Pharyngitis in children is more common than in adults, due to the weakness of the children's immune system. Symptoms of pharyngitis in children begin immediately - on the first or second day of illness and usually manifest as redness of the throat.
Pharyngitis can be an independent disease (with viral lesions), but much more often in children it develops a second time, that is, it is a consequence of another underlying disease.
To consolidate the therapy of acute pharyngitis during the recovery period, as well as for the treatment of chronic pharyngitis, lubrication of the pharynx with Lugol's solutions, protargol, propolis, etc. is used.
In situations where pharyngitis develops in children: treatment involves the activities described in this article.
How to treat pharyngitis in children? The disease usually resolves on its own without treatment within a few days. However, treatment can speed up the recovery of a sick child.
Pharyngitis- inflammation of the pharynx, or rather, its back wall is rarely an independent disease, but is usually a symptom of respiratory infections. Chronic pharyngitis is associated with diseases of the stomach and is often the result of reflux of gastric contents, especially at night. Such a disease lends itself well to alternative treatment, recipes based on traditional medicine can relieve perspiration, pain when coughing, symptoms.
In children under 2 years of age, pharyngitis is more severe. The disease is often combined with inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and acute catarrhal rhinitis.
And now a little about the symptoms themselves and folk treatment of pharyngitis. In acute pharyngitis, symptoms are sore throat (especially when swallowing), dry cough, mucus or pus. Acute pharyngitis often develops after hypothermia, eating cold or too hot food, inhaling irritating gases and dust. Patients complain of sore throat and perspiration, dry and sometimes painful cough. Symptoms of chronic pharyngitis are less pronounced. Patients complain of dryness or sore throat, as well as a dry, agonizing cough. With exacerbation, the symptoms of chronic pharyngitis resemble those of acute pharyngitis.
Symptoms of pharyngitis
Symptoms and treatment of acute pharyngitis in a child. Pharyngitis is a fairly common disease and occurs in a variety of forms. By localization, it can be superficial - the mucous membrane of the pharynx suffers - this is a catarrhal form. The defeat of the lymphadenoid elements, located in a deeper layer, under the mucous membrane is another form called granulosa pharyngitis.
Pharyngitis may be limited, for example, to the area of the lateral ridges and more common throughout the posterior pharyngeal wall. The nature of the inflammation can be acute, subacute and chronic. Pharyngitis can be an independent disease (with viral lesions), but much more often in children it develops a second time, that is, it is a consequence of another underlying disease. Usually such pharyngitis is a symptom of acute or subacute adenoiditis, tonsillitis, exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis.
There are complaints of discomfort in the throat ("tear"), pain, which in most cases are insignificant, but sometimes very sharp and accompanied by a rise in body temperature up to 38 ° C.
Acute pharyngitis in young children is severe, with high fever and severe general symptoms: adynamia (severe lethargy), lack of appetite, sleep disturbance, increased ESR to 25-30 mm / h. However, it must be considered that in these cases the disease should be regarded as acute adenoiditis with the corresponding symptoms.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of examination of the pharynx: there is hyperemia (redness), swelling and infiltration of the mucous membrane of the posterior pharyngeal wall, palatopharyngeal arches, and sometimes the soft palate. With lateral pharyngitis, hyperemia and swelling of the lateral folds of the pharynx are determined.
Viral pharyngitis is observed, as a rule, in acute viral respiratory diseases. Characterized by extensive bright red hyperemia, exciting palatine tonsils and soft palate. Sometimes red dots (pinpoint hemorrhages) or vesicles appear on the mucous membrane of the posterior pharyngeal wall.
Local sensations are presented for 2-3 days by a dry, irritating cough, which gradually subsides. General manifestations may be absent. When a secondary infection is attached, the signs of the disease change accordingly.
Acute pharyngitis is an acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx - a frequent manifestation of acute respiratory diseases. As a rule, with pharyngitis, children complain of pain, discomfort in the throat (burning, itching, itching), coughing, sometimes itching and pain in the ears. Infants cannot complain of malaise, but attentive parents pay attention to restless behavior, sleep disturbance, and loss of appetite. Pharyngitis can be combined with other manifestations of acute respiratory infections, such as runny nose, cough, fever, conjunctivitis.
It should be noted that acute pharyngitis is rarely an isolated disease. Usually it is combined with other diseases of the upper respiratory tract. In children under 2 years of age, the disease is more severe and often combined with inflammation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa and acute catarrhal rhinitis. In this case, symptoms of acute rhinitis will be observed - a violation of nasal breathing, abundant mucous or mucopurulent discharge from the nose.
Treatment of pharyngitis
Treatment is carried out by an ENT doctor at a polyclinic or a pediatrician.
Therapeutic measures for pharyngitis include the following manipulations.
In acute and exacerbation of chronic pharyngitis, not accompanied by severe disorders of the general condition, symptomatic treatment is sufficient, including a sparing diet, hot foot baths, warming compresses on the front surface of the neck, milk with honey, steam inhalations and gargling.
In children under 2 years old the disease is more severe and often combined with inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and acute catarrhal rhinitis.
Treatment of pharyngitis in children under two years of age involves dry warming of the neck, plentiful warm drinking and the use of mild general strengthening agents.
How to treat a child with a sore throat: It is not easy to select drugs for children, since many of the drugs that adults successfully use are contraindicated for babies, or do not have all the necessary properties. In most cases, with diseases of the throat, an erosive lesion of the oropharyngeal mucosa and the appearance of epithelial defects occur. The sooner these defects are eliminated, the sooner unpleasant symptoms will disappear and recovery will come. Conventional drugs are not able to restore the broken integrity of the mucous membranes of the oropharynx. The drugs capable of performing such a task include Derinat, which, in addition to antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and immunomodulatory properties, also has a pronounced reparative effect, that is, restores the integrity of the epithelium and its protective functions. Thanks to these properties, the drug helps at all stages of the disease. The most convenient treatment for the throat will be the use of Derinat in the form of a spray. Derinat accelerates the healing process, strengthens the immune system, and this prevents a possible recurrence of the disease.
Treatment of cough in infants and children under 1 year old at home is quite difficult. Very few folk remedies are suitable for this. The softest and safest remedy for babies is compresses. And also a massage. Compresses should not be used at elevated temperatures
Compresses for babies with pharyngitis
Honey mustard cake
This folk remedy will help cure a cough in an infant. It is necessary to mix honey, mustard powder, flour, vegetable oil, vodka equally, divide it into two parts, put it on a cloth, put it on the breast and on the back. Secure with a bandage, put on pajamas. This compress can be left overnight if cough is being treated in children under 1 year old - for two hours. And it’s even better to do this: in the first application, leave for two hours, if the child tolerated this remedy well, and there are no allergic reactions on the skin, then put this compress on all night
A cough compress for a child with honey and fat.
Mix 2 tbsp. honey, vodka, interior pork or goose fat. With this mixture, rub the child's chest, back, feet, wrap the torso with a warm diaper, put on socks and put to bed.
Potato compress.
Boil finely chopped potatoes (peelings are even better), drain the water, put them in a plastic bag, tie them, then wrap them in several layers of cloth and fix them on the chest. It is necessary to ensure that it is not hot, but pleasant. The temperature of the compress can be adjusted by layers of fabric - as it cools, remove excess layers. Warm the baby's chest for 1 hour. After a few procedures, the cough disappears.
Treatment of cough in infants
mustard wraps
Treatment of cough in infants
In addition to compresses, the treatment of cough in infants and children up to a year requires the following measures:
1. Do not limit the child's mobility - movements contribute to the discharge of sputum, help to cleanse the bronchi of mucus.
