Sore throat

StorkLine is a free 24-hour hotline answered by Baptist Health Paducah nurses at (270) 575-BABY. Here is a common question.

SORE THROATS

Question: My child is complaining of a sore throat. How should I treat it?  

Answer: One of the hallmark symptoms of the flu is a sudden onset of sore throat. Treat the symptoms, but call the child’s physician as soon as possible. An antiviral medication may reduce the severity of flu symptoms and reduce the length of the illness.

Another cause may be strep throat, often marked by white patches on the throat and red spots on the tongue or in the roof of the mouth. These symptoms warrant a call to the doctor within 24 hours. An infection with strep always requires an antibiotic.

If the throat gets dry, the pain is worse. Keep a drink close to the bedside. It is OK if your child does not want to eat, but keep him drinking or offer ice cream, popsicles and Jello for hydration. A cool mist humidifier/vaporizer will add moisture to the air that our furnaces remove. 

If your child has a fever, always call your doctor or Baptist Health line for the correct dosage of medicine based on your child’s weight. Children grow rapidly so it is easy to under-dose. Do not give over-the-counter cough and cold medication without speaking to your doctor.