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Suggest Treatment For Sore Throat And Fever In A Child
Question: My 7 year old woke up last night w/ sore throat and vomited once. Now, he is running low grade fever (99.5) and is feeling and eating fine. Strep test was neg; doctor says it's a viral sore throat infection. How long should I expect low grade fever to last?
Also, what temp is really considered a fever? If his oral temp up continues to go up to 99.5 for several days (down to normal overnight, but up to 99.5 in late afternoon) and he is otherwise feeling and eating fine, should I keep him home from school?
Also, what temp is really considered a fever? If his oral temp up continues to go up to 99.5 for several days (down to normal overnight, but up to 99.5 in late afternoon) and he is otherwise feeling and eating fine, should I keep him home from school?
Brief Answer:
Gurgle with lukewarm water should help
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for posting your query at HealthCareMagic. I have gone through the details provided by you. Children often suffer from sore throat which has two major causes - either Streptococcus (what we call strep throat and for which the test has been done) or it can be a condition called 'infectious mononucleosis' (glandular fever) which is caused by a virus called Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). Since strep test is negative, your doctor has rightly pointed it out to be viral in origin. In any case, such infections are self containing and get relieved in 5-7 days. Gurgle with lukewarm water and drugs like acetaminophen/paracetamol or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory can be used to relieve fever and pain. Antibiotics are ineffective as it is a viral condition.
Let me mention that in the United States, about 50% of all children 5 years of age and nearly 95% of adults have had an EBV infection. Most of these infections cause symptoms similar to those of a cold or other mild viral infections. Symptoms vary, but the most common are extreme fatigue, fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. The symptoms of infectious mononucleosis also occur in many other viral and bacterial infections. Therefore, infectious mononucleosis is often unrecognized. Usually, a simple blood test known as a heterophil antibody or monospot test is done to confirm the diagnosis. Sometimes early in the infection or in young children, the monospot test is negative, and other specific antibody blood tests are necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
You need not worry. You may send the child to school if the overall health of the child permits it. Temperature in the mouth (oral) at or over 37.7 °C (99.9 °F) is considered as fever. Give the child paracetamol if the temperature is above 100°F.
Hope that helps. Feel free to revert back in case of further queries if any.
Gurgle with lukewarm water should help
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for posting your query at HealthCareMagic. I have gone through the details provided by you. Children often suffer from sore throat which has two major causes - either Streptococcus (what we call strep throat and for which the test has been done) or it can be a condition called 'infectious mononucleosis' (glandular fever) which is caused by a virus called Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). Since strep test is negative, your doctor has rightly pointed it out to be viral in origin. In any case, such infections are self containing and get relieved in 5-7 days. Gurgle with lukewarm water and drugs like acetaminophen/paracetamol or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory can be used to relieve fever and pain. Antibiotics are ineffective as it is a viral condition.
Let me mention that in the United States, about 50% of all children 5 years of age and nearly 95% of adults have had an EBV infection. Most of these infections cause symptoms similar to those of a cold or other mild viral infections. Symptoms vary, but the most common are extreme fatigue, fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. The symptoms of infectious mononucleosis also occur in many other viral and bacterial infections. Therefore, infectious mononucleosis is often unrecognized. Usually, a simple blood test known as a heterophil antibody or monospot test is done to confirm the diagnosis. Sometimes early in the infection or in young children, the monospot test is negative, and other specific antibody blood tests are necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
You need not worry. You may send the child to school if the overall health of the child permits it. Temperature in the mouth (oral) at or over 37.7 °C (99.9 °F) is considered as fever. Give the child paracetamol if the temperature is above 100°F.
Hope that helps. Feel free to revert back in case of further queries if any.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
So you think this is likely EBV? I had never heard that diagnosis related to a sre throat.o
Brief Answer:
Viral sore throat is caused by EBV
Detailed Answer:
Yes I think so. But you need not bother about the name of the virus. Such viral infections are common and not a cause of worry. And irrespective of whether the cause is bacterial or viral, the management remains the same. So make the child gurgle with lukewarm water. Stay relaxed. It will get well in 5-10 days which I guess, you will have to wait.
Viral sore throat is caused by EBV
Detailed Answer:
Yes I think so. But you need not bother about the name of the virus. Such viral infections are common and not a cause of worry. And irrespective of whether the cause is bacterial or viral, the management remains the same. So make the child gurgle with lukewarm water. Stay relaxed. It will get well in 5-10 days which I guess, you will have to wait.
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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