The most dangerous throat infection is epiglottitis, caused by bacteria that infect a portion of the larynx (voice box) and cause swelling that closes the airway. This infection is an emergency condition that requires prompt medical attention. Suspect it when swallowing is extremely painful (causing drooling), when speech is muffled and when breathing becomes difficult.



Epiglottitis (infection of epiglottis) is a serious and potentially fatal disease because the swelling can result in obstruction to flow of air into lungs. The condition manifests as fever, drooling of saliva and a noise when the child breathes in (stridor). The condition requires hospitalization and intravenous medication. Sometimes it may be necessary to put a tube inside the trachea (endotracheal intubation) so that the child can breathe.

The normal precautions here to be adopted are that during the day time the affected child should take rest, avoid cough medicines (unless specifically prescribed by the doctor) and take a lot of fluids. Croup that develops because of bacteria, includes epiglottitis. Epiglottitis may becomes life threatening in some of the cases and should be taken more seriously. It can be diagnosed by a doctor and a antibiotic therapy.

Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib) - Commonly found in the upper respiratory tract (lungs and windpipe), Hib can cause infection in children under 2 years, because they do not have the necessary antibodies to fight this infection. Hib infection can cause meningitis (an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord), epiglottitis (severe swelling of the throat), arthritis and pneumonia.

A sore throat is a disease primarily located in the area around the tonsils. It is also known as pharyngitis or tonsillitis. The pharynx is the part of the throat that lies between the mouth and the larynx or voice box. It is associated most commonly with the common cold or influenza. While most sore throats heal without complications, in some cases, they develop into a serious illness.

The bacteria responsible for causing strep throat are highly contagious and they can be easily contracted by air, saliva or nasal secretions. Proper hygiene can substantially reduce the risks of infection with Streptococcus pyogenes and thus you should instruct your child to frequently wash his / her hands and avoid interacting with contaminated individuals during epidemics. In case you have become afflicted by strep throat, it is very important to properly wash eating utensils and dishes and to avoid sharing food or drinks with your child and other members of the family.

Home remedies for strep throat should be perceived as adjutants for doctor-prescribed medications, not replacements. Most home remedies and alternative therapies are very efficient in alleviating the symptoms of strep throat but have low curative effects and can't completely eradicate throat infection with streptococcus bacteria. The following remedies should only be used along with the doctor-recommended treatment to speed up the recovery from disease.

If your sore throat is severe, persists for more than 2 days, is accompanied or followed by fever, headache, rash, swelling, nausea or vomiting you should visit your doctor. If those sound like your symptoms, your sore throat is probably viral and will clear up on its own.