“How long does a sore throat last for a child?”

The duration of a sore throat is almost entirely dependent on its cause. "Pharyngitis" -- the medical term for a sore throat, can be caused by infection or by non-infectious inflammatory processes. Determining the specific cause of the sore throat is key to prescribing the correct treatment. Strep throat is the most common bacterial cause of a sore throat, can only be reliably diagnosed by a throat swab, and is best treated with amoxicillin. Various viruses can cause a sore throat -- either from the coughing and runny nose that go along with it, or from the virus itself. Many times, the specific virus cannot be identified by a test -- symptoms, physical exam, and a NEG strep test will make this diagnosis. Antibiotics like Zithromax or Amoxicillin do NOT treat this type of sore throat and should NOT be prescribed. Allergies and stuffy nose/mouth breathing at night can also cause a sore throat -- the treatment for this may be anti-allergy medications, humidifier, etc. See your pediatrician to identify the specific cause of your child's sore throat, which will then direct the treatment and the expected duration.

Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP

Three to four days.

It is according to what is causing the sore throat. Most are viral and last a few days. Mono is viral but can last weeks. Strep throat can last several weeks especially if it is not treated/ Some cases of sore throat can come with nasal drainage from allergies or from reflux. These can continue until underlying problem is treated. If symptoms persist she should be checked