Sore throat or tonsillitis (what is it?)
Sore throats are common in children, teenagers and young adults. Most often this is a mild illness, that will get better by itself. Sometimes the throat is inflamed and sore but sometimes it is tonsillitis.
The tonsils are small bits of soft tissue that sit at the back of the throat on either side. They are part of your immune system and help you fight disease. If they get infected, this is called ‘tonsillitis’
How do I know if my child has a sore throat or tonsillitis?
They may have:
- Sore throat
- Pain or problems swallowing
- a high temperature of 38oC or above
- white pus-filled spots on your tonsils
- swollen, painful glands in your neck
What causes sore throats and tonsillitis?
Most sore throats in young children (under 5 years of age) are caused by viral infections, such as colds or flu. Your child may also have a runny nose, cough or earache. Sore throats are very common and usually nothing to worry about. They normally get better by themselves within a week.
Older children (aged 5-15years) 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.
When should you worry?
If your child has any of the following:
- Unable to swallow or drink
- Pus on tonsils
- Breathing very fast or breathing that stops or pauses
- Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the rib, unable to talk or noisy breathing (grunting)
- A harsh breath noise as they breathe in (stridor) present all of the time (even when they are not upset)
- Becomes pale, blue, mottled and/or unusually cold to touch
- Difficult to wake up, very sleepy or confused
- Weak, high-pitched, continuous cry or extremely agitated
- Has a fit (seizure)
- A temperature less than 36oC or temperature 38oC or more if baby is less than 3 months
You need urgent help
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
If your child has any of the following:
- Sore throat
- Swollen glands in neck
- Your child is not better in 4 days
- Breathing a bit faster than normal or working a bit harder to breathe
- Noisy breathing (stridor) only when upset
- Dry skin, lips, tongue or looking pale
- Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 12 hours
- Sleepy or not responding normally
- Crying and unsettled
- Poor feeding (babies) or not drinking (children)
- A temperature 39oC or above in babies 3-6 months
- Temperature of 38oC or above for more than 5 days or shivering with fever(rigors)
- Getting worse or you are worried about them
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today
Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111
We recognise that during the current COVID-19 crisis, at peak times, access to a health care professional may be delayed. 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, then consider taking them to your nearest Emergency Department
If your child has none of the above:
-
Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms
Additional advice is also available for families for help cope with crying in otherwise well babies
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS 111 – dial 111
This guidance has been reviewed and adapted by healthcare professionals across North East and North Cumbria with consent from the Hampshire development groups.
How do I look after my child with a sore throat or tonsillits?
- make sure they rest
- drink cool drinks to soothe the throat
- give them paracetamol or ibuprofen (do not give aspirin to children under 16) to help pain
- You can buy a throat spray or lozenges from your pharmacist which may help with pain
Most children with tonsillitis/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 resistant 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 catching these viral infections. However, being hygenic can help spread infections. Please always remember to:
- wash your hands regularly
- use a tissue when coughing or sneezing and put it in the bin
- avoid sharing glasses or utensils with people who are unwell
- wear a mask if you are coughing
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 features in the amber box, 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.
Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.
Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals for example hearing or vision concerns or to the Community Paediatricians or to the child and adolescent mental health services.
Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local Children’s Centre.
Click below to find information on your local health visiting team:
Sound advice
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
- Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
- Exercise, hygiene and safety
- Your child’s growth and development
- Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
- Safety in the home
- Stopping smoking
- Contraception and sexual health
- Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
- Toilet training
- Minor illnesses
For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?
Click below to find information on your local health visiting team:
Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.
Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals for example hearing or vision concerns or to the Community Paediatricians or to the child and adolescent mental health services.
Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local Children’s Centre.
Click below to find information on your local health visiting team:
Sound advice
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
- Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
- Exercise, hygiene and safety
- Your child’s growth and development
- Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
- Safety in the home
- Stopping smoking
- Contraception and sexual health
- Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
- Toilet training
- Minor illnesses
For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?
Click below to find information on your local health visiting team:
School nurses care for children and young people, aged 5-19, and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and/or emotional health needs.
Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.
There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.
What the school nursing service deliver may vary depending on your local area offer. Click the link below to find information on your local school nursing team:
Sound Advice
Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.
They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:-
- encouraging healthier lifestyles
- offering immunisations
- giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
- supporting children with complex health needs
Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.
School nurses care for children and young people, aged 5-19, and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and/or emotional health needs.
Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.
There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.
What the school nursing service deliver may vary depending on your local area offer. Click the link below to find information on your local school nursing team:
Sound Advice
Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.
They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:-
- encouraging healthier lifestyles
- offering immunisations
- giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
- supporting children with complex health needs
Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.
If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.
Sound advice
Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.
Sound advice
Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.
Sound advice
A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.
Sound advice
