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Help for a problem common in 5- to 10-year-olds

	Young children with a sore throat may actually complain of a bellyache. Though most sore throats aren't serious, they can be painful, and in some cases indicate more serious conditions. ConsumerReportsHealth.org can help you identify and treat your child's sore throat pain.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today and find out whether over-the-counter or prescription medications rate best for treating sore throats.

Consumer Reports Health explains the best and most up-to-date expert research and evidence about treating a sore throat. Our clear and sound advice helps you and your doctor choose your best treatment options.

Key points for people with sore throats

• A sore throat is caused by an infection. The infection could be caused by bacteria or a virus.
• Sore throats are often confused with other illnesses that affect parts of the throat.
• Sometimes the infection that causes a sore throat spreads. If this happens, you may become hoarse, lose your voice, get an ear infection, or get sinusitis.
• A sore throat could also make you dehydrated.
• Home remedies, painkillers, and antibiotics can help relieve the pain of a sore throat.

The main symptoms of a sore throat include pain, itchiness, and redness in your throat, white patches on your tonsils, fever, and headache. Children who have a throat infection may not complain of a sore throat. Instead, they may say they have a bellyache. Most sore throats aren't serious, but you should call your doctor if your child has a lot of difficulty swallowing or breathing, a high fever, excessive dribbling in younger children, swollen lymph glands in the neck, or a rash.

Our concise condition report and Treatment Ratings table will help you and your doctor decide which treatment for a sore throat is right for you. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, we'll also help you sort through the best research and the most effective treatments for over 100 conditions and illnesses that may affect you and your family.