Throat Infections in Children: Expert Advice from Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban, Pediatrician in Dubai

Throat infections rank among the most common reasons Dubai parents bring their children to myPediaClinic in Healthcare City. Whether your child wakes up complaining of a sore throat, refuses to eat due to discomfort, or develops a fever alongside throat pain, understanding these infections helps you respond appropriately and know when professional medical care is necessary. Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban, our experienced pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases and respiratory conditions, shares his expertise on recognizing, treating, and preventing throat infections in children throughout Dubai and the UAE.

Throat infections affect children of all ages, from toddlers in nursery settings to teenagers in schools across Dubai. While most throat infections resolve with simple home care or brief antibiotic courses, some require immediate medical attention. Learning to distinguish between different types of throat infections, understanding when antibiotics are necessary, and knowing how to provide comfort during illness empowers parents to care confidently for sick children while avoiding unnecessary worry or inappropriate treatment.

Understanding Throat Infections: What Parents Need to Know

The term “throat infection” encompasses several different conditions affecting various parts of the throat, each with distinct causes, symptoms, and treatments. At myPediaClinic, Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban emphasizes that accurate diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment—not all throat infections require antibiotics, and using antibiotics unnecessarily contributes to antibiotic resistance, a growing concern in Dubai’s medical community.

Anatomy of the Throat

Understanding basic throat anatomy helps parents comprehend what’s happening when children develop throat infections. The throat, medically termed the pharynx, includes several structures that can become infected: the tonsils (lymphoid tissue on either side of the throat), the pharyngeal wall (the back of the throat), and the larynx (voice box). Each area can be affected independently or simultaneously during infections.

The tonsils serve as the immune system’s first line of defense against inhaled or ingested pathogens, which is why they frequently become infected, especially in young children whose immune systems are still developing. In Dubai’s international community, children are exposed to diverse pathogens from classmates representing numerous countries, potentially increasing infection frequency compared to more homogeneous populations.

Viral vs. Bacterial Throat Infections

The most important distinction in throat infections is between viral and bacterial causes. This differentiation determines whether antibiotics will be effective and necessary. Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban explains that approximately 70-80% of throat infections in children are viral, meaning antibiotics provide no benefit and expose children unnecessarily to medication side effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Viral throat infections are caused by numerous viruses including rhinoviruses (common cold viruses), adenoviruses, influenza viruses, Epstein-Barr virus (causing infectious mononucleosis), and enteroviruses. These infections typically resolve on their own within 5-7 days with supportive care alone. Antibiotics do not shorten viral illness duration, reduce symptom severity, or prevent complications.

Bacterial throat infections, most commonly caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria (strep throat), represent 20-30% of cases and do require antibiotic treatment. Untreated strep throat can lead to serious complications including rheumatic fever and kidney inflammation, making accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment essential.

Common Types of Throat Infections in Dubai Children

Several distinct throat infections affect children in Dubai, each presenting with characteristic symptoms that help guide diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Viral Pharyngitis

Viral pharyngitis, inflammation of the pharynx caused by viruses, represents the most common form of throat infection. Children typically develop gradual onset of sore throat accompanied by other cold symptoms: runny nose, cough, mild fever (usually below 38.5°C), and sometimes conjunctivitis (pink eye). The throat appears red and inflamed but without the severe swelling or pus seen in bacterial infections.

At myPediaClinic, Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban notes that viral pharyngitis is particularly common during Dubai’s cooler months (November through March) when children spend more time indoors in air-conditioned environments with reduced ventilation, facilitating virus transmission. Nurseries and schools become hotspots for viral spread during these months.

Streptococcal Pharyngitis (Strep Throat)

Strep throat, caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria, typically affects children ages 5-15 and presents with more severe symptoms than viral pharyngitis. Children often develop sudden onset of severe sore throat, high fever (often above 38.5°C), difficulty swallowing, headache, and abdominal pain. Physical examination reveals bright red throat, swollen tonsils often covered with white patches or pus, and tender, swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

Importantly, strep throat typically does NOT include cough, runny nose, or conjunctivitis. The absence of these respiratory symptoms alongside severe throat pain and high fever suggests bacterial rather than viral infection. However, clinical symptoms alone cannot definitively diagnose strep throat—laboratory testing is necessary for confirmation.

