Sore throats are common, especially during cold mornings, dry seasons, or flu outbreaks at school. But for school-going children, even mild throat issues can cause more disruption than we realise.
What this means for kids
They miss school because of sore throats more often than we think. A child who normally participates goes quiet. They skip group work because it hurts to talk or they fall behind because they missed a few days. A sore throat might seem small, but for a child trying to learn, speak, and grow, it matters.
When to Pay a Bit More Attention
It’s easy to brush off a sore throat, especially in children. Maybe it’s from shouting during breaktime or the dry morning air. But sometimes, that scratchy throat could be a sign of something more, like strep throat (caused by a pretty nasty bacteria). With the high rate of strep throat in Africa, sore throats shouldn’t be ignored. Symptoms of a throat infection might include:
· Feeling hot or having a fever
· Sore or upset stomach
· Feeling tired or low on energy
· Blocked nose or runny nose
· Red or swollen throat and tonsils
· White spots or patches in the throat or on the tonsils
· Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck
If your child’s sore throat lasts more than 3-10 days, comes with a rash or the symptoms listed above, it’s important to see a healthcare worker.
Simple Ways to Support Children’s Throat Health
Most sore throats get better with rest, warm drinks, and some trusty throat lozenges. For school:
· Encourage regular water breaks, especially during dry season
· Teach kids how to cover their cough (elbow, not hand!)
· Emphasize the importance of handwashing as a means to prevent germs spreading
· Avoid sharing foods and drinks
So, what can we take from all this? Not every sore throat is dangerous, but it’s good to check in with a healthcare worker if it isn’t getting better. Let’s help kids stay in school, feel better sooner, and keep those little voices strong.
References
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167527319336897# https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5501010/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10962789/ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8274-sore-throat-pharyngitis https://www.healthline.com/health/dry-throat
