Overview
Sore throat is a common infectious disease which in most cases is not a disease itself but a Sign of other illness like flu, cold or mononucleosis. Sore throat may also be caused by strep throat but in most cases, it is rare in children.
In this article, we shall have a deep look upon the basics of
sore throat and strep throat in children.
Symptoms of Sore throat:
There are many types of sore throat, depending upon the severity and location
of infection. Some types of sore throats are resulting from bacterial
infection, whereas some may be due to viral infection. Therefore, symptoms may
vary. However, there are a few common signs which could be helpful for the
early diagnosis of sore throat which includes in most cases pain and scratchy
sensation in the throat and difficulty in swallowing. Sore throat may cause
fever in patients. But sore throat without fever may also be seen in the
patients.
Sore
throat in children with fever:
Sore throat is actually a sensation of pain in the throat of a person suffering
from such infections, mostly causing redness and swelling of the throat.
Although sore throat can happen in both children and adults, most commonly,
children are exposed to this infectious disease due to a poorly developed
immune system.
Sore
throat in children without fever:
Sometimes, there are certain cases in which the patient develops a sore throat
without fever. But in such conditions, diagnosing sore throat could be done by
looking towards other signs and symptoms. Some of them are listed below:
Swelling of tonsils is the basic sign which could be proven
to check sore throats. There also exist several cases in which white spots can
be seen on those swollen tonsils. These white tonsils may be filled with pus.
Tiny red spots are also seen on the roof of your mouth, the
condition known as "Petechiae". This could be a sign of sore throat.
Lymph nodes may also be swollen due to such infection. These
could be visible near neck regions.
What
is Strep throat?
Most of the people often confuse sore throat with strep throat because most of
the symptoms of these may be the same. However, strep throat may be referred to
by the infection that is caused by bacteria ' group A streptococcus'. Whereas,
sore throat may be bacterial or viral (about 90% of which is viral). The strep
throat may worsen after one or two days, but fortunately, it is easy to treat,
but if untreated, it may lead to serious complications.
The scientific name for strep throat is ' pharyngitis'. However, Group A Strep bacteria may also cause tonsillitis.
Strep
throat in toddlers under 2:
Strep throat can be occured at any time of the age, even at the babyhood.
However, it is most common in children ranging from 5 to 15 years of age
probably due to contact with many other children daily. It is difficult to
predict whether a toddler is suffering from strep throat or not. Moreover, a
runny nose or cough may also not be seen in the case of strep throat since
these problems are related to viral attack. Therefore, you must have some basic
knowledge of these problems related to strep throat.
The child may have his throat become bright red which could
easily be seen by using a light.
The child may also acquire Scarlet fever (red, sandpaper-like
rash)
Pain may also worsen during swallowing.
As a child of age 2 cannot complain about the pain,
therefore, it may start crying during feeding.
Home
remedies for strep throat:
Some remedies could be suggested to prevent or cure strep throat.
To relieve the pain, it is suggested to use painkillers such
as ibuprofen or naproxen. These may also help to lessen the inflammation.
Using apple cider vinegar as a dilute solution in water to
gargle is also seen as effective due to its antibacterial properties.
Using lozenges can alleviate the pain from strep throat.
Throat sprays may also provide short-term relief.
Relation
of Sore throat and COVID-19:
Sore throat is somehow related to Covid-19. According to research, about 5-10%
of people who are isolated may acquire a sore throat. But other symptoms such
as loss of taste and smell, difficulty in breathing, etc. could also be seen to
predict the possibility of Coronavirus infection.
Frequently
asked questions (FAQs):
Is
Strep throat related to season?
Strep throat is considered to be a symptom, but dry air, allergies or acid
reflux may cause strep throat.
Can
strep throat be cured on its own?
Yes, in most cases, it is seen that strep throat could be cured on its own in 7
to 10 days. However, if it does not cure on its own, you must consult an Ent
specialist.
Is
strep throat contagious?
Strep throat is caused by 'group A Streptococcus,' therefore, it is highly
contagious and can be spread easily through droplets when someone coughs or
sneezes.
Is
strep throat fatal?
Normally, strep throat can be treated easily, however in some cases, if left untreated, it may result in serious complications such as meningitis, pneumonia, rheumatic fever, etc.