My ds, who just turned 5, is complaining of his very FIRST sore throat. He says it's scratchy and painful and is in tears. I gave him some Motrin for now and he's finally fallen asleep, but I was wondering what you guys use to relieve these symptoms in your dks. I hate seeing him in such discomfort.

By Tink on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 - 02:42 am:

There are some lollipops called "Get Better Bears" I think, shaped like teddy bears that are made from the same ingredients as sore throat lozenges. These worked wonders for my dks. I think Chloroseptic makes a children's version of their spray.

By Colette on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 - 05:33 am:

If you can get him to do it, most kids hate to, have him gargle with salt water.

By Eve on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 - 08:38 am:

I keep the sore throat lollipops on hand too. Also, good ol' popsicles do wonders! My Dr. just says lots of fluids, don't worry about eating, and pain medication when needed. I hope your DS feels better soon. It's no fun!

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 - 08:46 am:

Salt water actually encourages healing. I *still* do that and still tell my (grown) kids to do that when they (still) come to Mom when they are sick. LOL

Otherwise, as Eve said, popsicles, really anything cold and soothing. I've actually found that warm and soothing works too, but a 5 y/o probably won't like *warm*.

Hope he feels better!

By Tunnia on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 - 09:18 am:

In addition to the great advice above, try running a humidifier in his room to keep his throat from drying out while he is sleeping.

By Vicki on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 - 10:08 am:

One thing to be on the look out for is strep. It is getting to be that time of year again!! It can come with a fever or with out and usually dd has pretty foul breath with it.

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 - 10:12 am:

Yea, with strep, the breath is NASTY. Other symptoms with strep would be fever, upset stomach, headache, sometimes a rash on their torso, and in some kids, earaches.

By Tklinreston on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 - 12:29 pm:

Thanks for the all of the great advice. Karen -- you described many of the symptoms he's had in the past week.. Last Tuesday he had a fever of 103 and very upset stomach and diarrhea.. but no sore throat, runny nose etc. I took him to the doctor and they said he had a stomach virus. A week has passed and he's much better in terms of his stomach and has his appetite back but just last night started complaining of a sore throat. My little ds caught the same virus because he hasn't eaten in a week and has had 4-5 bouts of diaarhea every day. He just started eating yesterday and no more loose stool. BUT then I got sick over the weekend -- VERY sore throat & tummy ache too but doing much better today. To top it all off, they both suffer from eczema and that's where the itchiness and rashes come in. I really hate this time of the year! We do as much as we can to avoid getting sick but it's just inevitable. My hands are cracking and dry from washing it so much. I wash it everytime I shake someone's hand at work or use someone's computer but I just hate the idea of bringing home germs to my dks. I hope all of you the best and lots of handwashing to us all!!

By Vicki on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 - 01:34 pm:

I bet if you called the dr and repeated all of this, they would have you bring him in for a strep test. Untreated strep can be very serious! I would at least put a call into them!

By Lauram on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 - 02:22 pm:

If they didn't do a strep test, I would call and insist on one. Strep can be very painful. My oldest ds just got over it. If he does have it, you should all get tested too! I believe untreated strep can cause problems with your heart (someone told me that last week). You really need to take it seriously!

By Kristie on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 - 10:53 pm:

I agree with getting a strep test. If it is just a sore throat (hopefully it is) my DS just had his first sore throat last month and he wouldn't suck on nothing to make it better. So I bought some vitamine C drops, and they not only helped but gave him extra vitamine C too.

By Karen~moderator on Thursday, October 28, 2004 - 07:55 am:

Ditto the strep test - strep left untreated can cause other serious health problems such as scarlet fever, rheumatic fever and Glomerulonephritis, a kidney disorder, which my co-worker's 4 y/o grandson was just diagnosed with last week due to a past untreated strep infection.

"The infection usually spreads from person to person in droplets coughed or breathed into the air. It can also be spread by touching nasal secretions or saliva of an infected person and then touching your hand to your mouth.

Symptoms usually appear suddenly. While the bacteria cause no symptoms in some people, others may have:
· a red, swollen and very sore throat;
· white or yellow patches of pus on the throat;
· swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck;
· difficulty swallowing;
· decreased appetite;
· fever;
· chills;
· a general feeling of being sick;
· nausea and vomiting;
· headache; and
· muscle aches.

In some people, the toxins released by the bacteria may also cause a widespread, rough, red rash called scarlet fever. A stuffy nose or cough are not usual strep throat symptoms and suggest a cold or some other cause.

In rare cases, untreated strep infection may cause rheumatic fever, a condition that can result in heart disease and arthritis. Also rarely, untreated strep may lead to glomerulonephritis, a condition that can cause permanent kidney damage."

Don't take chances. It's possible to have strep with other illnesses. When Jules and Jason were teens they had the flu and Jules had strep too. In my entire life, I have never seen anyone as sick as she was that week.