As parents, you know that a sore throat can be a common occurrence in your kids. Known medically as pharyngitis, it's a typical symptom for many of the bugs that your children tend to get, such as colds and flu.

In some instances, however, a sore throat can be an indicator of a more serious underlying medical condition that needs medical intervention. For example, certain sore throat symptoms may be a sign of strep throat, which requires antibiotics to treat. In other cases, they may be a sign that your child needs their tonsils or adenoids (or both) removed.

To help you understand your child's sore throat and determine whether it's nothing to worry about or worthy of a trip to the pediatrician, we compiled some of the common signs and symptoms to look for. Of course, you can always talk to your doctor about any type of sore throat if you're unsure.

Typical Sore Throat Symptoms

As mentioned previously, most sore throats are a common symptom of typical childhood illnesses like colds and flu. They're also a common symptom of seasonal allergies and can occur due to non-illnesses, as well, such as breathing through the mouth, yelling or talking loudly.

For the most part, sore throats begin with a dry, raspy feeling in the throat that's more prevalent when swallowing or talking. As they worsen, swallowing or talking may become painful. Sometimes the pain can spread out from the throat to the side of the neck or even the ears. 

If a sore throat is related to a cold, flu, or allergies, it's often accompanied by other symptoms, such as:

• Runny nose
• Cough
• Congestion
• Hoarseness
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Headache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Upset stomach

When to See a Doctor for a Sore Throat

If your child's sore throat is very painful, gets worse or they experience any of the symptoms below, we recommend visiting your child's pediatrician, as this could be a sign of a more serious infection, such as strep throat. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that requires a course of antibiotics to treat.

For example, if your child has:

• Pain when swallowing
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Red spots on the roof of the mouth
• Red and swollen tonsils
• White patches or pus in the throat
• A fever over 100 degrees

Other signs that your child's sore throat is more serious include:

• No signs of improvement within 5 days
• Blood in the saliva or phlegm
• Difficulty breathing
• Excessive drooling
• Dehydration
• Joint pain or swelling

Is It Time for Tonsils and Adenoids to Be Removed?

The frequency and severity of your child's sore throats can also be a sign to your pediatrician that it's time to have their tonsils or adenoids removed. For example, kids are typically a candidate for a tonsillectomy if they've had seven or more cases of bacterial tonsillitis in a year, five or more cases over two consecutive years, or three or more cases over three consecutive years.

Many children have their adenoids removed (adenoidectomy) at the same time as the tonsils if they are also frequently enlarged or causing problems for the child. The adenoids are located in the back of the nose, and enlarged adenoids can lead to reduced airflow, snoring, poor sleep quality, and other complications.

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are common childhood procedures. These operations are performed under general anesthesia, and young children typically recover quickly, often within just a few days.

By Joaquin Jimenez Garcia, M.D. and Mikhaylo Szczupak, M.D.
Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists (Otolaryngologists)
About Dr. Jimenez Garcia and Dr. Szczupak