2. Take the baby in your arms more often, pat gently on the back, this will also improve bronchial drainage
3. To quickly cure a cough in a baby, let him drink warm water as often as possible.
4. Get a massage. You can use vegetable oil or massage creams to treat colds in children. You can do a light honey massage. Very helpful foot massage.
5. Humidify the air in the room where the sick baby is located, use a special device for this, in winter you can hang a damp cloth on the battery, it’s even better to go into the bath where the shower worked before. Humid air will improve the condition of the baby.
mustard wraps
Treatment of cough in children under 1 year old can be carried out using mustard wraps. It is safer than mustard plasters, which are used to treat coughs at an older age.
1 st. l. dissolve dry mustard in 500 ml of warm water, moisten gauze in 4 layers in the solution and wrap the torso of the baby, or put the fabric on the back. Wrap a towel over the top and cover with a blanket. After 5 minutes, remove the compress, wipe the skin with warm water. After 4 such procedures, a dry cough in a child passes
Treatment of pharyngitis at home
Exclude irritating food from the diet (hot, cold, sour, spicy, salty), it is recommended to drink plenty of warm drinks - tea with lemon, milk with mineral water, etc.
Treatmentpharyngitisatchildrenfolkmeans: Gargling with antiseptic, herbal solutions (for example, a solution of 1% chlorophyllipt, rotokan, sea salt, eucalyptus, etc.) 3-4 times a day after meals. True, this is possible only in children older than 2-3 years. Who already know how to gargle.
For gargling, the following herbal preparations are most effective:
1. Calendula flowers, plantain leaves, sage leaf, chamomile flowers.
2. Chamomile flowers, oregano herb, sage leaves, St. John's wort herb
3. Dandelion flowers, plantain leaves, birch leaves, pine buds.
Cooking fees 1-3:
Mix the components in equal parts. 1 tbsp collection, pour 1 cup boiling water, simmer for 3 minutes over low heat, leave for 1 hour, strain.
4. Oak bark - 2 parts, linden flowers - 1 part
5. Linden flowers - 2 parts, chamomile flowers - 3 parts
Cooking fees 4-5:
Brew 1 tsp of the mixture in 1 cup of boiling water, strain, cool.
Rinse with warm infusion 5-6 times a day.
For gargling, you can use a pharmacy tincture of eucalyptus - 20-30 drops per glass of warm water and eucalyptus oil - 15-20 drops per glass.
Irrigation of the pharynx with antiseptic or antibiotic-containing aerosols (listed by age below) 2-3 doses 2-4 times a day. Alternate gargling with herbal infusions and antiseptic solutions.
Gargling should be combined with inhalations. For inhalation, you can use an infusion of the following herbs: St. It is better to use a mixture of 2-3 herbs. The infusion is prepared as in collections 1-3.
1. Linden flowers, raspberries (if there is no allergy).
2. Raspberries - 2 parts, black currant leaves - 2 parts, coltsfoot leaves - 1 part, oregano grass - 1 part.
3. Plantain leaves, linden flowers, raspberries, anise hearths.
Preparation: pour 1 tablespoon of the collection with 1 cup of boiling water, boil for 3-5 minutes, leave for 30 minutes. Drink a decoction in 2 doses (1/2 cup) with an interval of 2 hours.
Resorption of tablets or lozenges with antibacterial, analgesic, emollient (pharyngosept, falimint, strepsils, laripront, etc.), in children over 5 years old.
Bacterial pharyngitis requires systemic antibiotics. Antibacterial therapy is justified only with a known or suspected streptococcal etiology of the disease. Unreasonable antibiotic therapy contributes to the development of resistance (resistance) to antibiotics, and can also be complicated by unwanted drug reactions. Antibiotics, if necessary, will be prescribed by a doctor!
Infants and young children cannot gargle or dissolve tablets, so they are only prescribed to drink plenty of fluids and irrigate the throat with an antiseptic. It should be noted that all aerosols should be used with caution in children under two years of age due to the possibility of spasm of the glottis.
Gargle method: take one sip of the prepared solution, clearly pronouncing the letter “O” or “E”, rinse your throat, then spit out the solution. Rinsing produce 3-4 times a day after meals.
With the flu, rimantadine is prescribed, with a herpes infection - acyclovir.
For bacterial pharyngitis, topical antibacterial drugs are prescribed - Bioparox (4 inhalations in the mouth every 4 hours) or Hexaspray (2 injections 3 times a day). The limitation of the use of these funds is the age of up to 2.5 years (laryngospasm may develop).
A good therapeutic effect is provided by Yoks, an otorhinolaryngological disinfectant containing polyvidone iodine, which, upon contact with the mucous membrane, releases active iodine. Iodine, in turn, has a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity, in addition, iodine accelerates the processes of cleansing mucous membranes from necrotic tissues (plaques). Yoks also has an anesthetic (pain-relieving) effect.
Prevention: hardening of the body, exclusion of harmful factors, restoration of disturbed nasal breathing, increase in the body's defenses (use of immunocorrector drugs)
Chronic pharyngitis is often not an independent disease, but a manifestation of the pathology of the entire gastrointestinal tract: chronic atrophic gastritis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis. The ingress of acidic gastric contents into the pharynx during sleep with gastroesophageal reflux disease and hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm is often a hidden cause of the development of chronic catarrhal pharyngitis, and in this case, without eliminating the main cause of the disease, any methods of local treatment give insufficient and short-term effect. Smoking (and passive too) and tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils) lead to the development of atrophic changes in the mucous membrane of the pharynx.
Pharyngitis often develops with constantly difficult nasal breathing. It can be caused not only by the transition to breathing through the mouth, but also by the abuse of vasoconstrictor drops that flow from the nasal cavity into the pharynx and have an unnecessary anemic effect there. Symptoms of pharyngitis may be present in the so-called postnasal drip (the English term is “postnasal drip”). In this case, discomfort in the throat is associated with the flow of pathological secretions from the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses along the back of the pharynx. In addition to constant coughing, this condition can cause wheezing in children, which requires differential diagnosis with bronchial asthma.
Topical antibacterial agents can be widely used in the treatment of pharyngitis. The choice of the optimal drug is determined by the spectrum of its antimicrobial activity, the absence of allergenicity and toxic effect. Of course, the most effective local preparations will not completely replace the need for systemic administration of antibiotics for angina and pharyngitis caused by beta-hemolytic streptococcus. On the other hand, due to the non-bacterial etiology of many forms of pharyngitis, the emergence of an increasing number of resistant bacterial strains, as well as the undesirable effects of general antibiotic therapy, local administration of drugs with a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity is in many cases the method of choice.
Treatment of pharyngitis in a child with folk remedies
For treatment of pharyngitis in children, local, symptomatic general and folk remedies that increase immunity are used.
- Mix the juice of half a lemon, 1 tbsp. a spoonful of honey and a glass (200 ml) of hot red (dry) wine. Boil for 2-3 minutes, add a little cinnamon and 1 clove bud. Infuse for 20 minutes, strain and drink hot. This is a good remedy for the first symptoms of pharyngitis(perspiration, painful cough).
- If there is a slight headache, sore throat, weakness, you need to pour very hot water into a bowl, add 20-30% decoction of pine needles or chamomile flowers and steam your legs well. Wipe them with a hard towel and immediately put on woolen socks. The next procedure is to heat the decoction of chamomile well in a saucepan, tilt your head over it, covered with a towel, and breathe in hot steam. Finally, before you go to bed, you need to drink a mug of viburnum tea with honey (mash viburnum fruits with honey and pour boiling water, rub). You can add mint, lime blossom to viburnum.
- Take 3 teaspoons of grated carrots, add chopped 1 joint of a golden mustache and 1 teaspoon of honey. Mix and keep in the mouth, sucking, pushing the tongue to the back of the throat, 5-7 minutes 1 time per day. Then spit it out. The course of treatment is 7 days.
