Sore Throat
Lots of children get sore throats and often this is with a high temperature. It is usually due to a viral infection. Your child may also have a runny nose, cough, and earache.
Viral infections spread very quickly and often affect other people in your house.
Viruses get better on their own and do not need treatment with antibiotics.
Antibiotics may cause side effects such as rash and diarrhoea. The more antibiotics we use the more chance of antibiotic resistance.
Older children (aged 5 to 15 years) can have tonsillitis caused by a bacteria, called ‘streptococcus’. They may have a high temperature, pus on their tonsils, and NO cough. They may need to see a healthcare professional and need antibiotics.
Please see Red-Amber-Green tables for advice on when and where to seek care for your child.
Thanks to Dr. Oliver van Hecke for permission to use this infographic. They were developed as part of a study funded by a National Institute for Health and Care Research School for Primary Care Research grant (reference number: 439)
Thanks to Dr. Oliver van Hecke for permission to use this infographic. They were developed as part of a study funded by a National Institute for Health and Care Research School for Primary Care Research grant (reference number: 439)
Thanks to Dr. Oliver van Hecke for permission to use this infographic. They were developed as part of a study funded by a National Institute for Health and Care Research School for Primary Care Research grant (reference number: 439)
The diagrams above are taken from www.whenshouldiworry.com
Thanks to Dr. Oliver van Hecke for permission to use this infographic. They were developed as part of a study funded by a National Institute for Health and Care Research School for Primary Care Research grant (reference number: 439)
When should you worry?
If your child has any of the following:
- Is unable to swallow their own saliva
- Breathing very fast, too breathless to talk, eat or drink
- Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the ribs, or noisy breathing (grunting)
- Breathing that stops or pauses
- Is pale, blue, mottled or feels unusually cold to touch
- Difficult to wake up, very sleepy or confused
- Weak, high-pitched cry or can’t be settled
- Has a fit (seizure)
- Has a rash that does not go away with pressure (the glass test)
- Is under 3 months old with temperature more than 38°C or under 36°C (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red features)
If your child has any of the following:
- Is having difficulty opening their mouth
- Breathing a bit faster than normal or working a bit harder to breathe
- Dry skin, lips or tongue
- Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 8 hours
- Poor feeding in babies (less than half of their usual amount)
- Irritable (Unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or hugs even after their fever has come down)
- Is 3 to 6 months old with temperature 39°C or above (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red or amber features)
- Temperature of 38°C or above for more than 5 days or shivering with fever (rigors)
- Temperature less than 36°C in those over 3 months
- Getting worse and I am still worried
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.
Please contact your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111.
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.
If none of the above features are present
- Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms
- If your child has any other symptoms associated with their fever, you may want to look at the information on sore throat, cough, earache, diarrhoea and vomiting or tummy ache or our other pathways
- Additional advice is also available to young families for coping with crying of well babies
- If your child has a long term condition or disability and you are worried please contact your regular team or follow any plans that they have given you.
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, speak to your health visitor, local pharmacist or call NHS 111– dial 111.
Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home. They can go back to school, college or childcare when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend.
Self care and Prevention
How do I look after my child with a sore throat?
- Help them to rest.
- Drink cool drinks to soothe the throat.
- Give them paracetamol or ibuprofen to help pain.
- You can buy a throat spray or lozenges from your local community pharmacist which may help with pain.
Most children with sore throat do not need antibiotics. Antibiotics often don't speed up recovery and can cause side effects such as rashes and diarrhoea. Taking antibiotics when you don't need them can increase the risk of antibiotic resistance to bacteria in your child (bacteria that can't be killed by antibiotics).
How can I stop my child catching sore throats?
It is not always easy to stop children catching viral infections. Doing these things can help stop them spreading.
- wash your hands regularly
- use a tissue when coughing or sneezing and put it in the bin
- avoid sharing things like drinks or dummies
- wear a mask if you are coughing
How long will your child’s symptoms last?
After a week, more than three quarters of those with earache will be better whether they take antibiotics or not. Most (14 out of 15) who take antibiotics will get better just as quickly as if they hadn’t taken them.
Where should you seek help?
If it is non-urgent, speak to your local pharmacist or health visitor.
If your child has any of the above features in amber, urgently see your GP. For an urgent out-of-hours GP appointment, call NHS 111.
You should only call 999 or go your nearest A&E department in critical or life threatening situations or if your child is showing any of the signs in the red section above.
Video Showcase