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis refers to inflammation and infection of the tonsils specifically, which can be caused by either viruses or bacteria. Children with tonsillitis experience throat pain, difficulty swallowing, fever, and sometimes referred ear pain (pain felt in the ears despite no ear infection). Examination reveals enlarged, red tonsils, sometimes with white patches, pus, or a gray coating.

Recurrent tonsillitis—defined as multiple episodes within a year—is relatively common in Dubai children and sometimes leads to consideration of tonsillectomy (surgical tonsil removal). Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban evaluates the frequency, severity, and impact of recurrent tonsillitis on children’s quality of life when discussing whether surgery might be beneficial.

Infectious Mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis, caused by Epstein-Barr virus, primarily affects teenagers and young adults but occasionally occurs in younger children. This infection causes severe sore throat, extreme fatigue, high fever, significantly swollen lymph nodes (especially in the neck and armpits), and sometimes an enlarged spleen. The throat often appears severely inflamed with thick white coating on the tonsils, sometimes mistaken for strep throat.

Mononucleosis is sometimes called the “kissing disease” because it spreads through saliva, though sharing drinks, utensils, or close contact can also transmit the virus. Recovery typically takes several weeks, with fatigue sometimes persisting for months. Diagnosis requires blood tests showing specific antibodies or abnormal white blood cells characteristic of the infection.

Herpangina and Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease

These related viral infections, caused by enteroviruses, are particularly common in young children in nurseries and preschools across Dubai. Herpangina causes small, painful ulcers on the soft palate and back of the throat, along with fever, sore throat, and difficulty eating. Hand-foot-mouth disease produces similar throat ulcers plus characteristic rashes or blisters on hands, feet, and sometimes the buttocks.

Both infections are highly contagious and spread rapidly through childcare settings. While uncomfortable, they’re generally mild and resolve within 7-10 days without specific treatment. Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban emphasizes keeping children hydrated and comfortable during these infections, as throat pain can make eating and drinking challenging.

Symptoms That Warrant Medical Evaluation

While many throat infections can be managed at home with rest, fluids, and pain relief, certain symptoms indicate the need for professional medical evaluation at myPediaClinic or another healthcare facility in Dubai.

When to Contact Your Pediatrician

Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban recommends contacting your pediatrician if your child experiences severe throat pain preventing swallowing or drinking, high fever above 38.5°C lasting more than 48 hours, visible pus on tonsils or throat, significantly swollen lymph nodes in the neck, or rash accompanying sore throat. Additionally, children under three months with any fever should always be evaluated promptly, as young infants are at higher risk for serious bacterial infections.

For Dubai families, myPediaClinic offers convenient appointment scheduling with same-day availability for sick visits, allowing parents to have children evaluated quickly when concerns arise. Our central location in Dubai Healthcare City provides easy access for families throughout Dubai, Sharjah, and surrounding emirates.

Emergency Warning Signs

Certain symptoms indicate potential medical emergencies requiring immediate evaluation at a hospital emergency department. Seek emergency care if your child experiences difficulty breathing, excessive drooling (suggesting inability to swallow saliva), severe difficulty swallowing, stiff neck with fever, or signs of dehydration including decreased urination, dry mouth, sunken eyes, or lethargy.

A rare but serious condition called peritonsillar abscess can develop when bacterial tonsillitis creates a pus-filled pocket near the tonsils, causing severe one-sided throat pain, difficulty opening the mouth, and muffled voice. This condition requires emergency drainage and intravenous antibiotics.

Diagnosis of Throat Infections at myPediaClinic

Accurate diagnosis of throat infections combines clinical assessment with appropriate laboratory testing when indicated. Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban’s diagnostic approach balances thorough evaluation with practical, evidence-based testing to avoid unnecessary procedures while ensuring appropriate treatment.

