Health A-Z

Medical Content Created by the Faculty of the
Harvard Medical School

Sore Throat (Pharyngitis)

Prevention

While it's impossible to prevent all infections, you can help to decrease exposure and spreading:

• Wash your hands frequently, especially after blowing your nose or after caring for a child with a sore throat.

• If someone in your home has pharyngitis, keep his or her eating utensils and drinking glasses separate from those of other family members. Wash these objects thoroughly in hot, soapy water.

• If a toddler with pharyngitis has been chewing or sucking on toys, wash these objects thoroughly in water and disinfectant soap, then rinse well.

• Promptly dispose of any dirty tissues from runny noses and sneezes, and then wash your hands.

• Do not allow a child who has been diagnosed with strep throat to return to school or day care until he or she has been taking antibiotics for at least 24 hours and symptoms have improved.