Pharyngitis is a serious disease of the upper respiratory tract that occurs not only in adults but also in children. And many doctors have their own methods of treating this pathology. As statistics show, in babies, such an ailment develops much more often due to a weakened immune system.

As a rule, the disease is caused by viruses, so you need to give the body the opportunity to overcome the disease on its own. In this regard, therapy will be aimed only at reducing the symptoms of pharyngitis.

Sore throat

One of the distinguishing symptoms of pharyngitis can be called pain in the throat, which is not easy to treat. It can have a different character, depending on this, medicines will be selected. It is worth noting that it is much easier to treat an adult than a child, since not all drugs are allowed to be used by small patients.

An effective remedy for pharyngitis is Derinat, which has a comprehensive effect on the body, in particular:

1. antiviral;
2. immunomodulating;
3. antifungal;
4. antibacterial.

Due to such a variety of properties, this drug will be effective at any stage of the disease. It is best to use it in the form of a spray so that the medicine gets directly onto the walls of the larynx. This prevents the risk of re-infection and strengthens the immune system.

The most difficult thing is to treat infants up to a year, as they refuse to take medication. Many parents will say: what about traditional medicine? For small children, recipes retold by our grandmothers will be contraindicated due to age.

However, compresses and massages are allowed. But it is worth remembering that compresses can only be used at normal body temperature.

In order to prevent pain, it is allowed to use Lugol's solution, lubricating the larynx with it. The medicine can be made at home. for this it is necessary to mix honey and aloe in equal proportions. Lubricate the throat with the finished preparation three times a day for 10 days. You can prepare another remedy, which is allowed to be treated according to the same method. To prepare it, you will need a teaspoon of propolis tincture, a tablespoon of honey and two tablespoons of peach oil.

Medicines

Treatment of pharyngitis in children is not difficult to carry out if the presence of the disease is detected in time and all recommendations of the attending physician are followed. It is not necessary to take potent drugs, healing can also be done at home.

The path of spread of pharyngitis is airborne or household. A child can become infected in a kindergarten, school, on the street or from sick relatives, including through toys and household items. The peak of the disease falls on the transitional seasons and winter.

Causes

As an independent disease, acute pharyngitis in childhood occurs when infectious agents - viruses or pathogenic microorganisms - enter the mucous membrane. In addition, this disease can be one of the symptoms of any other pathologies of the respiratory organs and other systems.

Most often, the inflammatory process of the oropharynx is provoked by a viral infection. The main pathogens are herpes viruses, influenza, enterovirus and others. Microorganisms that cause pharyngitis include Haemophilus influenzae, streptococci, diplococci, and many others. Viral pharyngitis in childhood accounts for about 70% of all cases, the remaining 30% are bacterial.

As a concomitant symptom, pharyngitis accompanies diseases such as mononucleosis, acute respiratory viral infections, scarlet fever and others. Less often, the cause of inflammation in the oropharynx in babies of 1 year of age is foreign objects that damage the delicate mucous membrane.

There are predisposing factors that provoke the inflammatory process. These include hypothermia, chronic exposure to irritants (for example, sharp food or dust), vitamin deficiency, anomalies in the structure of the respiratory tract, and various endocrine diseases.

Symptoms

During acute pharyngitis, several characteristic symptoms can be distinguished:

• Pain in the throat, especially when swallowing;
• Dryness in the mouth.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Perspiration and rawness in the oropharynx.
• Attacks of dry cough, which are often accompanied by lacrimation.
• When the vocal folds are involved in the pathological process, the child's voice is hoarse, its timbre changes.
• Increase in body temperature. This symptom is especially typical for babies in the first years of life.
• Nausea, refusal to eat.
• Sleep disturbance and general weakness.

The onset of pharyngitis is usually gradual - first there is a tickle and dryness in the throat, after which the body temperature rises slightly. In the event that the inflammatory process covers the tonsils, the child begins with all the ensuing symptoms, for example, the appearance of plaque. In acute pharyngitis, the pain in the throat is usually moderate, aching, aggravated by swallowing, with angina, the pain is more intense.

In the case when pharyngitis occurs against the background of a viral infection, the body temperature is often quite high. In children of the first year of life, the general signs of the disease are more pronounced - fever is noted, appetite disappears, sleep is disturbed, profuse salivation, swallowing disorders, rashes on the body, and indigestion are noted.

Which doctor deals with the treatment of pharyngitis in children?

For the first time, pharyngitis is usually treated by a local pediatrician. With the development of complications or frequent repeated episodes of the disease, it is recommended to consult an ENT doctor.

Diagnostics

As a rule, it is not difficult to establish pharyngitis in children due to the presence of characteristic symptoms. For diagnosis, a specialist visually examines the oral cavity and oropharynx, palpates the lymph nodes, pays attention to the ears, nasal passages, and measures the temperature of the child's body.

With frequent recurrences of the disease, the doctor takes a swab from the throat in order to identify the pathogen and draw up the correct treatment plan. Conduct differential diagnosis with diphtheria, catarrhal tonsillitis and other inflammatory diseases.

An additional diagnostic method is pharyngoscopy - examination of the oropharynx using a special device. With pharyngitis, hyperemia of the mucous membrane can be noted, a pronounced vascular pattern on the back of the pharynx and palate.