Clinical Examination

Physical examination begins with assessing the child’s overall appearance and vital signs including temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate. Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban examines the throat using a light and tongue depressor, looking for redness, swelling, pus, ulcers, or other abnormalities. He palpates the neck to assess lymph node size and tenderness and examines ears (ear infections sometimes accompany throat infections) and checks for rashes or other systemic signs of illness.

Clinical scoring systems like the Centor criteria help estimate the probability of strep throat based on symptoms and examination findings. Points are assigned for fever, tonsillar exudates (pus), swollen tender lymph nodes, and absence of cough. Higher scores suggest increased strep throat likelihood, guiding decisions about testing and treatment.

Rapid Strep Test

The rapid strep test provides results within minutes, allowing same-appointment diagnosis and treatment when positive. A throat swab is obtained by rubbing a cotton swab across the tonsils and back of throat—briefly uncomfortable but over quickly. The sample is then tested for Group A Streptococcus antigens.

At myPediaClinic, we perform rapid strep testing when clinical presentation suggests possible bacterial infection. A positive test confirms strep throat and indicates need for antibiotic treatment. However, rapid tests have approximately 10-20% false-negative rate (missing some true strep cases), so throat cultures may be sent for children with high clinical suspicion but negative rapid tests.

Throat Culture

Throat cultures involve swabbing the throat similarly to rapid tests but sending samples to a laboratory where bacteria are grown and identified over 24-48 hours. This “gold standard” test has higher sensitivity than rapid tests but requires waiting for results. Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban typically orders throat cultures for children with negative rapid tests but strong clinical suspicion of strep throat, or when treatment fails to improve suspected strep infections.

Additional Testing

For children with atypical presentations or when infectious mononucleosis is suspected, blood tests may be ordered. The monospot test or Epstein-Barr virus antibody tests confirm mononucleosis diagnosis. Complete blood counts show characteristic patterns of white blood cells during mono infections. These tests help differentiate mono from strep throat, which is important because prescribing certain antibiotics (particularly amoxicillin) to patients with mono can cause severe rashes.

Treatment Approaches for Different Throat Infections

Treatment strategies vary significantly based on the type and severity of throat infection. Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban emphasizes individualized treatment plans that consider the specific infection, child’s age and medical history, symptom severity, and family preferences regarding medication use.

Managing Viral Throat Infections

Viral throat infections require supportive care rather than antibiotics. Treatment focuses on keeping children comfortable while their immune systems fight the infection naturally. Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban recommends several strategies for home management of viral pharyngitis.

Pain and fever control using acetaminophen (Panadol) or ibuprofen (Brufen) dosed appropriately for the child’s weight provides significant relief. These medications reduce throat pain, making eating and drinking more comfortable while also controlling fever. At myPediaClinic, our team provides specific dosing instructions tailored to each child’s weight, as proper dosing is essential for both effectiveness and safety.

Adequate hydration is crucial during throat infections. Encourage frequent small sips of fluids—water, diluted juice, warm broth, or ice pops all help maintain hydration while soothing sore throats. Cold fluids and frozen treats can be particularly comforting, as the cold provides temporary numbing relief. For Dubai’s climate, ensuring adequate hydration is especially important as children may already have increased fluid needs due to heat and humidity.

Rest allows the immune system to function optimally. Keep children home from school or nursery during acute illness, both for their recovery and to prevent spreading infection to classmates. Most viral throat infections are contagious for 3-5 days, so children should stay home until fever-free for 24 hours and feeling well enough for normal activities.

Antibiotic Treatment for Bacterial Infections

Confirmed strep throat requires antibiotic treatment to eliminate bacteria, reduce symptom duration, prevent complications, and decrease contagiousness. Penicillin or amoxicillin remain first-line antibiotics for strep throat, with excellent effectiveness and safety profiles. Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban typically prescribes 10-day courses of these antibiotics, emphasizing the importance of completing the full course even when children feel better after a few days.

For children with penicillin allergies, alternative antibiotics including cephalosporins (for mild allergies) or azithromycin (for severe allergies) provide effective treatment. Our team at myPediaClinic carefully reviews allergy histories to ensure safe antibiotic selection.

