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Throat Infection in Babies: Causes, Symptoms, Remedies

Team AckoJan 30, 2025

Every parent’s worst fear is watching their baby endure the pain of a throat infection. The distress your little one experiences can be heartbreaking, and it’s natural to feel powerless. In these moments, you’re likely flooded with questions: What’s causing the discomfort? Is it something serious? How can I help my baby feel better?

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Contents

Causes Of Sore Throat In Babies
Baby Throat Infection Symptoms
Throat Infection Remedies In Babies
Medical Guidance: When to Seek Help and How To Prevent Sore Throats in Babies
- When to See a Doctor
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions
Caring for Your Baby’s Future with Term Insurance Plan

Throat infections in babies are common. However, catching the symptoms early can help prevent your child’s sore throat from becoming more severe or leading to complications.
A throat infection can significantly disrupt your baby's routine, affecting their feeding and sleep. Fortunately, effective remedies can help alleviate their discomfort. By treating the infection promptly, you can help your baby feel better and ensure they continue to receive adequate nutrition.

Causes Of Sore Throat In Babies

Throat infections in babies are common and can cause discomfort, fussiness, and feeding difficulties. Understanding the causes is crucial for ensuring your little one’s swift recovery and comfort. These include:

1. Viral infections: These are the leading cause of sore throat in babies. The most common viruses that cause throat infections in babies are the cold virus, adenovirus, influenza (flu) virus, coxsackievirus, and herpes virus.

2. Bacterial infections: These are caused by Streptococcus (strep throat) and Corynebacterium diphtheriae (diphtheria). Both lead to a severe sore throat. These infections should be treated in the hospital and might involve the use of antibiotics to prevent other complications.

3. Allergies: Irritants in the air, such as pollens, particles of wheat flour, second-hand tobacco smoke, cat or dog fur particles, and pollution, can lead to an itchy and sore throat and trigger cold-like symptoms known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever.

4. Gastroesophageal reflux disease: In this condition, the baby’s poorly developed lower oesophagal sphincter does not close properly. Stomach acids and other contents flow upwards and cause constant irritation to the throat, leading to chronic throat infection.

5. Dry air: Laying babies in an area with dry air, especially during winter when heaters are in use, dries up the mouth of the baby. The dryness can cause irritation and scratchiness in the throat, which makes it uncomfortable for babies.

6. Irritants: Environmental irritants can be cigarette smoke or chemical fumes. This can also cause inflammation in the throat. Babies are easily irritated by such substances and may trigger already-present throat problems or start new ones.

Baby Throat Infection Symptoms

If you see inflamed mucus lining or a dark-red hue at the back of the mouth, it is a symptom of sore throat in babies. Here are some more symptoms to help identify a throat infection in babies:

Inability to feed or difficulty in swallowing

In babies, the sore throat will cause inflammation of the mucus membranes, thus causing difficulty in swallowing. The baby may cry and have trouble taking breast milk or other liquids. Also, your baby will show sudden aversion towards eating.

White patches in the throat

There may be white patches in your baby’s throat and enlarged tonsils. These patches are made from white blood cells that defend the body against pathogens. Persistent white patches may indicate a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, requiring medical attention.

Swollen lymph glands

A throat infection in babies can be noticed from swollen lymph glands, indicating that the body is fighting against the infection. These glands, usually felt around the neck, may also be tender or warm.

Hoarse voice or wheezing noise

Infants produce a wheezing noise if their chest is congested with a cough. Older infants who can speak a bit will have a hoarse tone due to the inflammation of the tonsils.

Irritable and restless child

A sore throat and the inability to swallow or feed will make your child restless and irritable. His restlessness increases due to lack of sleep and hunger. Comfort measures, such as soothing liquids or warm compresses, can help alleviate some of the discomfort.

Fever and bad breath

Depending on the cause of the infection, your baby may have a fever along with a sore throat. Also, due to the inability to feed, your baby will have a dry mouth and, consequently, bad breath.

Throat Infection Remedies In Babies

Humidify the Air

Dry air in the room will make it difficult for your child to swallow while sleeping. Turn on the humidifier in your baby’s room to add moisture to the surroundings. You can also sit in a steamy bathroom with your baby to soothe their sore throat.

