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*Treatment for sore throat in most children is supportive care and systemic [[analgesia]]. [[Corticosteroids]] are considered if pain is unresponsive to simple analgesics.  
*Treatment for sore throat in most children is supportive care and systemic [[analgesia]]. [[Corticosteroids]] are considered if pain is unresponsive to simple analgesics.  
*They do not need antibiotics. Antibiotics are reserved for children in the high risk group ( immunosuppressed children, family or personal history of rheumatic heart disease or rheumatic fever) to prevent complications due to infection.  
*They do not need [[antibiotics]]. Antibiotics are reserved for children in the high risk group ( immunosuppressed children, family or personal history of rheumatic heart disease or rheumatic fever) to prevent complications due to infection.  
*The antibiotic of choice is [[Penicillin]]. Amoxicillin, Erythromycin or Azithromycin (for penicillin hypersensitivity) and first generation cephalosporins ( anaphylaxis to beta-lactams) are used as alternatives.<ref name="urlClinical Practice Guidelines : Sore throat">{{cite web |url=https://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/guideline_index/Sore_throat/#high-risk |title=Clinical Practice Guidelines : Sore throat |format= |work= |accessdate=}}</ref>
*The antibiotic of choice is [[Penicillin]]. Amoxicillin, Erythromycin or Azithromycin (for penicillin hypersensitivity) and first generation cephalosporins ( anaphylaxis to beta-lactams) are used as alternatives.<ref name="urlClinical Practice Guidelines : Sore throat">{{cite web |url=https://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/guideline_index/Sore_throat/#high-risk |title=Clinical Practice Guidelines : Sore throat |format= |work= |accessdate=}}</ref>



Revision as of 07:11, 18 April 2021


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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sunita Kumawat, M.B.B.S[2]

Synonyms and keywords: Sore throat in kids

Overview

Sore throat is an infection of the respiratory mucosa of the throat.It is most commonly felt as a sensation of pain in the pharynx. In children it can be classified as acute, subacute or recurrent. Common etiologies include bacterial, Viral and Protozoal organisms. It is usually self resolving, but can be associated with more severe disease forms. Treatment in general is conservative, however Antibiotics and Antivirals can be used depending on the Etiology, and severity of clinical presentation.


Historical Perspective

There is no data available regarding historical perspective for sore throat in children.

Classification

  • Sore throat can be classified into Infectious and Non infectious causes based on the etiology.[1]

Infectious

Non Infectious

Pathophysiology

Prostaglandins and bradykinin act on the sensory nerves in the pharynx, which leads to sore throat. Fever is the result of cytokine release and thought to benefit host's response to infection. Cytokines can also cause headache. The cranial nerves that supply the nasopharynx are responsible for pain perception. Vasodilator mediators like bradykinin causes dilation of the venous sinuses in the nasal epithelium which is responsible for nasal congestion. Glandular secretions with different cells (e.g. neutrophils, plasma cells, goblet cells) and plasma together in different compositions at different times, form nasal discharge. Inflammation in the nasopharynx, stimulates the trigeminal nerves, which presents in the form of sneezing. The inflammation when reaches the larynx, and stimulates the sensory nerves then coughing is initiated. The inflammatory mediators when act on the sensory nerve endings of the airway cause hyper-reactivity of the cough reflex. [2]

Causes

Sore throat in children can be acutely life-threatening or from common causes.[3]

Bacteria

Viruses

Differentiating Sore throat in children from other Diseases

Sore throat is a symptom and can be seen in many varieties of diseases as an initial complaint of presentation. For an algorithmic approach to sore throat, click here.

Epidemiology and Demographics

One of the most common medical conditions is sore throat, primarily caused by viruses and bacteria. Group A streptococcus(GAS) is the most common causative agent, resposible for 15-25% of cases of pharyngitis in children and 10% in adults. Diagnosis of GAS is important for the treatment and reduction of infectivity. It also prevents post infectious complications. The acute suppurative complications are retropharyngeal and peritonsillar abscess, acute bacterial sinusitis, cervical adenitis and acute otitis media. The late nonsuppurative complications are acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. In adults, nonsuppurative complications does not need immediate treatment.[4]

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

  • The majority of patients with Sore throat acquire it as a course of the respiratory tract or oropharyngeal infections remain asymptomatic for [duration/years].
  • Early clinical features include pain in the throat, itching, discomfort while more severe forms include difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing.
  • These symptoms are usually accompanied by fever, myalgias, arthralgias, cough depending on the type of infection.
  • Common complications if left untreated in infectious conditions include Retropharyngeal abscess, Parapharyngeal abscess, Quinsy, Sepsis.
  • Prognosis is generally excellent and when identified early in acute conditions, minimal to no complications occur. However sore throat is one of the most common complaints and can be relieved by symptomatic treatment if viral.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Criteria

The four important diagnostic criteria for sore throat are [6]

  • Absent cough and runny nose
  • Fever >38 C (100.4 F)
  • Tonsillar exudate
  • Anterior cervical lymphadenopathy

All 4 criteria present GABHS most likely

2 or 3 criteria further testing required

0 or 1- GABHS testing not required

Symptoms

  • Sudden onset of sore throat and fever.
  • Other symptoms may include:
  • Nausea and vomiting, headache, malaise, discomfort in swallowing and abdominal pain.
  • Cough, conjunctivitis, nasal congestion and rhinorrhoea are present in viral etiology
  • Redness and swelling of tonsils and pharynx are present.
  • Tender and enlarged anterior cervical lymph nodes.
  • Pharyngeal exudate that can be easily scraped off is present.

