The discomfort associated with a sore throat can be reduced by taking a non-aspirin pain reliever as recommended by a physician. Aspirin is not recommended for use in children because of the rare incidence of the serious Reye syndrome. Children also may find relief from gargling with salt water, sucking on a throat lozenge, eating popsicles, drinking plenty of liquids (such as water, soups and broths). Orange or other citrus juices should be avoided because they can irritate the throat. A humidifier can be used to keep the air moist in a bedroom.

A sore throat generally does not disappear until the underlying illness that causes the sore throat is eliminated. In most cases, viral infections gradually fade over a three-to-10-day period. Antibiotics cannot be used to treat viral infections.  

Children who have a bacterial throat infection usually are treated with an antibiotic regimen. The medication is usually taken in pill form over a 10-day period, and children generally are no longer contagious 24 hours after beginning therapy. It is crucial that children take the full medication dosage. Failure to do so can result in spread of the infection to other parts of the body, or the development of bacterial resistance to the medication. Illnesses that sometimes result from such infections include inflammation of the kidneys (post-streptoccocal glomerulonephritis), ear and sinus infections, scarlet fever and rheumatic fever (disease that affects the heart valves and joints).

Children who have severe tonsillitis sometimes require surgical removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy). This is most likely when the tonsils are too big and obstruct a child’s ability to breathe properly. Unlike in the past, physicians do not routinely recommend removal of the tonsils if they become infected.

Children with mononucleosis typically are required to rest and avoid exercise until the sickness passes. A physician may suggest a pain reliever and fever reducer other than aspirin to treat symptoms.