- Eucalyptus tincture has anti-inflammatory, expectorant, strong antiseptic, analgesic effect. It is used orally for pharyngitis. 10 drops in half a glass of warm water 2-3 times a day.
- Rosehip tea perfectly strengthens the mucous membrane of the back wall of the pharynx. You need to drink this tea for 2-3 months. You can add viburnum berries, lemon balm and sage herbs to rose hips. Collection pour boiling water in a thermos at the rate of 1 tbsp. collection spoon in a glass of water, leave for 2 hours and strain. Before use, add 1-2 drops of sea buckthorn oil.
- With pharyngitis, propolis inhalations are useful: place 60 g of propolis and 40 g of wax in an aluminum bowl or mug with a capacity of 300 ml and put it in another larger bowl with boiling water. Propolis and wax will dissolve under these conditions, and the volatile substances of propolis, together with water vapor, will sublimate. Inhalations are recommended in the morning and evening for 10-15 minutes. People suffering from pharyngitis need to think about increasing local immunity. As studies in recent years have shown, with pharyngitis, the defenses of the pharynx are reduced. They can be supported with herbal infusions, teas, natural juices. At home, they are prepared from available berries, fruits, herbs and honey. Used to prevent seasonal exacerbations of the disease. Here are some recipes.
- Take a glass of raisins and cranberries, but 1.5 cups of walnut kernels and honey, 1 cup (200 ml) of vodka. Grind all solid components, pour vodka and slightly warmed honey. Mix everything. Take 1 tbsp. spoon 3 times a day one hour before meals. For a course of treatment - one portion.
Attention! Medicines containing alcohol should not be given to children and adolescents!
- Mix the juice from fresh plantain leaves with an equal amount of honey and cook for 20 minutes, store in a tightly closed vessel, take 1 tbsp. spoon 2-3 times a day.
- Take 1 teaspoon of sage herb, pour a glass of water, bring to a boil, cool, strain, add 1 teaspoon of honey. Drink at night.
- Take 5 g of rose hips (crushed), nettle herb and thyme herb. Pour 15 g of the collection with 200 ml of cold water, boil for 2-3 minutes, leave for 1 hour. Take with honey in the form of hot tea, 10 ml 2 times a day after meals. The course of treatment is 2 weeks.
- In acute pharyngitis, a hot decoction of wild apples is useful (2 tablespoons per 200 ml of water), it is recommended to take a glass 1-2 times a day for 10-20 days.
- Fresh agave juice with honey (in a ratio of 1: 1) 1 teaspoon 4 times a day is a good remedy for protracted pharyngitis.
- Take 1 tbsp. a spoonful of St. John's wort and pour 1 cup of boiling water in a thermos, leave for 1-2 hours and strain. Add 20 drops of pharmacy alcohol tincture of propolis to the infusion. Gargle 2-3 times a day, and the disease will pass.
Pharyngitis is a disease that is accompanied by a strong inflammatory process on the lymphoid tissue and mucous membranes of the throat. This pathology is often diagnosed in children and causes unpleasant symptoms.
The insidiousness of pharyngitis lies in the fact that it can be of an infectious nature and in childhood such an ailment proceeds more clearly. The progression of such a disease in the body can cause the development of many complications, so parents should know how to treat pharyngitis in children. To eliminate the pathology, both drug treatment and traditional medicine are widely used.
Causes of the disease in children
Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx, which is infectious in nature.
In most cases, pharyngitis in children and adults develops with the progression of infections of a viral or bacterial origin in the body. This leads to the development of an active inflammatory process in the mucous membranes of the throat. Most often, inflammation develops under the influence of the following groups of pathogenic microorganisms:
- influenza and parainfluenza viruses
- rhinovirus
- coronaviruses
- adenoviruses
The development of pharyngitis of bacterial origin occurs under the influence of:
- streptococci
- staphylococci
- hemophilic infection
In the event that the child's immune system is disrupted, this can provoke the development of fungal pharyngitis. In childhood, this type of disease is diagnosed with severe pathologies and enhanced treatment with antibacterial drugs.
More rare causes of the development of the inflammatory process in the pharynx are:
- allergic reactions
- injuries of various nature
- performing a surgical intervention
- penetration of foreign objects
- exposure to the mucous membrane of the throat of potent drugs
The likelihood of developing pharyngitis increases when the child's body is exposed to the following factors:
- severe hypothermia
- decrease in the protective functions of the body
- progression of chronic diseases
- increased concentration of irritants in the air
Another important reason for the development of chronic pharyngitis is the penetration into the pharynx of the contents of the stomach during regurgitation, reflux, vomiting and hiatal hernia.
Chronic pharyngitis can occur with the progression of inflammatory processes in the nasal cavity, tonsils and paranasal sinuses in the child's body. Pathology can be provoked by constant breathing through the mouth due to nasal congestion, as well as long-term treatment with vasoconstrictor drops. The fact is that such drugs fall on the back wall of the pharynx and thereby cause severe irritation of the mucosa.
Symptoms of pathology
Dryness, itching, sore throat and high fever are signs of pharyngitis
Pharyngitis in children causes the following symptoms:
- discomfort in the throat
- strong and itching and burning
- the appearance of pain during swallowing
- sore throat
- rise in body temperature up to 38 degrees
Medical practice shows that in young children, pharyngitis is quite difficult. There is a rise in body temperature and a deterioration in the general condition, which is complemented by a pronounced lethargy of the baby. Often pharyngitis is combined with the course of a disease such as adenoiditis, as evidenced by a decrease in appetite, the appearance of problems with sleep and increased ESR in the body.
To make a diagnosis, a specialist examines the child's pharynx and notes the following signs of the disease:
- pharynx turns bright red
- mucosa becomes edematous and infiltrated
- palatine arches and soft palate become inflamed
- the mucosa of the posterior pharyngeal wall becomes granular
With further progression of pharyngitis, staining of the lateral ridges in the pharynx occurs. Children are often diagnosed with pharyngitis of viral origin, which is characterized by a bright red throat with the appearance of hemorrhages and vesicles on the back of the pharynx. Local signs continue for 2-3 days, an irritating cough and dry cough appear, which gradually subside.
In some cases, there may be no general signs of the disease, but a secondary complication develops in the form of tonsillitis or adenoiditis.
Sometimes patients complain of the appearance of referred pain in the ears, which is considered one of the symptoms of pharyngitis. Medical practice shows that this disease is most severe in young children and causes the development of complications.
Why is the disease dangerous?
The most dangerous complications after pharyngitis are autoimmune pathologies that develop as a result of increased sensitivity of the child's body to pathogenic microorganisms that provoked the disease.
In fact, pharyngitis does not pose a serious danger to the body, but its progression and lack of effective treatment can cause many complications.
The greatest danger is streptococcal pharyngitis, the progression of which in the body causes various complications. The most common among purulent complications are:
- retropharyngeal abscess develops with the accumulation of pus in the region of the lymph nodes and tissue of the retropharyngeal space
- peritonsillar abscess is characterized by inflammation of the tissue around the tonsils, where ulcers appear
In young children, complications may develop as a result of damage to the nasopharyngeal region in the form of sinusitis and rhinitis. In addition, after pharyngitis can be diagnosed:
- tracheitis
- bronchitis
- conjunctivitis
The most dangerous complication is inflammation of the membranes of the brain, which experts call meningitis and encephalitis.
Features of the treatment of pharyngitis in children of different ages
Medications for the treatment of pharyngitis in a child are prescribed by a doctor after an examination
In the smallest children under 1 year old, the disease is too painful and at that age they still do not know how to gargle on their own. If parents suspect acute pharyngitis, it is necessary to seek the advice of a specialist. In the absence of high body temperature and an allergic reaction, it is allowed to apply a honey-mustard compress to the throat area. In addition, it is possible to treat the pharynx with antiseptic agents without menthol and alcohol.
