Antibiotics (usually penicillin or amoxicillin). Antibiotic treatment can shorten the duration of the disease, prevent complications and the spread of infection. Treatment should continue for the prescribed duration (usually about XNUMX days), even if the symptoms have disappeared. Stopping antibiotic treatment can lead to relapse, cause complications and contribute to antibiotic resistance.

After 24 hours of treatment with antibiotics, patients are usually no longer contagious.

In order to reduce discomfort and pain in children:

• Promote calm activities. Although the child does not need to be in bed all day, he should rest.
• Give often to drink: water, juice, soup to avoid dehydration. Avoid too acidic juices (orange, lemonade, grape), which accentuate the sore throat.
• Offer soft foods (purees, yogurt, ice cream, etc.) in small amounts, 5 or 6 times a day.
• Keep the room air moist because cold air can irritate the throat. Preferably use a cool mist humidifier.
• Keep the room air free from irritants, such as household products or cigarette smoke.
• To relieve throat pain, invite the child to gargle a few times a day with 2,5 ml (½ teaspoon) of salt diluted in a glass of lukewarm water.
• Suck lozenges to soothe a sore throat (for children over 4 years old).
• Offer acetaminophen? Or paracetamol (Doliprane®, Tylenol®, Tempra®, Panadol®, etc.) or Ibupfofen (Advil®, Motrin®, etc.) to relieve pain caused by sore throat and fever