The majority of sore throats experienced by children are caused by viral infections and will clear up on their own without treatment, other than treating the associated discomfort and symptoms and may include mouth gargles, lozenges, and pain-relieving medications until the infection has passed.
Strep throat, common among children and teens, however, is caused by a bacterial infection and is accompanied by fever, swollen lymph glands in the neck, red swollen tonsils, pain on swallowing, loss of appetite, nausea, and headache.
The treatment for strep throat is an antibiotic cover, and this is important to prevent complications such as rheumatic heart disease later in life.
Some strains of strep throat can lead to a scarlet fever type of rash that first appears on the neck and chest and spreads to the rest of the body and has a sandpaper feel.