Experts recommend the following treatment regimen for pharyngitis in young children: it is necessary to crush the Faringosept tablet well, dip the nipple in it and offer it to the child. It is recommended to take the child in your arms and lightly pat him on the back, which helps to improve drainage in the bronchi.
In children aged 1-2 years, pharyngitis is also quite difficult, but not as intense as in infants. Treatment of the disease involves:
- organization of sufficient drinking regimen
- in the absence of contraindications, compresses can be done
- carrying out inhalations with a nebulizer with saline or Borjomi water
At this age, the treatment of pharyngitis can be carried out using antiseptic drugs in the form of a spray, for example, Yoks or Givalex. Such medicines have a disinfecting effect on the throat and speed up the child's recovery process. It is recommended to constantly ventilate the room where the child is located and monitor the maintenance of the required humidity.
With the development of pharyngitis in children older than 3 years, bed rest and the use of a large amount of liquid that contains alkali are necessary.
In addition, it is necessary to organize a sparing diet and completely exclude fried and sweet foods from the child's diet.
To treat the disease, you can make compresses based on honey, applying them to your legs. A good effect is given by hot foot baths and inhalations with a nebulizer. It is recommended to gargle with special antiseptics purchased ready-made in a pharmacy. You can prepare solutions for gargling yourself at home by dissolving 2-3 drops of Furacilin and iodine in 30 ml of warm water. This mixture must be brought to room temperature and offered to rinse the child.
A good result is the use of such antiseptic preparations as Yoks and Givalex. In the event that the child already knows how to dissolve medicines in the form of tablets, then you can offer him:
- Pharyngosept
- Septolete
- Angisept
The use of antibacterial drugs in the treatment of pharyngitis in children remains a rather controversial issue. There are many situations when it is possible to cure the disease without the use of antibacterial drugs. Despite this, in severe forms of pharyngitis, antibiotics simply cannot be dispensed with, and especially in those situations where there is a threat to the life of the child or an advanced stage with atrophied mucosa is diagnosed. Most often, antibiotics are prescribed when diagnosing a viral, bacterial or infectious disease.
More information about pharyngitis can be found in the video:
Experts say that the best option in the treatment of pharyngitis is the use of antibacterial drugs, not a broad spectrum of action, but local remedies. Such drugs do not adversely affect organs such as the heart, kidneys and liver.
In order to enhance the effectiveness of antibacterial agents, it is recommended to combine their intake with corticosteroids. A good effect is the treatment of pharyngitis with drugs such as Geksoral, Biseptol and Bioparox.
Treatment of pharyngitis in children can be carried out by laser exposure to the pharyngeal mucosa. In the event that the disease enters an advanced stage, then it is prescribed:
- cryodestruction of side rollers and granules
- cauterization with silver nitrate
- radio wave quenching
In some cases, the treatment of the inflammatory process in the pharynx is carried out by surgical intervention. The specialist works with a laser on purulent granules and overgrown mucous membranes, but healthy tissue is not affected.
Traditional medicine against the disease
In order for the treatment of pharyngitis to be more effective, it is necessary to use both medication and folk remedies.
It must be remembered that the treatment of pharyngitis in children with folk remedies is carried out only after consultation with a specialist. Independent use of various herbal decoctions, infusions, bee products can lead to undesirable consequences for children's health.
At home, you can make a honey compress on your feet according to the following scheme:
- it is necessary to melt bee honey to a liquid consistency in a water bath
- with such honey, you should lubricate the child's feet and wrap them with several layers of gauze
- for a stronger effect of the drug, it is recommended to wear warm socks
- keep such a compress on your feet for 20-30 minutes
In the treatment of acute pharyngitis, you can use herbal decoctions to gargle. With their help, it is possible to get rid of pain, reduce the severity of the inflammatory process and alleviate the general condition of the child. To prepare herbal decoctions, you can use:
- camomile
- lavender
- sage
- raspberries
- eucalyptus
- marshmallow
Such herbal decoctions have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect on the inflamed tissue of the larynx, and it is necessary to gargle with their help until the child is completely cured.
A good effect is given by a folk remedy made from tomato juice and carefully chopped garlic. It is recommended to use this medicine every day after lunch for 7 days. It should be remembered that treatment in this way is contraindicated in patients with problems of the gastrointestinal tract.
Pharyngitis is not considered too dangerous a disease, but its consequences can pose a serious threat to the health of the child.
It is for this reason that when the first signs of the disease appear in a child, it is necessary to show it to a specialist. Proper nutrition, fortification of the body, increasing the protective properties of the body and timely vaccination helps to avoid infection with such a pathology.
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Pharyngitis is an inflammatory process localized on the back wall of the pharynx. The main symptom of this disease, which the child may complain to parents, is pain and discomfort in the throat. In most cases, pharyngitis develops against the background of acute respiratory infections, together with other catarrhal processes in the nasopharynx and upper respiratory tract, much less often as an independent pathology. It occurs in children of all ages. The smaller the child, the more severe the course of the disease and the more difficult the choice of medicines.
- Causes of the disease
- Types of pharyngitis
- Symptoms
- Features of symptoms depending on the cause
- Features of symptoms in young children
Diagnosis of the disease Treatment of pharyngitis
- Medications
- Folk remedies
- Features of patient care
Possible complications and prevention 
Causes of the disease
Pharyngitis in children can develop as an independent disease or be the result of some other. In most cases, inflammation of the pharynx occurs against the background of damage to the body by acute respiratory viral infections (influenza virus, parainfluenza, adenovirus, rhinovirus, coronavirus) and other viruses (cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus). Less commonly, bacterial pathogens (streptococci, staphylococci, Haemophilus influenzae and diphtheria bacillus, meningococci) become the cause of pharyngitis. The greatest risks of pharyngitis exist in children attending kindergartens and schools in the autumn-winter period during seasonal epidemics of influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections.
The following factors can contribute to the development of the inflammatory process on the back of the pharynx:
- difficulty in nasal breathing, leading to inhalation of cold, unpurified air through the mouth and drying of the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat;
- posterior rhinitis, in which infected mucous secretions do not exit through the nasal passages when blown out, but flow down;
- hypothermia;
- weakening of local immunity;
- frequent use of vasoconstrictor drops in the treatment of a runny nose, flowing down from the nasal cavity, irritating the mucous membrane of the posterior pharyngeal wall and reducing its protective properties;
- exacerbation of certain chronic diseases (rhinitis, adenoiditis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, stomatitis, caries);
- removal of palatine tonsils, accompanied by atrophic changes in the mucous tissue of the pharynx;
- lack of vitamins (A and group B);
- gastroesophageal reflux, as a result of which the contents of the stomach often enter the pharynx, which has an irritating effect on its mucous membrane.
Sometimes the causes of pharyngitis are allergic reactions that occur in response to an allergen entering the mucous membrane of the throat. Inflammation of the pharynx can also be caused by mechanical damage to its mucosa by foreign bodies or surgical operations, exposure to chemical solvent vapors, dust, tobacco smoke, and hot air. Also, inflammation of the pharynx develops as a result of eating too hot, rough, spicy or sour food.
Types of pharyngitis
Taking into account the etiological factor, pharyngitis in adults and children can be infectious (viral, bacterial, fungal), traumatic, allergic, or caused by contact of the pharyngeal mucosa with irritating factors. Treatment of the disease directly depends on its type.
