Sore Throat Treatment in Williamsville, NY

Sore throat is a very common problem in children. Most sore throats are caused by an infection. Infections are caused either by viruses or bacteria. Viral infections are more common, and 7 out of 10 children with a sore throat have a viral infection. Bacterial infections cause 3 out of 10 cases of sore throat in children. Most bacterial infections in the throat are caused by Group A streptococcus, also known as “strep throat.”

Is a persistent sore throat causing discomfort and concern for your child? At Buffalo Pediatrics in Williamsville, NY, our board-certified pediatricians specialize in expert sore throat treatment. Contact our pediatric office in Williamsville, NY by calling (716) 639-0744.

How can I tell if my child has Strep Throat or a Viral Infection?

Unfortunately, there is no single sign to look for that can identify Strep Throat. However, there can be some hints in the symptoms your child has in addition to their sore throat. Children who might have Strep Throat should be seen by their doctors for further testing. However, children with likely viral illness do not need to be seen by their doctor.

How can we treat a sore throat?

Viral infections and Strep Throat infections can both make a child very uncomfortable and unhappy. However, there is no medication that your doctor can prescribe that can treat viral infections. They must be managed with what we call “supportive care”.

Supportive care for Viral Sore Throat:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin) for fevers and pain
• Sucking on candy, lollypops, or freezer treats
• In children >6 years old, gargling with saltwater

Because sore throats caused by Strep are due to bacteria, they can be treated with an antibiotic prescribed by your doctor. Most children with Strep Throat will get better without antibiotics, but your doctors prescribe medication anyway to prevent complications of Strep throat, help your child feel better faster, and reduce the likelihood that your child will pass on the bacteria to others. Children with Strep Throat ALSO benefit from the supportive care techniques used with viral infections.

How does the doctor test for Strep Throat?

If your doctor suspects your child may have Strep Throat, they will swab the back of your child’s throat with a long Q-tip. They then perform a rapid test that takes about 5-8 minutes. You generally find out the result of that test before you leave the office. If the test is positive your child will be treated for Strep Throat.

If the rapid test is negative your doctor will perform a culture on the swab. This is because sometimes the rapid test is negative even when a child does have Strep Throat. Throat cultures are much more accurate, but take 24 hours to give results. If the result of the culture is positive your doctor will contact you by phone and make sure your child receives the medication that they need.