No matter how much your baby has grown up before your eyes, they still need extra attention when they're sick. This time of year you may be dishing out TLC over sore throats.
If you suspect this is the problem. Pediatrician Dr. Joe Matusic says your first job is to check symptoms to see how sick they are... and try and answer these questions when you're doing your evaluation.

Dr. Joe Matusic, MD, Pediatrician
Do they have any difficulty swallowing, do they have difficulty breathing? Is there any swelling in the back of their throat or any redness or puss?

Then check for other symptoms like a fever, headache or bellyache. Those are signs of strep throat, and you should see the doctor. Look for swollen lymph nodes, for the tell tale sign of this. Here's how to check.

Dr. Joe Matusic, MD
You can see there's a valley right in there, right there... so you just go down where this transition is, and the lymph nodes are right in this line. And you just feel.

You're feeling for a knot that would be the size of a peanut M & M and the area will be tender. You'll find out for sure if your child has strep after results of the throat culture come back. Symptoms of a sore throat can change fast, so keep checking symptoms. The doctor says most cases aren't strep.. but it's a condition that must be treated.

Dr. Joe Matusic, MD
If you don't treat strep throat, about one in 500 people will go on to have rheumatic fever.

That's a heart condition that's the number one cause of acquired heart disease.

Your average sore throat will last inside a week. Strep throat will be getting better after about 4 days once treatment has started. Dr. Joe suggests to help little throats feel better, have your child gargle with salt water, use a throat spray, and give them plenty of liquids.

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