By the nature of the course, the disease occurs in acute or chronic form. In the first case, children have acute inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa. Chronic pharyngitis is a sluggish inflammatory process that lasts several months or more and is characterized by phases of remissions and exacerbations. Most often, it occurs as a result of not fully cured acute pharyngitis or as an independent disease due to prolonged irritation of the pharyngeal mucosa by aggressive factors.
Depending on the severity of the inflammatory process, chronic pharyngitis is:
- simple, or catarrhal, manifested as hyperemia of the pharyngeal mucosa;
- granulosa, or hypertrophic, accompanied by the growth of tissues affected by the inflammatory process;
- atrophic, accompanied by drying out or thinning of inflamed tissues;
- mixed, in which pathological changes in the mucous membrane characteristic of the hypertrophic and atrophic types are simultaneously present on the back of the throat.
Symptoms
Symptoms of pharyngitis in children differ depending on the form of the disease and the severity. A characteristic sign of acute inflammation is:
- redness and swelling;
- sharp pain in the throat, markedly aggravated by swallowing, especially hard and hot food;
- an increase in body temperature up to 38 ° C;
- hoarseness of voice;
- coughing due to a sensation of perspiration and soreness on the pharyngeal mucosa;
- irradiation of pain in the ears (if the inflammation affects the tubopharyngeal ridges).
In chronic pharyngitis, the symptoms are less pronounced, there is dryness and sore throat. This form of inflammation is not characterized by an increase in temperature and a change in the general condition and activity of the child. However, during exacerbations, the symptoms of chronic pharyngitis intensify and are similar in clinical picture to acute pharyngitis.
With granular chronic pharyngitis, a viscous coating of thick mucus accumulates on the back of the pharynx, red swollen plaques form, the submandibular lymph nodes can be enlarged and painful on palpation, and there is a pulling pain in the back of the head.
The atrophic form of chronic pharyngitis in children is diagnosed extremely rarely. It is characterized by pallor and dryness of the throat mucosa, the formation of crusts on it, which are dried mucus, and the appearance of a vascular pattern on the back of the pharynx.
Features of symptoms depending on the cause
With pharyngitis that occurs against the background of SARS, the inflammatory process spreads to the entire pharynx, including tonsils and soft palate. It is often accompanied by a runny nose, conjunctivitis, cough, gastrointestinal disorders.
Pharyngitis caused by pathogenic bacteria is characterized by a prolonged course, headache, fever, tonsillitis. When the throat is affected by fungi, cracks and erosions form on its mucosa and in the corners of the mouth, a characteristic white curdled coating appears on the back of the pharynx, and the posterior cervical lymph nodes increase.
If the cause of pharyngitis is an allergen on the mucous membrane of the throat, then it manifests itself in the form of a dry cough, not accompanied by fever and severe sore throat.
Features of symptoms in young children
Parents can suspect pharyngitis in infants who cannot yet express themselves and show where they hurt, according to the following signs:
- capriciousness, tearfulness;
- anxiety and poor sleep;
- occasional coughing;
- loss of appetite and regurgitation after feeding;
- temperature rise to 39°C.
For young children less than 2 years of age, acute pharyngitis is difficult. If it is caused by acute respiratory viral infections, then it is combined with acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx, runny nose, cough, accompanied by a rise in body temperature, general weakness and lethargy, and a decrease in appetite.
Diagnosis of the disease
If pharyngitis is suspected in children, parents should consult a doctor. Self-diagnosis and self-treatment are fraught with complications, and the younger the child, the more serious they can be. Confirmation of the presence of an inflammatory process on the mucosa of the posterior pharyngeal wall, as well as its form and causes, is established on the basis of:
- complaints of the child or parents, if the child is small;
- examination of the oral cavity and throat (pharyngoscopy);
- palpation of the lymph nodes in the neck;
- the results of bacteriological culture of a swab from the pharynx.
With pharyngitis, there is moderate redness, swelling and infiltration of the posterior pharyngeal wall, palatopharyngeal arches, and less often the soft palate.
A sore throat can be a symptom of not only pharyngitis, but also tonsillitis, measles, scarlet fever. Unlike pharyngitis, angina is characterized by rapid dynamics in the development of the clinical picture. The next day, a purulent plaque and plugs appear on the tonsils, their redness and increase in size are observed, the body temperature rises sharply to 40 ° C.
Treatment of pharyngitis
Preparations and procedures for the treatment of pharyngitis in children should be prescribed by the local pediatrician or pediatric otolaryngologist, taking into account the age of the patient, the cause of the disease and the severity of the patient's condition. Treatment is carried out at home. In uncomplicated forms of the disease occurring against the background of SARS, the inflammatory process subsides on its own within a few days.
Medications
In acute pharyngitis and exacerbation of chronic pharyngitis in children, the following drugs are used for treatment:
- preparations for the preparation of solutions for gargling (rotokan, furatsilin, chlorophyllipt);
- solutions for lubricating the inflamed mucosa (protargol, Lugol's solution);
- lozenges and lozenges with antiseptic, emollient and analgesic effects (lysobact, septefril, pharyngosept, strepsils, imudon);
- sprays and aerosols for irrigation of the pharynx (hexaspray, inhalipt, yox, tantum verde, cameton, miramistin);
- antibacterial drugs locally, less often systemically (with a well-established bacterial etiology of the disease and determining the sensitivity of the pathogen to specific antibiotics);
- immunomodulating drugs for pharyngitis against the background of acute respiratory viral infections (viferon, laferobion, immunoflazid, aflubin);
- solutions for inhalation (buffer soda, decasan, saline);
- antipyretics based on paracetamol or ibuprofen when the temperature rises above 38 ° C.
For the treatment of pharyngitis in a child under 3 years old, sprays and aerosols are not used, since when injected they can provoke a reflex spasm of the larynx and an asthma attack, as well as gargling due to the difficulty of independently performing this procedure for babies.
With fungal pharyngitis in children, treatment consists in treating the throat with local antifungal drugs. Inflammation of the pharynx caused by an allergic reaction is treated by taking antihistamines in the form of tablets, drops or syrups (Fenistil, Erius, Zyrtec, Cetirizine, Zodak).
Folk remedies
From folk methods of treatment for pharyngitis, after consulting a doctor, children can do steam inhalations and gargles with decoctions of medicinal plants (chamomile, sage, calendula, eucalyptus, St. John's wort, oak bark), which have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and healing effects. For rinsing, a simple saline solution is also used (1 teaspoon of salt per glass of water).
At night, you can give the patient warm milk with honey or mineral water, which will have a warming and softening effect. However, before using such folk remedies, you should make sure that the child is not allergic to the herbs and honey used.
Features of patient care
Of great importance for the speedy recovery of the child is a plentiful warm drink (mineral water without gas, tea, compote, berry fruit drinks) and fresh moist air, to which the well-known pediatrician Komarovsky E.O. pays special attention. All this will contribute to effective moisturizing and cleansing of the affected pharyngeal mucosa.
To reduce injury and irritation of the inflamed throat mucosa during the period of illness, the child should follow a sparing diet. It is not recommended to give him too rough, hard, spicy, salty, sour, hot or cold food.
Video: Children's ENT about the symptoms and treatment of pharyngitis
Possible complications and prevention
In the absence of timely and proper treatment, acute pharyngitis in children can lead to complications, the main of which are:
- the transition of the disease to a chronic form;
- the spread of infection to the lower organs of the respiratory system (laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis);
- peritonsillar and pharyngeal abscess;
- autoimmune diseases (rheumatism);
- angina.
To reduce the risk of pharyngitis in children in acute or chronic form, it is necessary to follow simple preventive measures that are aimed primarily at increasing immunity and minimizing contact with potential pathogens. These include regular walks in the fresh air, good nutrition and rest.
