Sore throat in infants
Overview
Sore throat in infants: How to recognize and help
A sore throat in infants is hard to recognize because the baby cannot complain about it. Parents may suspect the problem by indirect signs such as refusal to eat, crying during swallowing, and increased salivation. In most cases the cause is a viral infection.
Causes of sore throat in infants
- Viral pharyngitis: This is the most common cause. Throat inflammation is one of the symptoms of URTI and is usually accompanied by runny nose and cough.
- Thrush (candidiasis): A fungal infection can affect the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat, causing discomfort. It appears as white patches.
- Enteroviral infection (herpangina): Characterized by the appearance of painful ulcers on the back wall of the throat and the tonsils.
- Reflux: The backflow of acidic stomach contents can irritate the throat.
How to know if an infant has a sore throat?
The main indicator is poor appetite. The baby may start sucking and then, with crying, reject the breast or bottle because swallowing hurts. Increased irritability and sleep disturbances may also be observed. If the sore throat is accompanied by a high fever, it is a reason to see a doctor.
Related symptoms
General pain in infants
General pain in infants: How to understand what's hurting When an infant feels pain, it signals it in the only way available to it—crying. Decoding this signal is one of the most c…
Headache in infants
Headache in infants: Is it possible? Diagnosing a headache in an infant is practically impossible. The baby cannot complain, and nonspecific signs such as crying or irritability ca…
Abdominal pain in infants
Abdominal pain in infants: Causes of discomfort Abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons for crying and distress in infants. Their digestive system is still maturing, and m…
Ear pain in infants
Ear pain in infants: How to recognize otitis Acute middle otitis (inflammation of the middle ear) is one of the most common childhood infections, with its peak occurring between 6 …
Pain during teething in infants
Pain during teething in infants Teething is one of the first significant and, at the same time, worrisome stages in an infant's development. The emergence of the first tooth is a j…
Muscle pain in infants
Muscle pain in infants: Possible causes Muscle pain (myalgia) in infants is a relatively rare complaint that is difficult to diagnose. Unlike older children, who often experience "…
Joint pain in infants
Joint pain in infants: "Red flag" Joint pain (arthralgia), and especially their swelling and inflammation (arthritis), in infants is always a concerning symptom that requires manda…