Thousands of verified Experts are ready to answer your specific questions 24/7.
Satisfaction is guaranteed and you pay your Expert only if you are satisfied.
Just type your detailed question and click "Get an Answer."
In minutes you'll get a response from an Expert. You can always ask follow-up questions.
Happy with your answer? Just click "Accept" to pay your Expert.
My son has had a sore throat for 9 days now, that seems to be getting worse. He had a strep test done on day 4 and it was negative. He doesn't have a fever. I don't know if I should take him back in, or just ride it out. He woke up at 3 in the morning crying because it hurt so bad. He's 9.
Gender: MaleAge: 9 Already Tried: Tylenol, Advil, throat lozenges, tea and honey, salt water gargle and humidifier.
HelloCustomer
Welcome to JustAnswer.
How long ago did he have the test done? Does he have any other symptoms of illness besides the sore throat?
He had the test done last Tuesday. He has a little bit of a stuffed up nose.
Usually, a sore throat that is caused by a virus will clear up within a week. Sore throats that last longer could be something else. It may have started as a virus, but developed a "complication" of a bacteria infection or tonsillitus that needs further treatment.
Use a flashlight and see if you can look at the back of his throat to see he tonsils (on the sides of the back of the throat). If there are white patches there, he may have tonsillitus.
He should see his doctor, as he may need an antibiotic now to get over this.
In the meantime, to help his throat pain you can alternate child doses (appropriate for his age) of acetaminophen (tylenol) and ibuprofen (motrin) every 2 to 3 hours. But if you do this make sure to write down each dose so you do not go over the recommended amounts in a 24 hour period of each medication. Make sure he drinks plenty of fluids with this as well.
He is old enough to gargle. Have him gargle with 1 teaspoons of salt mixed in a cup of very warm water. This will soothe his throat temporarily and also clean all the mucous and debris out of the back of his throat.
He should see his doctor as soon as you can get him in.
Nurse (RN)
36+ yrs exprience medical, surgical, wound/skin care, nutrition, geriatrics, rehab, management