Hypothermia should be avoided. In the room where the child lives, it is important to create a normal level of humidity and temperature conditions (cool moist air), to exclude contact with polluted air, tobacco smoke, dust. It is necessary to treat rhinitis, sinusitis, adenoiditis in a timely manner to prevent prolonged nasal congestion and forced breathing through the mouth, as well as to prevent contact with sick people during seasonal SARS epidemics.
In the throat itchy and sore, it hurts to swallow, low temperature - these are signs of pharyngitis. In this disease, inflammation affects the back of the throat, but does not affect the tonsils, unlike tonsillitis. You can get sick with pharyngitis after hypothermia, it is often a component of acute respiratory infections along with a runny nose. The most common cause is viruses, but bacterial pharyngitis also occurs. If everything is done correctly, then this disease passes quickly and imperceptibly for the child's body.
Causes of pharyngitis
Most cases of pharyngitis are caused by viruses that enter the lining of the throat. How the disease will proceed depends on the state of local immunity: the virus can gain a foothold in the tonsils, causing tonsillitis, but can only affect the throat - pharyngitis. If the virus came from the nose, having previously disabled it, doctors call it " nasopharyngitis».
Sometimes pharyngitis is caused by bacteria such as streptococcus or mycoplasma (rare). In this case, its course may become longer, the symptoms are more pronounced, the temperature is high. If the doctor detects streptococcus, you will need to give the child antibiotics. But do not do this with viral diseases!
Symptoms of pharyngitis
The classic symptoms of pharyngitis are a sore throat and pain when swallowing. Middle-aged children often complain about this. Babies, unfortunately, cannot tell their mother that they are in pain, but they become more capricious, sleep poorly, cough.
Cough may accompany pharyngitis as a symptom, but if the inflammation is limited to the pharynx, it will never be severe. Rather, it can be called the word "cough". A strong cough suggests that the infection has gone down - causing tracheitis, laryngitis or bronchitis.
How to distinguish pharyngitis from tonsillitis
Sore throat with pharyngitis is moderate, appears only when swallowing food (not water), especially hot or hard. It is not pain that is constantly present, but an unpleasant sensation in the throat - “sore”. With angina, unlike pharyngitis, the sore throat is constant, and when swallowing it intensifies, and it does not matter what the child is trying to swallow - food or water.
The next important difference between pharyngitis and tonsillitis is the dynamics of body temperature. When the tonsils are affected, it rises quickly and high, sometimes up to 40 degrees, and often a white coating appears the next day. And pharyngitis usually begins with a sore throat, and only then, or at the same time, the temperature rises slightly. It is worth noting that with streptococcal tonsillitis, the temperature can also rise very high.
In general, pharyngitis in its pure form is quite rare. Usually it is combined with a runny nose and acute respiratory infections.
How is pharyngitis diagnosed?
To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor must examine the child's throat. With pharyngitis, it is moderately red, the tonsils are not enlarged. The back wall of the pharynx may be granular. With a bacterial infection, pus may appear on it, but this happens quite rarely.
Tests for pharyngitis are usually not needed. They make sense if the doctor suspected some more serious disease, a symptom of which may be pharyngitis. Most often, a swab is taken from the pharynx and checked for the presence of two diseases - streptococcus and diphtheria. If these tests are confirmed, the baby will be prescribed antibiotics and may be admitted to the hospital.
Can a mother look at a child's throat herself? Of course it can. But without sufficient experience, she is unlikely to distinguish pharyngitis from tonsillitis and be able to understand the severity of the disease.
Chronic pharyngitis
If pharyngitis lasts more than 2 weeks, it is called chronic. In the case of long-term pharyngitis, you should consult a doctor. Its reasons may be:
Accession of a bacterial infection;
mononucleosis (with enlarged lymph nodes);
foreign body in the throat or its consequences;
irritation of the throat by environmental factors: very dry air in the apartment, air pollution with tobacco smoke, exhaust gases, dust, etc.;
breathing through the mouth in the presence of allergies;
adenoids;
chronic runny nose, in which mucus from the nose flows down the back of the throat, irritating it and causing pharyngitis.
How to treat pharyngitis
Since most pharyngitis is viral, we cannot act directly on the cause of the disease. The child's body must cope with the virus itself. Our efforts will be aimed at alleviating unpleasant symptoms: perspiration, pain, high fever, as well as giving peace and strength to recover from a sore throat.
Gargling- Helps relieve discomfort and reduce swelling. The safest rinse is salted warm water. Put one teaspoon of salt in a glass of water, rinse at least 3 times a day. Not suitable for small children.
warm drink- warm tea, fees, herbal infusions. Fluid helps prevent dehydration, which makes all diseases worse. In addition, a warm drink relieves sore throat with pharyngitis. Talk to your pediatrician about which herbs are best for your child.
Humidification in the room- you can use a humidifier, and if it is not available, then a large open container of water. Dry air irritates the child's throat and nose, causing a runny nose and sore throat. However, everything is good in moderation, you should not turn the room into a greenhouse or tropical jungle.
Temperature drop- if it rises above 38 degrees, and the child feels bad at the same time. Over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used.
Do not use antibiotics for pharyngitis without a doctor's prescription. Most cases of pharyngitis are caused by viruses, and antibiotics do not work on them. Uncontrolled use of antibiotics can lead to complications, as well as the development of microbial resistance to these drugs.
Aerosols from the throat can be used in children older than 2 years. In young children, this should not be done, since there is a risk of causing a complication - a spasm of the glottis with the development of acute respiratory failure. Carefully choose an aerosol (spray), preferably without alcohol and very harsh irritants, so as not to cause discomfort in the child.
Lozenges with an anesthetic component will help relieve a sore throat. Before use, make sure that the child is not allergic to the anesthetic. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about this.
Sometimes with pharyngitis, combined with a runny nose, it makes sense to instill vasoconstrictor drugs (nazol, xylometazoline, etc.) into the child's nose. They reduce swelling of the mucous membrane and the amount of mucus discharge. Mucus stops draining into the throat and does not provoke pharyngitis. Talk to your doctor about medications. Do not use vasoconstrictor drugs for longer than 3-4 days in a row because of the possibility of addiction and rebound effect.
In treatment chronic tonsillitis the most important thing is not drugs, but to eliminate adverse environmental factors:
protect the child from air pollutants, tobacco and other types of smoke, dust;
monitor the humidity in the room and maintain it at 50-60% with a humidifier;
it is necessary to regularly walk with the baby in any weather, except for days when the child has a high temperature.
The more time a child spends outdoors, the healthier they grow and the more strength they have to fight infections. Remember that, as one book says, "in good weather, children are great outside, but in bad weather, it's good."
This is a fairly common ailment among children. And in the autumn-winter season, the incidence of pharyngitis increases significantly. This is facilitated by low air temperature, hypothermia of the body and a decrease in immunity. Being able to recognize pharyngitis in the initial stages is an important skill for parents, because the health of their child depends on it.
Reasons for the development of pharyngitis
Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx. Pharyngitis rarely occurs in isolation and is often observed along with or. The cause of pharyngitis are microorganisms: all kinds of viruses, bacteria and even fungi. But often the culprit for the development of pharyngitis is precisely the viruses (and, and, the RS virus). Basically, pharyngitis in children is a manifestation.
It is not difficult to suspect pharyngitis in a child. Yesterday the baby was still active, and the next day he was already lethargic, coughing and complaining about a sore throat.
In this situation, the mother can ask the baby to open her mouth and examine his throat. With pharyngitis, the mucous membrane of the pharynx and the back wall of the pharynx are red, swollen. At the same time, it is important to pay attention to the palatine tonsils, are there any changes on them? If it is possible to detect raids on the tonsils, it means that the child has.
Why can't you self-medicate?
