First Aid: Sore Throat

Sore throats are common at any age and can be one of the first signs of another illness, like a cold, the flu, or mononucleosis (mono). They also can be caused by a strep throat infection, although this is rare in children younger than 2 years old.

Signs and Symptoms

• painful throat
• fever
• swollen glands in the neck
• bad breath
• scratchiness in the throat
• redness in the back of the mouth

What to Do

Here are some ways kids can relieve sore throat pain:

• sip warm liquids
• eat cold or frozen liquids (such as ice pops)
• gargle with saltwater
• suck on hard candy or throat lozenges (for kids age 4 or older)
• take ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed

Get Medical Care if Your Child:

• has trouble swallowing
• isn't drinking liquids
• is drooling (in a young child)
• feels very tired
• has pus in the back of the throat
• has a sore throat that lasts longer than a few days

Think Prevention!

As with most common illnesses, preventing a sore throat starts with regular hand washing. Kids also can avoid sore throats by:

• not sharing food utensils and glasses with others
• avoiding contact with people who have sore throats or cold symptoms