Dear parent,
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
I can understand your concerns. Pain in the throat can be due to various reasons. The most common cause is a viral pharyngitis. Drinking cold fluids can decrease the local immunity as well as impair ciliary motility. Hence, drinking of very cold fluids can predispose to viral or bacterial pharyngitis. Presence of tonsillar enlargement increases the propensity for catching an infection. Recurrent exacerbations of tonsillitis are common in children of this age group.
As of now, as he is a febrile, a simple saline gargling can benefit your son immensely. Ask your son to gargle warm saline thrice daily, five times each.
You could use soothening agents like lozenges, honey, etc. Warm water will also have the same effect. There is no need for any antibiotics.
If he develops fever, any other constitutional symptoms, he needs to be seen by a pediatrician for presence of signs of strep pharyngitis.
Regards
Dr. Saptharishi L G