What medication should a child take for a sore throat?
Disease description:
My child has been complaining of a sore throat recently, and it's affecting his/her ability to eat. I don't know if it's inflamed or not. I'd like to ask what medication I should give my child to relieve the pain and help him/her recover more quickly?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lu Cheng
When a child experiences symptoms of a sore throat, appropriate medications can be selected based on the potential causes for treatment.
For throat pain caused by viral infections, symptomatic treatment is usually recommended, such as administering appropriate doses of antipyretic and analgesic medications (e.g., ibuprofen or acetaminophen, but following pediatric dosage guidelines), while ensuring adequate hydration and rest. If the infection is bacterial (e.g., streptococcal pharyngitis), a doctor may prescribe antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin.
For sore throats caused by excessive voice use or internal heat, heat-clearing and detoxifying medications may be chosen, such as children's common cold granules, children's throat-clearing granules, or children's heat-clearing granules. These medications can help alleviate throat swelling, congestion, and reduce pain.
If the sore throat is accompanied by coughing and phlegm production, antitussive and expectorant medications may be used, such as ambroxol hydrochloride tablets, bromhexine tablets, or antitussive and expectorant granules. These medications help clear respiratory secretions and relieve cough symptoms.
Certain home remedies may also help ease a child's throat discomfort, such as offering warm fluids (e.g., warm water or mild herbal teas), honey (only suitable for children over 1 year of age), or lozenges. Keeping indoor air humidified and avoiding irritating foods and beverages can also help alleviate symptoms.