Children become non-contagious approximately 24 hours after starting antibiotics and can typically return to school or nursery once fever-free and feeling better, usually 2-3 days after beginning treatment. This quick return to normal activities represents one benefit of appropriate antibiotic treatment for bacterial infections.

Managing Mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis has no specific treatment—antibiotics are ineffective against this viral infection. Management focuses on rest, hydration, and symptom relief. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen helps control fever and throat pain. Children with mono often need several weeks to recover, with fatigue being the most persistent symptom.

An important consideration with mononucleosis is avoiding contact sports and vigorous physical activity for at least 3-4 weeks due to risk of splenic rupture. The enlarged spleen characteristic of mono can rupture if subjected to abdominal trauma, causing life-threatening internal bleeding. Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban provides specific activity guidelines based on each child’s clinical course and may order ultrasounds to assess spleen size before clearing children for sports resumption.

Treatment of Recurrent Tonsillitis

Children experiencing frequent throat infections may benefit from tonsillectomy (surgical tonsil removal). Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban follows evidence-based criteria when considering surgery, typically recommending tonsillectomy for children with 7 or more documented infections in one year, 5 or more per year for two consecutive years, or 3 or more per year for three consecutive years.

However, infection frequency isn’t the only consideration. The severity of infections, their impact on school attendance and quality of life, response to antibiotic treatment, and presence of complications like abscesses all factor into the decision. At myPediaClinic, we coordinate with excellent ENT (ear, nose, throat) surgeons throughout Dubai when tonsillectomy is recommended, ensuring continuity of care from evaluation through surgery and recovery.

Home Remedies and Comfort Measures

While medical treatment addresses the underlying infection, various home remedies and comfort measures help children feel better during recovery. Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban recommends several evidence-based strategies that Dubai parents can implement at home.

Dietary Modifications

Children with sore throats often refuse to eat due to pain, which is generally acceptable for a few days as long as they maintain adequate hydration. Offer soft, non-irritating foods that are easier to swallow: yogurt, pudding, applesauce, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, or smoothies. Avoid acidic foods (citrus fruits, tomatoes), spicy foods, and rough-textured foods (chips, crackers) that can irritate the inflamed throat.

Warm liquids like soup broth, herbal tea with honey (for children over 1 year), or warm water with lemon and honey can soothe throat discomfort. Conversely, some children prefer cold items like ice cream, popsicles, or cold smoothies. Follow your child’s preferences—the goal is encouraging adequate fluid and calorie intake while minimizing discomfort.

Humidity and Air Quality

Dubai’s climate is naturally dry, and air conditioning further reduces humidity, potentially irritating throat tissues. Using a cool-mist humidifier in your child’s bedroom adds moisture to the air, helping keep throat tissues from drying out and potentially reducing discomfort. Ensure humidifiers are cleaned regularly to prevent mold and bacterial growth.

Avoid exposing children to cigarette smoke, strong perfumes, or other airborne irritants that can worsen throat inflammation. In Dubai, where smoking remains relatively common in some communities, creating a smoke-free home environment particularly benefits children with respiratory issues or throat infections.

Saltwater Gargles

For older children who can gargle without swallowing (typically ages 6 and up), warm saltwater gargles provide temporary throat pain relief. Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and have your child gargle for a few seconds before spitting it out. This can be repeated several times daily. The salt water helps reduce throat swelling and provides soothing relief, though the effect is temporary.

Throat Lozenges and Sprays

Throat lozenges or numbing sprays containing benzocaine or similar anesthetics can provide temporary pain relief for older children. These products are available at pharmacies throughout Dubai without prescription. However, they should not be used in very young children due to choking risk (lozenges) or potential for excessive numbness affecting swallowing (sprays). Always follow age recommendations on product packaging and consult with Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban if uncertain whether these products are appropriate for your child.

Prevention Strategies for Throat Infections

While completely preventing throat infections is impossible, especially for children in school or nursery settings, several strategies can reduce infection frequency and transmission within families and communities.

Hand Hygiene

Proper hand hygiene represents the single most effective strategy for preventing infectious disease transmission, including throat infections. Teach children to wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before eating, after using the bathroom, after coughing or sneezing, and upon arriving home from school or public places.

