Sore Throat in Children

A sore throat can be painful or upsetting for your child. As a caregiver, you will want to help your child feel better as soon as possible.

Knowing the cause of your child's sore throat helps you know the best way to treat it.

Should your child take antibiotics?

Sore throats can be caused by bacteria or viruses. A sore throat caused by bacteria, such as strep throat, can be treated with antibiotics.

If your child's sore throat is not caused by bacteria, antibiotics will not help your child get better. Giving antibiotics when they are not needed can also:

  • Cause some bacteria to become resistant to the antibiotics. This means antibiotics may not work as well if your child needs them later.
  • Cause side effects, such as a rash or diarrhea.
  • Cost a lot.

Talk to your doctor about getting tests to see what is causing your child's sore throat.

How to care for your child at home

A sore throat can be painful no matter what the cause. But home treatment may help your child feel better.

  • Have your child gargle with warm salt water several times a day to help reduce swelling and relieve pain. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water. Most children can gargle when they are 6 years old.

  • Have your child drink plenty of fluids. Drinks such as warm water, tea, soup, flavored ice treats, or ice cream may help to ease throat pain.
  • Put a cool-mist humidifier by your child's bed or close to your child. This may make it easier for your child to breathe. Follow the directions for cleaning the machine.
  • Keep your child away from smoke. Do not smoke or let anyone else smoke around your child or in your house. Smoke irritates the throat.

Giving medicines to your child

Always follow the directions on the label or package when giving medicines to your child. Give medicines exactly as your doctor says.

  • If the doctor prescribed antibiotics for your child, give them as directed. Do not stop using them just because your child feels better. Your child needs to take the full course of antibiotics.
  • Be careful with cough and cold medicines. Don't give them to children younger than 6, because they don't work for children that age and can even be harmful. For children 6 and older, always follow all the instructions carefully. Make sure you know how much medicine to give and how long to use it. And use the dosing device if one is included.
  • Giving your child medicines, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may help with pain. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.
  • If you are giving your child fever or pain medicine (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen), don't give your child a cold or flu medicine that contains the same ingredient. Your child could get too much medicine.
  • Try an over-the-counter anesthetic throat spray or throat lozenges, which may help relieve throat pain. Do not give lozenges to children younger than age 4. If your child is younger than age 2, ask your doctor if you can give your child numbing medicines.

When to call a doctor

Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:

  • Your child is confused or does not know where they are.
  • Your child is extremely sleepy or hard to wake up.

Call your doctor now or get medical care right away if:

  • Your child has a new or higher fever.
  • Your child has a fever with a stiff neck or a very bad headache.
  • Your child has any trouble breathing.
  • Your child cannot swallow or cannot drink enough because of throat pain.
  • Your child coughs up mucus that is bloody.

Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

  • Your child has any new symptoms, such as a rash, an earache, vomiting, or nausea.
  • Your child is not getting better as expected.