Growing Kids the Natural Way - Sore Throats
By Christine Dennis
Sore throats are characterized by pain or discomfort, especially on swallowing, and may be accompanied with sore swollen glands in the neck and drooling as well as other symptoms. Very young children are often not able to identify a sore throat rather they are fussy, refuse to eat or cry when feed.
Cause
All throat infections are transmitted via contact with the bacteria or virus; i.e. on someone’s infected hands, something they have touched or saliva from coughing. The incubation period varies from 3 days to 2 weeks for viral infections and 1 to 3 days for most bacterial infections.
Differential Diagnosis
Irritations:

Dry house - during the cold winter months, dry heat may create a recurring, mild sore throat with a parched feeling, especially in the mornings. This often responds to humidification of bedroom air and increased liquid intake. Patients with a chronic stuffy nose, causing mouth breathing, also suffer with a dry throat.
They need examination and treatment of the nose.

Environmental pollutants - such as smoke or dust - Pollutants and chemicals in the air can irritate the nose and throat, but the most common air pollutant is tobacco smoke. Other irritants include smokeless tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and spicy foods.

Voice strain - yelling at loud events or when excited can causes a sore throat from muscle strain and irritation to throat membranes.

Dehydration – a sore throat can a sign of dehydration

Inhalation of a foreign object - such as a small piece of food

Allergies/asthma – do not cause sudden sore, painful throats but they can cause chronic mild throat irritation with a stuffy nose and other symptoms of a cold; i.e. - pollens, mold, pet danders and house dust or mites.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux - a cause of morning sore throat can be regurgitation of stomach acids up into the back of the throat. Avoiding eating within three hours of bedtime, and eliminate caffeine and alcohol can help. This may also be a sign of a food sensitivity that needs to be removed.

Psychogenic cough - can develop due to stress, tension in the home or at school can result in a sore throat.
Some Common Viruses Causes:

Flu, colds and coughs - The common cold virus can cause a sore throat in addition to its many other symptoms. Coughing and post-nasal drip from a cold can irritate the throat. Most viral sore throats go along with a stuffy, runny nose, sneezing, fever and generalized aches and pains but can also include headaches, nausea and vomiting. These viruses are highly contagious and spread quickly. Sore throats with viral illnesses usually last 3 or 4 days up to a week as the body builds antibodies that destroy the virus.
Antibiotics will not work for viral infections.

Coxsackie virus (hand, foot, and mouth disease) - a virus that causes high fever and painful canker sores on the throat, cheeks, gums, or lips.

Infectious mononucleosis or "mono" – a virus that is transmitted by saliva resulting in massive enlargement of the tonsils, with white patches on their surface and swollen glands in the neck, armpits, and groin causes a severely sore throat and, sometimes, serious breathing difficulties; it can affect the liver, leading to jaundice (yellow skin and eyes) and extreme fatigue lasting six weeks or more.

e n p w h s o a h e k l e

Childhood illnesses such as Measles, Chicken pox and Roseola, – these highly contagious viral infections are associated with their own distinct rash/spots as well as other cold and possible flu like symptoms.

C roup (viral laryngotracheitis) - causes a barking cough, with rapid and harsh breathing; can be very distressing for child and parents but is usually self limiting

B ronchiolitis – viral lung infection that can sometimes follow a common cold

Whooping cough - a characteristic spasmodic cough followed by a whooping noise as the child draws in breath
Some Common Bacterial Causes:

Strep throat - an infection caused by a streptococcus bacteria (group A strep); redness, swelling and white streaks or pus on the tonsils; also may be tiny red spots at the back of the roof of mouth. See “ Is it Strep throat or just a virus?” as this infection can also damage the heart valves (rheumatic fever) and kidneys
(nephritis).

Tonsillitis - an infection of the lumpy tissues (tonsils) on each side of the back of the throat. Frequent sore throats from tonsillitis suggest an unresolved infection or may be a sign of another underlying irritation on the immune system (i.e. food sensitivities). Symptoms may include fever, pain and/or difficulty swallowing, and tender lymph nodes, nasal or raspy speech and mouth breathing.

Adenoiditis – an infection of the adenoid tissue which consists of the same tissue as the tonsils; adenoid infection commonly presents with tonsillar infection, especially in children. Similar symptoms and causes apply as for tonsillitis.

Infections in the nose and sinuses also can cause sore throats, because mucus from the nose drains down into the throat and carries the infection with it.

