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“Do not be concerned; it is common for children to have a decreased appetite during a respiratory illness.” While true, this dismisses the parent’s concern without providing guidance or reassurance about what to do.

“Try offering favorite foods. Maybe that will improve the appetite.” This may help later, but the immediate priority is hydration, not forcing food. Favorite foods alone don’t address the risk of dehydration.

“You need to force your child to eat whatever you can; adequate nutrition is essential.” This is not therapeutic. Forcing food may increase stress, lead to negative associations with eating, and doesn’t address the main concern which is adequate hydration.

Antibiotics are not indicated for viral infections. Antibiotics do not treat the common cold and may contribute to resistance.

Avoiding day care is not realistic or necessary unless the child has a fever or severe symptoms. Children can return when they are comfortable and fever-free.

Clear liquids restriction is not required. Children should continue their normal diet with increased fluids if tolerated. Restricting diet does not improve recovery.

Gargling with salt water is appropriate supportive measure to soothe throat discomfort and reduce inflammation.

Offering ice chips is helpful for hydration and numbing throat pain. This is safe and recommended.

Giving Tylenol every 4–6 hours as needed is correct for pain relief and fever management, within safe dosing guidelines.

Bedrest without intervention is incorrect. Strep throat requires antibiotics and untreated cases risk rheumatic heart disease and kidney involvement.

Tonsil removal is not the first-line treatment. Tonsillectomy is reserved for recurrent infections or complications, not a single episode.

Hospital admission with IV antibiotics is reserved for severe cases, inability to tolerate oral medications, or complications. Routine strep throat can be safely treated at home with oral antibiotics.

Forty-eight hours after the first documented normal temperature is too restrictive. The key factor is antibiotic therapy, not just temperature.

Forty-eight hours after the first dose of antibiotics is unnecessarily long. 24 hours after initiation of antibiotics is sufficient for the child to return to school.

Twenty-four hours after the first documented normal temperature overlooks the role of antibiotics in halting infectivity.