In Dubai’s schools and nurseries, hand sanitizer stations are increasingly common, providing additional opportunities for hand cleaning when soap and water aren’t immediately available. However, hand washing with soap and water is more effective than sanitizers, particularly when hands are visibly dirty.

Respiratory Etiquette

Teaching children to cover coughs and sneezes with their elbow rather than hands helps prevent spreading respiratory infections to others. This “vampire cough” technique keeps germs off hands that might then touch shared surfaces or other people. Provide tissues for nose wiping and teach children to dispose of used tissues immediately followed by hand washing.

Avoiding Sharing Personal Items

Discourage sharing drinks, utensils, toothbrushes, towels, or personal items that contact the mouth or face. In close-knit Dubai families where sharing is culturally emphasized, this recommendation can feel counter to natural behaviors, but it significantly reduces transmission of throat infections and other contagious diseases.

Maintaining General Health

Children who get adequate sleep, eat nutritious diets, exercise regularly, and maintain up-to-date vaccinations generally have stronger immune systems better equipped to fight off infections or experience milder illness when infections do occur. While this doesn’t prevent all throat infections, it creates a foundation for better overall health and potentially reduced illness frequency.

Keeping Sick Children Home

When children develop throat infections or other contagious illnesses, keeping them home from school or nursery until they’re no longer contagious prevents spreading illness to classmates and teachers. This civic responsibility helps reduce overall infection rates in the community. Generally, children should stay home until fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication and feeling well enough to participate in normal activities.

Throat Infections in Dubai’s Unique Environment

Dubai’s climate, international population, and modern lifestyle create unique considerations for childhood throat infections that Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban addresses in his clinical practice at myPediaClinic.

Climate and Air Conditioning

Dubai’s intense heat necessitates constant air conditioning, creating dramatic temperature differences between outdoor and indoor environments. Children frequently transition between extreme heat and heavily air-conditioned spaces, which may stress immune systems. Additionally, air conditioning reduces humidity, potentially drying throat tissues and making them more susceptible to infection.

Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban recommends keeping air conditioning at moderate temperatures (around 24°C) rather than extremely cold settings, using humidifiers to add moisture, and ensuring children stay well-hydrated to compensate for Dubai’s dry climate.

International School Environment

Dubai’s international schools bring together children from dozens of countries, creating exposure to diverse pathogens that children’s immune systems might not have previously encountered. This diversity can initially increase infection frequency as children’s immune systems adapt to this broad pathogen exposure. However, over time, this exposure may strengthen immunity against various infectious agents.

Travel-Related Exposures

Dubai families often travel internationally for vacations or to visit relatives in home countries. Air travel exposes children to recirculated cabin air and close contact with passengers from various locations, potentially increasing infection risk. Long flights can be particularly challenging, as dry cabin air irritates throat tissues.

Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban suggests having children drink plenty of fluids during flights, use nasal saline spray to keep nasal passages moist, and practice good hand hygiene on planes and in airports to reduce travel-related infection risk.

Frequently Asked Questions About Throat Infections in Children

How can I tell if my child’s sore throat is viral or bacterial without seeing a doctor?

While parents cannot definitively distinguish viral from bacterial throat infections without medical evaluation and testing, certain patterns suggest one over the other. Viral infections typically include runny nose, cough, hoarseness, and conjunctivitis alongside sore throat, with gradual symptom onset and mild to moderate fever. Bacterial strep throat more commonly presents with sudden severe throat pain, high fever, no cough or runny nose, headache, and sometimes abdominal pain. However, these are guidelines rather than rules—laboratory testing remains necessary for definitive diagnosis. When in doubt, contact myPediaClinic for evaluation by Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban or our pediatric team.

Should I insist on antibiotics when my child has a sore throat?

No. Antibiotics only work against bacterial infections and provide no benefit for viral throat infections, which constitute 70-80% of cases. Unnecessary antibiotic use exposes children to medication side effects including allergic reactions, diarrhea, and yeast infections while contributing to antibiotic resistance—a serious global health threat. At myPediaClinic, Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban prescribes antibiotics only when testing confirms bacterial infection or when clinical presentation strongly suggests bacterial cause. Trust your pediatrician’s expertise in determining whether antibiotics are appropriate rather than requesting them automatically for every sore throat.