Cool down

Give your baby a frozen washcloth, frozen breastmilk or formula popsicle to soothe the throat. The cold temperature numbs the irritation, providing temporary relief from pain and swelling.

Breastfeed Frequently

Offer as much breastmilk as you can. Breastmilk has antibodies, which help your baby fight infection. It will keep your baby hydrated and soothe a sore throat. Frequent breastfeeding keeps your baby hydrated, promotes faster recovery, and provides comfort.

Offer fluids

If your baby is above 6 months old, give them warm liquids like water, pulse soups, and vegetable or chicken broth, which provides nutrition and eases the pain of a sore throat. Warm fluids will thin the mucus and help it to drain. Do not give fruit juice as it can increase the soreness.

Medical Guidance: When to Seek Help and How To Prevent Sore Throats in Babies

Experts recommend avoiding medication for a sore throat in babies unless the problem is severe. Seek medical help if the sore throat is accompanied by fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, red blisters around the baby's mouth, dizziness, or excess mucus discharge. Do not apply any home remedy like tulsi or honey on your baby if he or she is less than 6 months of age.

A sore throat caused by the common cold or bacteria may resolve in a couple of days, but it may last longer if it occurs due to herpes. Therefore, it is recommended to prevent your baby from getting a sore throat.

Keep the surroundings clean around the baby to prevent them from any infection or allergy. Clean the toys and the baby’s hands, which they tend to take in their mouth. Keep them away from persons suffering from colds and the flu. Additionally, do not take your child outside if it is dusty.

When to See a Doctor

Symptoms are present for more than three days.
The baby has trouble breathing or swallowing.
Signs of a bacterial infection, such as a high fever and severe pain, may indicate a more serious underlying condition.
The sore throat is accompanied by fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, red blisters around the baby's mouth, and excess mucus discharge.

Conclusion

Babies get throat infections frequently, which can cause significant discomfort and disrupt daily activities. Early detection of symptoms and some prompt remedies, like humidifying the air, breastfeeding, and some soothing fluids, can help ease your baby's aching throat and support recovery. Prevention is key - maintain proper hygiene, minimise exposure to allergens, and seek medical attention as soon as symptoms worsen. With the right care, your baby will soon feel better and be their happy self again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s a list of FAQs about Throat Infection in Babies: Causes, Symptoms, Remedies

What are the common causes of throat infections in babies?

Viruses are the most common cause of a throat infection and include the common cold or influenza. Other causes are bacterial infections, which include strep, allergens, irritants such as smoke, and acid reflux.

What are the symptoms of a throat infection in babies?

The symptoms might be difficulty in swallowing, drooling, swollen lymph glands, white patches in the throat, hoarseness of voice, wheezing, fever, irritability, and poor feeding.

How do I treat my babies when they have a sore throat at home?

Use humidifiers to keep the air moist, provide cool or frozen items such as frozen breast milk popsicles to soothe discomfort, and breastfeed frequently to keep your baby hydrated and comforted.

When should I see a doctor for my baby's throat infection?

See a doctor when your baby has a fever, cannot breathe well, refuses to take their feed or fluids, and when symptoms last for more than three days. White spots or swollen lymph nodes call for medical attention, too.

How can I prevent my baby from getting throat infections?

To protect your baby from throat infections, prioritise good hygiene, especially frequent handwashing. Minimise exposure to sick individuals and ensure a smoke-free environment. Breastfeeding is also important as it provides antibodies that boost your baby's immunity.

Caring for Your Baby’s Future with Term Insurance Plan

Throat infection is a common concern found in many babies. You can contact a paediatrician to treat this issue effectively if it is severe. Similar to focusing on kids' health, you, as parents, must also safeguard the financial security of your kids through insurance. Your baby’s future can be safeguarded financially with the help of a term insurance plan in India. This life insurance plan will cover your family's daily expenditures and keep you financially sound.

If you want to select the best plan accurately, use a term insurance calculator. It works as a helpful tool to know the coverage amount that fits your financial needs. You can choose the best term insurance plan for 1 crore to cover all your future needs of the dependants. It helps you create robust financial planning and maintain financial stability for the future.

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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.

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