Epiglottitis - a most dangerous throat infection caused by bacteria that infect a portion of the larynx (voice box) and cause swelling that closes the airway. This is an emergency and requires prompt medical attention.
Symptoms are extremely painful swallowing that causes drooling, muffled speech and breathing difficulties.
S e

b y e d i n p a c c o m
: s a i t a h r o t r e

D i f f t l y i c u r e b t a h i n

e c

E k x f n i t f i w n

S g l l o s w a y t l m e r t e

S g i g n i c a f i f f i d t n i c u

0
4

D
F e h y d i t r a r
1
C o b o v r a
4
0 e

F e e v e i g u t f a g y r a l e t h d a n

r u h o
, s
6 h a n
, t h m o u y r d u n s k e m o r f o t r e r u n o o n
( e i n

e s s l r a r y c a n e s n e y t e d t i n i p a
)
J o i n g

W g h i l n l w e d s a n n

e n e r a s l s s i n g o t a s i n

H k o r d t o f r e o n e s u s
/ l d i h e n c r s p e

h e c t s

S r e o u l o v r e e i n p a h c i u s l b e t w o w v e r

L s i p s e e k r a

s w
R l l o t o o
L
Dietary Recommendations:

Avoid carbonated drinks as these can be very irritating and may 'burn' the throat.

Eat soothing foods – such as warm soups and soft/pureed foods

Avoid spicy foods or acidic foods such as tomatoes or orange juice as this may irritate more

Eliminate refined foods and sugars.

Suck on a vitamin C tablet if tolerated

Garlic syrup –To make, chop garlic up fine and infuse in honey or maple syrup over night; strain and take honey or syrup by the tsp dose 3 or 4 times per day.
Herbal Recommendations:

Suck on herbal throat lozenges
M a r s h m a

r e t
1 o w d t p o n
G s p o l e a b i l r a c l o w l m a s h r a o o r e n o z g e s
M

e y o n
¼ t e a r h p o l e a p r o m r u s y t e i m n r e p p e n s s i t o o s p n
P e

e e n d e d a s p p e p e i x
M i n t r m p s
W r d o r e t a
1 l i l a o
2
-

e y
.
T h e n h o n r o n m r i i t s s h r a m a s y i n p r u l i a t n e s s e l i o

e i n n o u s h l p a t o r t e g h w a l l a o w
.
T h r d e s e n t o o r l l o w p o w

s t o l m a i n e d
.
S e l l s b a l a s t i d b e t o f o r m t i x m t h e e r u

i a t n r n e c o l e d l o e
1 a k
.
T n g z e e n a i e e a s r y
. d e t o r o t
S

e e d e a s n d
. i e r t a c t n
i
B n c i
T l a t u r l p e
–
A
E x a m

Throat spray or gargle – use either teas or diluted tinctures; i.e. sage or echinacea

Herbal tea - add honey or lemon if desired o Sage o Hyssop o Thyme

Anti-bacterial tincture

e
0 m l s
T h y l
2 s e a s
G a l
0 m
2 m e i c l r
1
2 e a n a c
E c i h s
G o l
0 m e n l d

l s
5 m r e e v y k e
3
– l
0 m h
1 s
T a l s
1
5 m r r
M y r k e
P o
5 m l s t o o

.
r
G r a g t a e m w t i t i h l e w t u n c r e l t e i l t r a w i s r u
4 h o a n

r a i
V l
T i t
n e a l m p e
–
A
E x a s s
H y o p
M e s r o b f e l l w a n g
. i o w

Cold/flu tea

r e o w s
T f r l l d e l a e q u e a k t r p a s n b e m o l a m
E r a m
T h r a j o y m e
L

a i n j a c e l p a
1 a k e
.
r
T p t s f o b s r h e d a n r d h e f o t d i e

n g i l w a i b o f o a c i n r t e
.
u p t
S
1 a n d p c u t n a i b c o m n i o

e w a r m l i h k w f i t o h r o l e a b t n d s a i n r d
1
0 i m e e p t e n u

r g e f i i g n f o
.
1 r e d i s d e u p c v a d d d h a s t r a l e o t o
.
e
A

Is it
S tr e p t t o
3 r e y h o
4 r u s
.
Other Recommendations:

Hugs, kisses and loving care - although sore throats are often just part of a common cold, they can make a child feel down and out of sorts which can be helped by just having mum and/or dad around. Careful not to kiss on the lips; perhaps a nibble on the ear would suffice (see P revention ideas).

Plenty of rest – a stack of good books, warm blanket and a cozy pillow is a must; avoid over stimulating television or activities; resting in mum and/or dad’s bed can be a bonus to the care plan; for extra potency, have mum or dad hop in too! (again, see P revention ideas)

Gargle o salt water to reduce soreness - 1/4 to 1 Tsp salt with 8 ounces warm water o a dropperful of liquid chlorophyll in a little bit of warm water

Plenty of water - keeps sore throat lubricated and moist easing swallowing and helps prevent dehydration.

Use a humidifier to put moisture into the air to help soothe dry and irritated throats
Prevention of sore throats:

Wash hands with warm soapy water

Gargle with salt water after coming in contact with people with sore throats or out in public during high cold/flu season as people are contagious even before they have symptoms.

