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Suggest Treatment For Headache, Sore Throat And High Fever In A Child
Question: I have a 5 year old girl who was complaining of a headache, soar throat, and a temp from 99 to 103.5 for 3 1/2 days. Temp has been 100.5 or less (currently 99.5) today but still complaining of soar throat. Been giving Ibprofen or Acetaminophen which seem to reduce temp for a while then it climbs back up
Brief Answer:
Sore throat:
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
When I hear the combination of fever and sore throat, I advise a throat swab for strep. Fever plus sore throat can be other things too, usually viral, including flu and Epstein Barr virus, which can't be treated with antibiotics.
But given her sometimes high fevers plus a continuing sore throat, I think it best for you to take her in to have her throat looked at and a throat swab. Strep pharyngitis, if left untreated, can cause complications such as rheumatic heart disease.
A rapid strep test can be done in the clinic/office while you wait. If it is negative, the swab can be sent to the lab for culturing, which takes a day or two.
Rapid strep tests are quite accurate though.
If it turns out to be a virus, continue what you've been doing with ibuprofen (best if taken after she has something in her stomach to prevent irritation) or acetaminophen, and make sure she keeps up with taking in fluids, as dehydration can happen when people, especially children, have fevers.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Sore throat:
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
When I hear the combination of fever and sore throat, I advise a throat swab for strep. Fever plus sore throat can be other things too, usually viral, including flu and Epstein Barr virus, which can't be treated with antibiotics.
But given her sometimes high fevers plus a continuing sore throat, I think it best for you to take her in to have her throat looked at and a throat swab. Strep pharyngitis, if left untreated, can cause complications such as rheumatic heart disease.
A rapid strep test can be done in the clinic/office while you wait. If it is negative, the swab can be sent to the lab for culturing, which takes a day or two.
Rapid strep tests are quite accurate though.
If it turns out to be a virus, continue what you've been doing with ibuprofen (best if taken after she has something in her stomach to prevent irritation) or acetaminophen, and make sure she keeps up with taking in fluids, as dehydration can happen when people, especially children, have fevers.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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