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KidsCare Online

Sore Throat

Reassurance: Most sore throats are just part of a cold. The presence of a cough, hoarseness or nasal symptoms points to a cold as the cause of your child's sore throat.
Local Pain Relief:
- Children over age 1 can sip warm chicken broth or apple juice.
- Children over age 4 can suck on hard candy (e.g., butterscotch) or lollipops.
- Children over age 6 can also gargle warm water with a little table salt or liquid antacid added.
Pain Medicine:
- Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for severe throat discomfort or
  fever > 102°F (39° C).
- See dosage chart.
- Ask your pharmacist to recommend a pediatric brand containing either of these ingredients.
Soft Diet: Cold drinks and milk shakes are especially good. (Reason: swollen tonsils can make some foods hard to swallow.)
Contagiousness: Your child can return to day care or school after the fever is gone and your child feels well enough to participate in normal activities. Children with strep throat also need to be taking an oral antibiotic for 24 hours before they can return.
Expected Course: Sore throats with viral illnesses usually last 4 or 5 days.
IF your child becomes worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.