Pharyngitis is not such a harmless disease as many people think. With early detection and adequate treatment, the child will recover very quickly. However, the lack of proper treatment can lead to the formation of complications. So, in young children, pharyngitis is often complicated.
Of particular danger is bacterial streptococcal pharyngitis. The absence of specific antibacterial treatment in this case can lead to the spread of infection. This is fraught with the development of such complications as:
- Peritonsillar abscess;
Principles of treatment of pharyngitis in children
A child with suspected pharyngitis must be shown to the pediatrician. Only the attending physician can confirm the diagnosis, prescribe the necessary therapy.
Treatment of pharyngitis can be local and general. At the same time, it is very important to create comfortable conditions and peace for the child, to follow the regimen and diet.
Local treatment of pharyngitis
Local treatment involves a local effect on the inflamed mucous membrane of the pharynx. This can be achieved by gargling, irrigating the throat, or sucking drugs. eliminates inflammation and promotes a speedy recovery. But this method of treatment is only suitable for older children who can independently gargle and not choke.
Gargle four times a day after meals. To do this, use solutions, chlorophyllipt, eucalyptus, sea salt. Parents need to remember that these herbal alcohol solutions are very concentrated. That is, the drug must be diluted with the required amount of water before use. In addition, as an auxiliary method of treatment, you can resort to folk remedies. So, gargling with a decoction or reduces inflammation of the pharynx.
In the complex treatment of pharyngitis in older children, absorbable dragees and lozenges are also used (Strepsilis, Faringosept, Falimint, etc.). These dosage forms eliminate inflammation, soften the irritated mucous membrane of the pharynx, and some of them even have an analgesic effect. Now pharmaceutical companies add flavoring additives to the composition of lollipops, so that children are happy to be treated with them.
But irrigation of the oropharynx with sprays can be used as a treatment for children over the age of three years. To do this, parents ask the child to open their mouth wide and press the spray dispenser once or twice. Pediatricians recommend irrigating the baby's oropharynx after he eats. This approach minimizes the effect of the drug on the child's gastrointestinal tract. For pharyngitis, a wide variety of sprays with antiseptics are used, such as Yoks, Givalex, Kameton, Ingalipt, etc.
Diet for pharyngitis
In addition to using medications, it is important to make sure your child is drinking enough fluids. Firstly, toxins from viruses and bacteria are released from the body with fluid, which contributes to a speedy recovery. Secondly, the liquid helps to eliminate the dryness of the pharyngeal mucosa.
note
The fluid should be at a comfortable temperature, neither hot nor cold. You can give your child plain warm water or compote, herbal tea.
During the illness of the child, it is necessary to feed such food that will not cause damage and irritation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx. Preference should be given to mushy and liquid foods. In this case, the dishes should be warm. It is also worth eliminating spices and spices from the diet.
General treatment of pharyngitis
In some cases, the doctor may prescribe systemic drugs to the child that will affect the causative agent of the disease. As noted above, viruses are often to blame for the development of pharyngitis. However rarely used for pharyngitis.
It’s another matter if the child’s pharyngitis is caused by bacteria, for example, in this case, you can’t do without. As a rule, antibiotics are prescribed in the form of tablets from the group of penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides. Antibiotic therapy helps the body fight off a bacterial infection and prevent complications from developing.
Pharyngitis is an acute respiratory disease, manifested by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the pharynx.
The reasons
More often the disease is of viral origin. It can be provoked by the influenza virus, parainfluenza, rhinosinticial virus, adenovirus, parvovirus, coronavirus, etc. Cases of bacterial pharyngitis are not uncommon. The most common bacteria are staphylococci, streptococci, and pneumococci. Less often, infection with fungi (mainly of the genus Candida) leads to the development of inflammation.
Predisposing factors
- General hypothermia. Most cases of the disease are recorded after a general hypothermia of the child's body;
- local hypothermia. Often pharyngitis occurs in children who love to eat ice cream, chilled drinks, cottage cheese and yogurt from the refrigerator;
- decrease in immunity. During periods of prolonged stress (for example, when passing exams), after strenuous physical exertion, during diets, the body's resistance to various infections decreases.
- foci of chronic infection. Dental caries, chronic inflammation of the palatine tonsils, the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses are all foci of infection. With the flow of blood or lymph, the microorganisms that cause these diseases can disappear into any organ (including the throat) and lead to its inflammation;
- early childhood. Acute pharyngitis is more often diagnosed in children of preschool and primary school age. After 10-12 years, the incidence of them becomes lower.
Symptoms
Acute pharyngitis is manifested by sore throat when swallowing, fever, weakness, increased fatigue. With adenovirus infection, pharyngitis is combined with inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eyes, mucous or purulent discharge from them. With enterovirus, abdominal pain, vomiting, loose stools additionally appear. With an infection caused by a coronavirus, a small punctate rash may appear on the patient's body, which disappears after recovery from SARS.
In young children, the general symptomatology prevails: they become lethargic, capricious. Their sleep worsens, appetite disappears, the temperature rises.
Diagnostics
In most cases, the diagnosis is made immediately after the examination. The back wall of the pharynx becomes edematous, acquires a bright red color. Often thick, white mucus flows down it from the nose (with nasopharyngitis). There may be graininess in the posterior wall.
With pharyngitis, regional groups of lymph nodes become inflamed: cervical, submandibular, chin. They increase in size, become more dense. When examining them, the patient may experience a feeling of soreness.
In a clinical blood test, inflammation is detected: the level of leukocytes rises, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) increases, a shift appears towards young forms of leukocytes. According to the increase in the level of neutrophils, one can assume a bacterial cause of the disease, according to an increase in the number of lymphocytes, a viral etiology.
To establish a specific type of pathogen, the discharge from the back of the pharynx is sown. The sensitivity of the microorganism to different groups of antibiotics is determined.
Treatment
- Plentiful drink. Drinks with a high content of vitamin C are recommended: cranberry juice, blackcurrant compote, orange drink. If the child does not drink them, then mineral water without gases, warm tea, juices will do.
- Vitaminized, easily digestible food. Given that the main symptom of pharyngitis is a severe sore throat when swallowing, hard, irritating foods should be excluded from the child's diet.
Recipe for the occasion::
The baby should receive the first meal every day. It is better if it is light, chicken soup without frying.
Of the second courses, it is better to give preference to mashed potatoes, steamed cutlets, milk porridges.
Fruits (especially oranges, tangerines, kiwi) and vegetables are recommended in large quantities. - Antiviral therapy. In many cases, pharyngitis is a manifestation of SARS, so antiviral drugs are successfully used in its treatment.
In young children, funds produced in the form of rectal suppositories are widely used. This is Viferon, Kipferon. The course of treatment is 5 days.
From 6 months of age, Anaferon for children, Ergoferon are allowed for use. They are accepted according to a special scheme. On the first day, the child should receive 7 tablets, on the second and subsequent days, the drug is used 1 ton * 3 times a day. Tablets dissolve in water and are given to the child, regardless of the time of the meal.
From the age of 3, it is possible to take tablets: Kagocel (treatment course 4 days), Arbidol (5 days).
- Antibacterial therapy. In cases of suspicion of the bacterial nature of the disease (an increase in the level of neutrophils in the blood, the ineffectiveness of antiviral drugs for 3 days, etc.), it is necessary to start taking antibiotics.
Children under one year old are often prescribed Flemoxin-Solutab (in the form of soluble tablets for oral administration), Augmentin, Sumamed, Suprax (in the form of suspensions for preparing syrup). At an older age, these drugs are prescribed in tablets.
In case of severe intoxication (high temperature, severe drowsiness of the child, serious abnormalities in blood tests), injectable antibacterial drugs (for example, Ceftriaxone, Cefazolin, Amikacin) are recommended.
- Topical preparations.