How long should my child stay home from school with a throat infection?

Children with throat infections should stay home until fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication and feeling well enough for normal school activities. For strep throat being treated with antibiotics, children can typically return to school 24 hours after starting antibiotics once fever resolves. For viral infections, children should stay home for the duration of significant symptoms, usually 3-5 days. Returning to school while still quite ill prolongs recovery and spreads infection to classmates. Dubai schools appreciate parents keeping sick children home to protect the broader school community.

Can throat infections cause ear infections?

The ears and throat connect through Eustachian tubes, small passages that equalize pressure and drain fluid from the middle ear. When throat infections cause inflammation and swelling, these tubes can become blocked, leading to fluid accumulation in the middle ear and potentially bacterial ear infections (otitis media). This connection explains why ear pain often accompanies throat infections and why Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban always examines children’s ears when evaluating throat complaints. Treatment of the throat infection often helps resolve associated ear discomfort, though separate ear infections sometimes require additional antibiotic treatment.

Why does my child get throat infections so frequently?

Frequent throat infections can result from several factors. Young children in nursery or school settings experience high pathogen exposure from classmates. Children with larger tonsils may be more prone to tonsillitis. Secondhand smoke exposure increases throat infection risk. Allergies causing post-nasal drip can irritate throats and potentially predispose to infection. In some cases, recurrent infections reflect different viral illnesses rather than the same infection recurring. If your child experiences very frequent throat infections (more than 5-7 per year), consult Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban at myPediaClinic for comprehensive evaluation including assessment of immune function, consideration of tonsillectomy, and environmental factor review.

Are there vaccines that prevent throat infections?

While no vaccine specifically prevents all throat infections, several vaccines reduce risk of certain infections that can affect the throat. The influenza vaccine prevents flu, which commonly causes throat pain among other symptoms. The pneumococcal vaccine protects against bacteria that can cause throat and tonsil infections. Keeping children up-to-date on all recommended vaccines provides optimal protection against vaccine-preventable infections. At myPediaClinic, we follow UAE vaccination guidelines and can review your child’s immunization status to ensure complete protection.

Can throat infections lead to serious complications?

While most throat infections resolve without complications, untreated bacterial throat infections, particularly strep throat, can lead to serious problems. Rheumatic fever, a serious condition affecting the heart, joints, and nervous system, can develop 2-4 weeks after untreated strep throat. Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, a kidney inflammation, represents another potential complication. Peritonsillar abscess, a pus collection near the tonsils, can develop from severe bacterial tonsillitis. These potential complications underscore the importance of appropriate diagnosis and treatment of bacterial throat infections. Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban ensures all confirmed strep throat cases receive appropriate antibiotic treatment to prevent these complications.

How much fever is too much with a throat infection?

Fever height itself is less concerning than how the child looks and acts. A child with 39°C fever who drinks well, plays when fever reduces with medication, and seems reasonably comfortable is less concerning than a child with 38°C fever who appears lethargic, refuses all fluids, or has difficulty breathing. That said, fever above 40°C, fever in infants under 3 months, fever lasting more than 3-4 days, or fever accompanied by worrisome symptoms should prompt medical evaluation. At myPediaClinic, Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban can assess children with concerning fever patterns and determine whether additional evaluation or treatment is needed.

Should I remove dairy products when my child has a throat infection?

This is a common misconception. While some people feel that dairy products increase mucus production, scientific evidence doesn’t support this belief. Dairy products actually provide valuable nutrition, calories, and fluids during illness when children may have reduced appetites. Cold dairy items like ice cream, yogurt, or milkshakes can soothe sore throats while providing needed calories. Unless your child has a true dairy allergy or lactose intolerance, there’s no medical reason to avoid dairy during throat infections. Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban encourages offering whatever nutritious foods and fluids your child will accept when sick, including dairy products.

Can my child go swimming with a throat infection?

