How Do I Minimize Pain in Children with Tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis, the inflammation of the tonsils, causes a sore throat and difficulty swallowing. Tonsillitis is common in children ages 5 to 15. It is caused either by a virus or a bacteria. If caused by a virus, it cannot be treated with antibiotics. There are some things that you can do to ease the pain for your child while waiting for the symptoms to pass. Recurring tonsillitis or cases where sleeping, breathing or eating is made difficult due to enlarged tonsils may cause your doctor to recommend a tonsillectomy, a surgical procedure in which the tonsils are removed.

Things You'll Need

• Television
• Children's Books
• Soup
• Tea
• Saltwater
• Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen
• Humidifier
• Lozenges
• Ice Pops

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Instructions

• 1

  Encourage your child to rest. Even if you have to distract your child by allowing him to watch television or read in bed, it's best.

• 2

  Offer your child plenty of liquids, especially soup or tea to ease the pain of the sore throat.

• 3

  Have your child gargle with saltwater, if she knows how gargle. Children usually can be taught to gargle around age 5 or 6. To see if your child can gargle, have them practice with plain water.

• 4

  Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease the pain and to keep the fever down, if he has one.

• 5

  Turn on a humidifier. Dry air aggravates sore throats.

• 6

  Give your child something to suck on. Throat lozenges are good for children who are not at risk for choking. A cold ice pop may help too.