This whole area is called the throat. Pharyngitis is caused by a germ called a bacteria (bak-TEER-e-uh) or a virus. Your child's throat may look raw, red, and swollen. Your child may also have a fever, headache, upset stomach, earache, runny nose, or cough. Your child may have problems breathing, talking, eating, drinking, and sleeping because his throat is sore.
Your child's caregiver may do a throat culture to learn which type of germ is causing the sore throat. Antibiotic (an-ti-bi-AH-tik) medicine is needed if a germ called streptococcus (STREP-toe-kah-kus) or "strep" is causing your child's sore throat. No special treatment is needed if the sore throat is caused by a virus. Antibiotic medicine will not help a sore throat caused by a virus. Resting and drinking liquids will help your child's throat feel better. Your child should feel better in 1 to 5 days.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

Always give your child's medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your child's caregiver if you think your child's medicines are not helping. Call your child's caregiver if you feel your child is having side effects. Do not quit giving the medicines to your child until you discuss it with your child's caregiver.
Keep a written list of what medicines your child takes and when and why your child takes them. Bring the list of your child's medicines or the pill bottles when you visit your child's caregivers. Ask your child's caregiver for more information about the medicines. Do not give any medicines to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements.
If your child is taking antibiotics (an-ti-bi-AH-tiks), give them until they are all gone. Even if your child seems to feel better. Strep infections that are not treated with enough antibiotics may lead to heart problems after the sore throat is gone.
Ibuprofen (I-bew-PRO-fin) or acetaminophen (uh-c-tuh-min-o-fin) are over-the counter pain medicines that may help your child's fever and aches.
Never give aspirin to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. Giving aspirin to your child when he is ill may cause a very serious illness called Reye's syndrome. Read medicine labels to see if your child's medicine has aspirin in it.

Appointment:

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Comfort:

If your child is 8 years or older, have him gargle with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup warm water. Do not give your child hard candy or cough drops if he is less than 4 years old.
Place a cool mist humidifier in your child's room. This will add moisture to the air and help the tight, dry feeling in your child's throat. Read the humidifier or vaporizer box instructions carefully before using.
If your child's throat is very sore, he may not feel like eating or drinking very much. Give your child soft foods like popsicles, frozen fruit pops, jello, or warm soups. These foods may feel good going down your child's throat while it is very sore. Give your child 6 to 8 glasses (soda-pop can size) of liquid every day. Good liquids to drink are water or fruit juices.
Your child needs rest. Your child should also try to rest his voice by not talking or singing very much.
Do not smoke around your child. Breathing smoke may cause your child's throat to become more dry and painful. Keep other smokers out of the house and away from your child.
Get a new toothbrush for your child. The germs that caused the sore throat may be living on your child's old toothbrush. If your child is on antibiotics, give him a new toothbrush after he has been on his medicine for 24 hours.

Prevent the spread: Your child should not share food or drinks with anyone until he has finished his antibiotic medicine or his sore throat is gone. Wash your hands and your child's hands often.

School/Daycare: Your child may return to school or daycare after taking antibiotics for at least 24 hours. Also, your child may return to school after his fever is gone and he does not feel sick anymore.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

Your child has a fever (increased body temperature).
Your child is not much better after 3 days. Also if your child's sore throat comes back after he has finished his antibiotics.
Your child's skin is itchy, swollen, or he gets a skin rash. Your child may be allergic (uh-LER-jik) to his medicine.
Your child has large, tender lumps in his neck.
Your child gets a bad cough or earache.
Your child has whitish-yellow patches or blisters on the back of his throat or tonsils.
Your child coughs-up green, yellow-brown, or bloody sputum (spit).
Your child is vomiting (throwing up).
You cannot get your child to drink any liquids. Your child may become dehydrated (dry) from not getting enough fluids. Your child may be dehydrated if one or more of the following happen:
- Your child has not urinated in 8 hours.
- The soft spot on the top of his head is sunken (in babies).
- There are no tears when he cries.
- Your child's lips are cracked and dry.
Your child is more fussy and sleepy.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

Your child has trouble breathing or is drooling because he cannot swallow. Call 911 or "0" for the operator. This is an emergency.
Your child has very bad throat pain or headaches, a stiff or painful neck, or voice changes.
You are having a hard time waking up your child.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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