Physical Examination

  • Patients with Sore throat usually appear normal in common infections.
In life-threatening conditions, the patients appear severely ill.
  • Physical examination may be different depending on the underlying etiology as well as pathology. Examination of the pharynx is the key. However comprehensive examination gives hints for possible etiologies. Notable findings include:

Laboratory Findings

  • There are no specific laboratory findings associated with [disease name].
  • A [positive/negative] [test name] is diagnostic of [disease name].
  • An [elevated/reduced] concentration of [serum/blood/urinary/CSF/other] [lab test] is diagnostic of [disease name].
  • Other laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of [disease name] include [abnormal test 1], [abnormal test 2], and [abnormal test 3].

Electrocardiogram

There are no ECG findings associated with [disease name].

OR

An ECG may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an ECG suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

X-ray

There are no x-ray findings associated with [disease name].

OR

An x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an x-ray suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

OR

There are no x-ray findings associated with [disease name]. However, an x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].

Echocardiography or Ultrasound

There are no echocardiography/ultrasound findings associated with [disease name].

OR

Echocardiography/ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an echocardiography/ultrasound suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

OR

There are no echocardiography/ultrasound findings associated with [disease name]. However, an echocardiography/ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].

CT scan

There are no CT scan findings associated with [disease name].

OR

[Location] CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on CT scan suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

OR

There are no CT scan findings associated with [disease name]. However, a CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].

MRI

There are no MRI findings associated with [disease name].

OR

[Location] MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on MRI suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

OR

There are no MRI findings associated with [disease name]. However, an MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complications 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].

Other Imaging Findings

There are no other imaging findings associated with [disease name].

OR

[Imaging modality] may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an [imaging modality] suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

Other Diagnostic Studies

  • [Disease name] may also be diagnosed using [diagnostic study name].
  • Findings on [diagnostic study name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

Treatment

Medical Therapy

  • Treatment for sore throat in most children is supportive care and systemic analgesia. Corticosteroids are considered if pain is unresponsive to simple analgesics.
  • They do not need antibiotics. Antibiotics are reserved for children in the high risk group ( immunosuppressed children, family or personal history of rheumatic heart disease or rheumatic fever) to prevent complications due to infection.
  • The antibiotic of choice is Penicillin. Amoxicillin, Erythromycin or Azithromycin (for penicillin hypersensitivity) and first generation cephalosporins ( anaphylaxis to beta-lactams) are used as alternatives.[7]





  • There is no treatment for Sore throat in children; the mainstay of therapy is supportive care and systemic analgesia.
  • The mainstay of therapy for is [medical therapy 1] and [medical therapy 2].
  • [Medical therapy 1] acts by [mechanism of action 1].
  • Response to [medical therapy 1] can be monitored with [test/physical finding/imaging] every [frequency/duration].

Surgery

  • Surgery is the mainstay of therapy for [disease name].
  • [Surgical procedure] in conjunction with [chemotherapy/radiation] is the most common approach to the treatment of [disease name].
  • [Surgical procedure] can only be performed for patients with [disease stage] [disease name].

Prevention

Certain measures for the primary prevention of sore throat are [9]

  • Regular hand-washing.
  • Keep the eating utensils of the infected person separately and wash them thoroughly.
  • Toys of an infected toddler should be cleaned properly.
  • Try to dispose of any dirty tissues and wipes , and wash your hands.
  • A child with strep throat infection should not return to school until she or he finishes a 24 hour course of antibiotics with symptom improvement.

Follow up

  • Once diagnosed and successfully treated, patients with [disease name] are followed-up every [duration]. Follow-up testing includes [test 1], [test 2], and [test 3].

References

  1. Kenealy T (March 2014). "Sore throat". BMJ Clin Evid. 2014. PMC 3948435. PMID 24589314.
  2. "Sore Throat (Pharyngitis) - Infectious Disease and Antimicrobial Agents".
  3. "Sore throat - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic".
  4. Worrall GJ (November 2007). "Acute sore throat". Can Fam Physician. 53 (11): 1961–2. PMC 2231494. PMID 18000276.
  5. "Clinical Practice Guidelines : Sore throat".
  6. "jamanetwork.com".
  7. "Sore Throat (Pharyngitis) - Harvard Health".