Swimming during acute throat infection is generally not recommended. Children with fever should avoid swimming until fever-free for 24 hours. The physical exertion of swimming may be too much when children feel unwell. Additionally, chlorinated pool water can irritate already-inflamed throat tissues. From a public health perspective, sick children shouldn’t use public pools to avoid potentially spreading infections to other swimmers. Wait until your child has recovered fully, been fever-free for 24 hours, and feels well enough for physical activity before returning to swimming. This typically means waiting 5-7 days after illness onset for viral infections or 2-3 days after starting antibiotics for bacterial infections.

Does vitamin C help prevent or treat throat infections?

Despite popular belief, scientific evidence doesn’t support high-dose vitamin C supplementation for preventing or treating throat infections or colds. While severe vitamin C deficiency impairs immune function, children eating reasonably balanced diets get adequate vitamin C from foods. At myPediaClinic, Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban recommends a balanced, nutritious diet as the best approach to supporting immune health rather than megadose vitamin supplementation. Focus on fruits, vegetables, adequate protein, and overall healthy eating rather than specific vitamins or supplements.

When should tonsils be removed in children with recurrent throat infections?

Tonsillectomy criteria include 7 or more documented throat infections in one year, 5 or more per year for two consecutive years, or 3 or more per year for three years. However, numbers alone don’t dictate surgery—severity of infections, missed school days, impact on quality of life, and complications like abscesses also factor into the decision. At myPediaClinic, Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban carefully evaluates children with recurrent infections, documents infection patterns, and discusses benefits and risks of surgery with families before making recommendations. When surgery is appropriate, we coordinate with excellent ENT surgeons in Dubai to ensure optimal care.

Can natural remedies cure throat infections instead of antibiotics?

For viral throat infections, supportive care including rest, fluids, and pain relief is indeed the appropriate treatment—antibiotics provide no benefit. However, for bacterial infections like strep throat, antibiotics are essential to cure infection, prevent complications, and reduce contagiousness. Natural remedies like honey, warm tea, saltwater gargles, or throat lozenges can provide symptom relief and comfort but don’t eliminate bacterial infections. Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban supports using appropriate natural remedies for symptom management alongside medical treatment when indicated, but emphasizes that proven bacterial infections require antibiotic treatment.

Why does my child’s breath smell bad during a throat infection?

Bad breath (halitosis) commonly accompanies throat infections due to several factors. Bacteria or debris on infected tonsils produce foul odors. Mouth breathing (when nasal congestion accompanies throat infection) dries the mouth, reducing saliva’s natural cleaning action and allowing odor-producing bacteria to proliferate. Pus or dead tissue from severe infections creates unpleasant smells. The bad breath typically resolves as the infection clears. Encourage gentle tooth brushing, drinking plenty of water to maintain moisture, and saltwater gargles for older children. If bad breath persists after the infection resolves, consult your pediatrician or dentist to rule out other causes.

How can I help my child who refuses to take prescribed antibiotics?

Getting children to take antibiotics can be challenging but is essential when bacterial infection is diagnosed. Ask your pediatrician about different formulations—some antibiotics come in multiple flavors or forms that your child might accept better. Liquid antibiotics can be mixed with small amounts of juice, chocolate syrup, or applesauce to mask taste (check with your pharmacist about specific mixing guidelines). Give the medicine when your child is hungry rather than full. Offer a small treat or favorite drink immediately after medication to wash away the taste. Use positive reinforcement rather than threats. If you truly cannot get your child to take oral antibiotics, contact myPediaClinic—Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban can sometimes prescribe injectable antibiotics as alternatives for particularly resistant cases.

Is it normal for my child’s throat infection symptoms to worsen before improving?

Viral throat infections often follow a typical pattern with symptom peak around days 2-3 before gradual improvement. Some worsening is normal as the infection runs its course. However, for bacterial infections being treated with antibiotics, children should begin improving within 24-48 hours of starting treatment. If symptoms worsen despite antibiotics, fever persists beyond 48 hours of treatment, or new symptoms develop, contact myPediaClinic for reassessment. This could indicate antibiotic resistance, incorrect diagnosis, or development of complications requiring evaluation and potentially different treatment.

Can stress or lack of sleep make children more prone to throat infections?