Keep well hydrated

Keep immune system strong (see previous CJH issue for information on building a healthy immune system)

r u s u st a vi
? w or se th a n st re p th fe el ju st as b a d as or re th ro at s ca n
N ot e:
V ir al so o r j h r o at

ro at
! ur al s at cu lt of a th ro w ab
.
H is is b y m ea ns
1
0 nl y
T he o ag n os
0
% di re ar e a fe w ti ps er
, he o w ev

: o n is ne ed ed sti ga ti r in ve o u de ci de to he lp y if fu rt he
1
0 r v e o
1
F i s
8
C r
3

F e v o r e

t a t h l a t a r h o r m o r o f t s t h e a n r t s t o t e p y c o m v r e n m o

r e r e y t h d t i t w r o a t a
.

V r h o t p b e a y r e t s d a e e t r h y s m

f o k t h b a c h e e a t l a p a e n d i h w t s s p o t o n t h i g h r b d r e

l w a t a p y s r e i s i h n o s i n s t o
( l s e
– t t
N o o n u s t e p h e t

t s t i h p r e t o a
.
r t h m e o s o t o e n e w p o e x r s u
)
.

K n o w n s e t n

e s s l d l i c h h a t r o f a

I t
' u n s m o n c o m g e n a t o
3 t s r t g e

.
s

M o t s c o m m a n d l g r e e n d c k n e n a l e t n d
.

S w l o t o a r h e p t

r d t i e i n i a t p a c h n g
.
r

W h t n e i w l l a f e n d a i n g r u o n d t a l

v e h a t s h e

M a y a c o m h e e a a c a d

M a t o a y h a v t h e n e s o r h t

l u a u s d l y n o t o e s t h r e p t a r o i n g

S t t i m v o a n i n h p a r o
/ d

r a s u n n c h s u c o
, s e n o y
, h u g a y m p e s t o m s e l m u c a u s l p i t

m a y s h c c a a n y s o m p i t s i r e t c r a r a c g e s o n n d c o n i t
.

A c h a

n e i f
, r a s r s l e s i m p p e d l l a o s a i
T h e a p p r h o t r t e p
.
t a

n d a b a m e n b d o t f t h a
) c k l e e r o h e s
( c a
, t t e t h v e r n k r u

d m a l y a n r p e e s i l k k o o b u u n r n s a i k e p a n d a l m o u g
, h l t s

i
, t s c r o a t h r c a d
S l e l a t l e
F e h s t i w e p r t r a i s
.
T h
, s h

a t o t o n g i t c d u c r p o n i x b e d y o d y e b e a r i d a n v e r t h s

e vi r us a n d n ot st ro at
: re p th n u nt el y a re at a bl
Si g ns th at li k it is

A g e r e p
.
t s t h e

m s

T h r o a n o t t p o s y m r o l d c o e u l f o u n y
3 r o

M u t l r g e l i p

o v i c k l a r e l

T h r o t a v e i n g s r y t n o d t c a d

C h l i r e r y t v e

t o n w h t b u
, g l o w l w a s e n g i n r o c o u e n i n g h l o n n p i a y w h

o m pl ic at io ns
R ar e
C p
T h of
St re ro at

R h e u i c f e t m a i n g s s p r e n o o a t r t h

i m m u n e
' y s b o d i n t e m y s s r a t e t c e n w h e t h h a p
v e r n s p e

r t s e p t h e t h
.
a i r e t c b a e s e
T h w a l m a y i w n a a s i n r o b n

r a h e t v h e t k i j o
, s v e l a
, s t n s s a r t e a c t t e d i n c o m b u s l c

t
, r i h s e v e
H o w t e x a n s i r e l y m e r g a r o
.
n s n d a i k
, n h e t o

d o y e s l l a u s u r u o c c t n o i t u n l o n i t a d a n e c o m r r a i c l p

i p r t e e c f n
.
n i t o r t e f a s a r a l w s e v e k s e e

G l o m l o n e p r e u

l f a m i n i o n t m a
– t h i s r h t i i s i s s a n e y i d k h n d a s f o t h e

r w h e n e v e f c
' y s b o d e t h i u n m m h e u r e i t m a i l k h u c m t h e

l a r m w a b n o n a t h e t h y i w r t s e p t s r a c a i n t s e m e s y t e i n

l y m e r a r t e e x d o e n d a r e n o s t i s i s s o l a i r a t e b a c
.
T h

k s e e f a l w r e a r t e a s r t e i n p f e i t l u n e v s u s u r o c c u l y l a

l o c o r u e
l a c o
, a i n e r u d i u q c k i s r e r k d a
I f
.
n t c i o h e t

d s w l l e a n
, m e t h e f o g i n a c f
, e n e i r u l u v o a s e r e d e c n i

Bibliography:
, t f e e e k s e
, s l e a n k d a n a l a t t e i o t n n
. i d c m e

Bartram, T. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine . Grace Pub. Dorset. 1995.
Merck Manual . 16 th
ed.
Schiff, D. & Shelov, S.
Guide to Your Child’s Symptoms
. Villard, NY. 1997.
Romm, A. Naturally Healthy Babies and Children . Storey Books, Vermont. 2000.
Scott, J. Natural Medicine for Children . Avon Books, NY. 1990.
Zand, J., Walton, R. & Rountree, B. Smart Medicine For a Healthier Child . Avery Publishing Group, NY. 1994.