Drops for oral administration
These drugs include Tonsilgon-N. This is the only topical mucosal treatment approved for use in children under one year of age. It is available in the form of drops, which are dosed depending on age. The drug has a combined herbal composition. Like all tinctures, Tonsilgon-N is produced on alcohol. The alcohol contained in it is not absorbed into the general bloodstream of the child, but has only a local warming effect on the tonsils and pharyngeal walls.
Medicinal aerosols
They include various antiseptics. Most aerosols are approved for use from 5 years of age. This is due to the fact that when treating the oral cavity with a spray in a young child, respiratory arrest may reflexively occur. However, if the child does not belong to the group of allergy sufferers, then these drugs may be recommended to him before the specified period.
Of the aerosols for pharyngitis, Miramistin, Geksoral, Tantum Verde, Lugol (based on iodine), Bioparox are most often prescribed. Bioparox has a local antibacterial effect, so its use is justified in bacterial infections. Miramistin spray, which does not have an obvious medicinal taste and smell. It tastes like water. Children tolerate it well. Miramistin can be prescribed from an early age. The only condition for its use is the ability of the child to open his mouth wide at the request of an adult. Otherwise, instead of irrigating the back of the pharynx, which becomes inflamed with pharyngitis, the parents will only treat the back of the tongue.
Solutions for rinsing
Solutions can be herbal and made independently or medical.
To prepare a solution at home, common chamomile, calendula, linden flowers are well suited. These medicinal plants have a mild antiseptic effect. Rinse the oropharynx with such infusions or decoctions 5-6 times a day.
Of the specialized rinses, an aqueous solution of Furacillin, Chlorhexidine is widely used. Increasingly, with pharyngitis, Hexoral is used in solution, which has a wide range of actions (including it has an antifungal effect), Miramistin.
Preparations for resorption
Lozenges, tablets for local treatment are prescribed for children from 4-5 years of age. These drugs include Grammidin, Faringosept, Falimint.
They have a certain medicinal taste, so everything here depends on the organoleptic characteristics of the drug and the individual preferences of the child. For example, Pharyngosept has a more pleasant, sweet taste, and children dissolve it more readily than others.
Prevention
- exclude general and local hypothermia of the child,
- minimize contact with sick people,
- pay attention to hardening, strengthening immunity,
- timely and correctly conduct therapy for viral infections,
- do not self-medicate, especially uncontrolled intake of antibacterial agents.
Pharyngitis is a respiratory disease that every person suffers at least once in a lifetime. It is important to competently approach its treatment, it is better if a qualified pediatrician or a pediatric otolaryngologist (ENT) deals with this.
With the wrong therapeutic approach, intermittent (non-course) use of antibiotics, and irregular local treatment, it is possible to artificially form the resistance of microorganisms to the therapy received. In the future, it will be much more difficult for such a patient to choose an effective treatment, and the risk of an acute form of the disease becoming chronic will increase significantly.
Pharyngitis is an acute infectious disease, the cause of which in most cases is viral. With the onset of the cold season, the likelihood of developing this disease increases dramatically, especially in pediatric practice. Especially for readers of “Popular about Health”, I will consider how to treat pharyngitis in a child of 3 years old at home.
Pharyngitis - features of the disease
Pharyngitis should be understood as an inflammatory lesion of the mucous membranes of the respiratory oropharynx. As mentioned above, in most cases the disease is viral in nature.
Pharyngitis rarely occurs as an isolated disease. As a rule, inflammation spreads to neighboring anatomical structures: tonsils, larynx, nasal passages, middle ear, and so on.
The causative agent of infection is most often influenza viruses, parainfluenza, adenoviruses, rhinoviruses and some other pathogenic microorganisms. In rare cases, the disease can be caused by bacteria or fungi. The option is not excluded when a bacterial infection is superimposed on an initially viral disease.
The provoking factors for pharyngitis include the following conditions: prolonged stay in a dusty room, a decrease in the body's defenses, hypothermia, and some others.
Symptoms of pharyngitis
The main symptom of acute pharyngitis is a sore throat and pain, as well as a dry cough. There is an increase in temperature to 38 degrees. If pharyngitis occurs against the background of an infectious disease, then the following symptoms will be observed: intoxication of the body and breathing complications. Visually in the pharynx, the mucous membrane is red; its ulceration is possible.
In chronic pharyngitis, the symptoms are smoothed out, less pronounced. Among them are perspiration, a feeling of dryness, dry cough. Exacerbation of chronic pharyngitis resembles its acute form.
With pharyngitis, symptoms of otitis media and soreness of the teeth are possible.
Treatment for pharyngitis
Treatment of pharyngitis in children should be comprehensive, especially in early childhood, when the body is not yet able to effectively fight the infection. As a rule, etiotropic (antibacterial or antiviral) therapy is prescribed in extreme cases, for example, with purulent inflammation or with severe intoxication of the patient.
In all other cases, pediatricians do not seek to use antibacterial drugs. With pharyngitis, local antiseptics can be prescribed, most of which are sold without a doctor's prescription. For example, Miramistin spray or Strepsils, Faringosept and some others tablets.
Gargling
As a rule, at the age of 3 years, the child can already gargle. However, it is strongly recommended to do this under the supervision of an adult. To do this, it is best to use special antiseptic solutions sold in pharmacies.
If there are none, you can prepare an antiseptic yourself. To do this, you need to take 30 milliliters of boiled water, add 3-5 drops of furatsilin and 2 drops of iodine solution to it.
For gargling, you can use decoctions of medicinal plants. They suppress inflammation very well and cope with pain very well. The following healing infusions are most effective: eucalyptus, chamomile, lavender, sage, mint, raspberry, and so on.
Inhalations
Inhalation is a very effective and at the same time completely safe procedure, since in this case medicinal substances are delivered directly to the focus of the infectious lesion.
The time-tested old-fashioned way prescribes the inhalation of boiled potato vapors or just hot water. The effectiveness of this procedure is still unquestioned. However, there are also more modern methods.
Experts advise with pharyngitis to pour physiological sodium chloride solution or table mineral water into the nebulizer. The second option is even more preferable, since the mineral water contains many salts, in a concentration sufficient to suppress inflammatory reactions.
Optimum air humidity
It is also important to prevent the air from drying out in the room where the sick child is located. At low humidity, the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract additionally suffers, which contributes to the aggravation of the symptoms of the disease and slows down the recovery of inflamed tissues.
To normalize the humidity of the air, you should use special household humidifiers or more expensive devices called air washers. Pediatricians recommend keeping the humidity in the 60 to 70 percent range.
Water consumption mode
In infectious diseases, it is strongly recommended to drink more liquid, of course, if there are no contraindications (heart and kidney disease). Firstly, the liquid will remove toxins, which will improve the general condition of the patient, and secondly, the water will not allow the inflamed mucous membrane to dry out, which will shorten the duration of the disease.
You need to give your child water to drink with ordinary water, table mineral water or fruit drinks. Drinking sweet sodas and industrial juices is strongly discouraged. They contain a large amount of simple sugars, preservatives and food coloring.
Antipyretic therapy
Body temperature should be reduced only if it exceeds 38.5 degrees. Fever in this case is exclusively negative. Moreover, it is very dangerous, because it can be accompanied by clouding of consciousness, convulsions, vomiting, severe headache, and so on.
An increase in temperature below 38.5 degrees must be regarded as a positive development. In this case, the activity of most parts of the immune system increases, which increases the body's resistance.
For a child aged 3 years, paracetamol preparations are indicated in children's dosages. In addition, preference should be given to syrup, because it has a pleasant smell and sweet taste.
Conclusion
Be healthy!
Tatyana, www.site
Video "What is pharyngitis, its symptoms and how to treat"
