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Lots of children get sore throats and often this is with a high temperature. It is usually due to a viral infection. Your child may also have a runny nose, cough, and earache.
Viral infections spread very quickly and often affect other people in your house.
Viruses get better on their own and do not need treatment with antibiotics.
Antibiotics may cause side effects such as rash and diarrhoea. The more antibiotics we use the more chance of antibiotic resistance.
Older children (aged 5 to 15 years) 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.
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111
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, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.
If your child has any of the following:
Please use pharmacy first
To find your nearest pharmacy click here
Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms
Additional advice is also available to young families for coping with crying of well babies – click here.
If your child has a long term condition or disability and you are worried please contact your regular team or follow any plans that they have given you.
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, speak to your health visitor, local pharmacist or call NHS 111– dial 111
Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home. They can go back to school, college or childcare when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend.
● Help them to rest
● Drink cool drinks to soothe the throat
● Give them paracetamol or ibuprofen to help pain
● You can buy a throat spray or lozenges from your local community pharmacist which may help with pain
Most children with 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 resistance to bacteria in your child (bacteria that can't be killed by antibiotics)
It is not always easy to stop children catching viral infections. Doing these things can help stop them spreading.
● wash your hands regularly
● use a tissue when coughing or sneezing and put it in the bin
● avoid sharing things like drinks or dummies
● wear a mask if you are coughing
Thanks to Dr. Oliver van Hecke for permission to use this infographic. They were developed as part of a study funded by a National Institute for Health and Care Research School for Primary Care Research grant (reference number: 439)
The diagrams above are taken from www.whenshouldiworry.com
You can treat your child's very minor illnesses and injuries at home.
Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when required, using the recommended medicines and getting plenty of rest.
Children can recover from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly; it is important to seek further advice if a child's condition gets worse.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.
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.
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?
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.
Contacting the School Nurse
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.
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:-
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.
GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.
You have a choice of service:
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.
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.
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.
