Dr Phil Kieran: How can I tell if my son's sore throat needs medical attention?

"When young children have a sore throat, it can be challenging to judge if it is improving or worsening and whether to consult a doctor."

My 10-year-old often complains about having a sore throat. How can I tell if it’s strep throat that requires medical attention or a normal sore throat that will clear up on its own?

Sore throats are very common and can be caused by a wide range of issues, from seasonal allergies that cause us to breathe more through our mouths at night to acid reflux, overuse of the voice (such as singing or shouting), or, more commonly, upper respiratory tract viruses.