Yes. Stress and inadequate sleep both impair immune function, potentially increasing susceptibility to infections. Children experiencing significant stress from school pressure, family difficulties, or other sources may experience more frequent infections. Similarly, children who consistently get insufficient sleep for their age have compromised immune responses. In Dubai’s fast-paced environment where academic pressure can be intense and after-school activities numerous, ensuring children have adequate downtime, stress management, and sufficient sleep (10-12 hours for young children, 9-10 hours for school-age children, 8-9 hours for teenagers) supports overall health and potentially reduces infection frequency.

Should both my children be treated if one has strep throat?

Treating family members without symptoms isn’t generally recommended. However, if another family member develops sore throat or fever, they should be tested. Sometimes Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban may test asymptomatic siblings if they’re “strep carriers”—people who carry the bacteria without symptoms but can spread it to others. This testing is reserved for specific situations like recurrent family outbreaks. Generally, practice good hygiene to prevent transmission rather than treating everyone prophylactically. The sick child should use separate drinking glasses, utensils, and towels, and all family members should practice frequent hand washing.

How long are throat infections contagious?

Contagious periods vary by infection type. Viral throat infections are typically most contagious during the first 2-3 days of symptoms but can remain contagious for up to a week. Strep throat is contagious from symptom onset until 24 hours after starting appropriate antibiotic treatment. Infectious mononucleosis has a long contagious period, potentially weeks to months, though infection risk decreases significantly after acute symptoms resolve. These timelines guide decisions about school attendance and social activities. Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban provides specific guidance based on the diagnosed infection type and your child’s circumstances.

Can throat infections affect my child’s voice long-term?

Most throat infections cause temporary voice changes—hoarseness, voice loss, or deepening—due to inflammation of the vocal cords and surrounding tissues. These changes typically resolve completely as the infection clears, usually within 1-2 weeks. However, very rarely, severe infections causing vocal cord damage or children who strain their voices excessively during illness might develop persistent voice changes. If hoarseness persists more than 2-3 weeks after other infection symptoms resolve, consult myPediaClinic for evaluation. Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban may recommend referral to an ENT specialist for vocal cord examination if concerns exist about prolonged voice changes.

Are certain children more susceptible to throat infections than others?

Yes, several factors increase throat infection susceptibility. Children in childcare or school settings experience more exposure than those at home. Children with larger tonsils have more tissue that can become infected. Exposure to secondhand smoke irritates throat tissues and impairs immune defenses. Children with allergies may have chronic inflammation making infection easier. Immune deficiencies increase infection risk and severity. In Dubai, children moving from other climates may initially experience more infections as their immune systems adjust to new pathogen exposures. If your child seems particularly prone to throat infections, discuss this with Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban—comprehensive evaluation can identify contributing factors and potentially reduce infection frequency.

Conclusion: Expert Care for Throat Infections in Dubai

Throat infections, while common and usually manageable, require accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and knowledgeable guidance to ensure optimal outcomes and prevent complications. At myPediaClinic in Dubai Healthcare City, Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban brings extensive pediatric expertise to the care of children with throat infections, combining evidence-based medical practice with compassionate understanding of children’s and families’ needs.

Whether your child develops a simple viral pharyngitis requiring only comfort measures, strep throat necessitating antibiotic treatment, or recurrent tonsillitis prompting consideration of surgery, our team provides comprehensive, family-centered care. We serve Dubai’s diverse international community with cultural sensitivity, multilingual capabilities, and appreciation for the unique challenges of raising children in this dynamic environment.

Understanding throat infections—their causes, symptoms, appropriate treatments, and prevention strategies—empowers parents to care confidently for sick children while recognizing when professional medical evaluation is necessary. At myPediaClinic, we’re partners with families in protecting and promoting children’s health, available when you need us to provide expert diagnosis, treatment, and guidance.

For children experiencing throat pain, fever, or other concerning symptoms, contact myPediaClinic to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban or our pediatric team. We offer convenient appointment scheduling, comprehensive diagnostic capabilities including rapid strep testing, and same-day sick visits to address your child’s needs promptly and effectively. Your child’s health and comfort are our priorities, and we’re here to help every step of the way.