Treatment

As a rule, pharyngitis in children requires only local treatment that alleviates unpleasant symptoms. General therapy is necessary for a frequently occurring bacterial infection, when the causative agent of the disease is identified. With local therapy, it is required to exclude from the child's diet all irritating foods - spicy, sour, hot and too cold food. To speed up recovery, it is necessary to give the baby as much warm drink as possible - fruit drinks, compotes, teas.

Local treatment consists of a whole range of activities:

• Gargling with antiseptics and decoctions of herbs - chamomile flowers and St. John's wort, iodine-salt solution.
• Treatment of the back wall of the throat with anti-inflammatory drugs - for example, Lugol's solution.
• Injection of anti-inflammatory sprays - Ingalipt, Geksoral and others.
• Softening and analgesic lozenges - Stopangin, Faringosept, Falimint, Strepsils and others.
• For small children who do not know how to gargle on their own, treatment is carried out with the help of a plentiful warm drink.

With a high risk of attaching a bacterial infection, antibacterial drugs are included in the complex treatment. As a rule, the course of taking antibiotics is 10 days. The drugs of choice in pediatrics are penicillins, amoxicillin, azithromycin, and erythromycin.

An important rule necessary for a successful recovery is that the course of taking antibacterial drugs should not be stopped ahead of time, even if the unpleasant symptoms have already disappeared. Otherwise, there is a risk of developing resistance (resistance) of pathogenic microorganisms to the action of these drugs, which will cause problems in the future. After the start of treatment, the child remains contagious to others for 24 hours.

In addition to antibiotics, in acute bacterial pharyngitis, antihistamines are indicated - Fenistil, Zodak, and the throat is also treated with antiseptic solutions and herbal decoctions. To relieve pain and reduce body temperature, drugs based on paracetamol and ibuprofen can be given.

Complications

As a rule, with proper and timely treatment, pharyngitis does not entail any complications. In rare cases, with the bacterial nature of the disease, improper therapy can lead to such serious consequences as an abscess or meningitis. In addition, complications of inflammation of the oropharynx can be tonsillitis, tonsillitis, rheumatic fever. The latter disease is especially dangerous, since there is a risk of damage to the heart valves. Streptococcal angina more often than others entails the development of abscesses of the soft tissues of the pharynx.

Prevention

For the prevention of inflammatory pathologies of the oropharynx, it is recommended to carry out general strengthening therapy - hardening of the body, strengthening immunity, timely staging of vaccines, taking multivitamin preparations, maintaining a microclimate in the child's room and good nutrition.

It is important to prevent the development of chronic diseases of the oropharynx and other ENT organs. Parents should treat diseases of the teeth, oral cavity and organs of the gastrointestinal tract in time.

With viral pharyngitis, unpleasant symptoms disappear quickly with proper treatment: one week is enough for the symptoms to disappear. The prognosis is usually favorable, children recover completely and without complications.

Useful video about pharyngitis in children

Increased body temperature, itching, sore throat and sore throat when swallowing, redness and swelling of the nasopharyngeal mucosa, dry irritating cough, rhinitis and exudate. These are all symptoms of pharyngitis. The disease occurs mainly against the background of a viral or bacterial infection, and occurs in children much more often than in adults. Which is quite understandable: in childhood, the immune system develops and grows stronger, but sometimes it still does not fully perform its protective functions. Therefore, parents should know what it is and how pharyngitis proceeds, how it is treated.

Pharyngitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the posterior pharyngeal wall

Pharynxitis (pharyngitis) - translated from Latin "pharynx" means "pharynx", and the suffix -itis indicates inflammation. The name of the disease speaks for itself. Pharyngitis is an inflammatory process that spreads to the mucous membrane of the posterior pharyngeal wall, soft palate tissue, and in a complicated course, affecting the lymphoid tissue.

As an isolated condition, pharyngitis is rare. It acts rather as a symptom, a consequence of the progression of the disease, the root cause. And it develops when microbes, viruses, allergens enter the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and respiratory tract.

Therefore, its symptoms can be supplemented by signs of acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, allergic reactions, hypothermia, etc. The peak incidence occurs during periods of seasonal epidemics - autumn and spring.

In newborns and children under 2 years of age, pharyngitis is especially difficult due to the immaturity of the respiratory organs and mucous membranes.

The condition of babies is aggravated by an increase in body temperature up to 40 ° C, they refuse to eat, sleep poorly, become capricious, and foci of inflammation provoke the development of complications: otitis media, conjunctivitis, acute catarrhal rhinitis, edema and stenosis of the larynx, suffocation.

Symptoms of pharyngitis manifest themselves, depending on the type of disease and the form of its course. Therapeutic measures are also developed taking into account the causes of inflammation and the severity of lesions of the mucous membranes.

Types and forms of the disease

Pharyngitis is a disease that occurs depending on which pathogen caused the inflammation, how extensive the damage to the mucous membranes, whether there are aggravating factors, whether the soft tissues and lymph nodes are affected, etc. The disease is classified according to the degree of influence on its development of all these factors.

What is pharyngitis?

1. Sharp. It usually develops rapidly, as a secondary sign of an acute respiratory infection, lasts up to a month.
2. Subacute. Lasts over 30 days. It develops with untimely seeking help or with unskilled treatment of acute pharyngitis.
3. Chronic. Lasts 6 months or more. It develops as a result of constant irritation of the mucous membranes by aggressive agents (allergens, gastric juice with reflux) or against the background of the course of other chronic ENT diseases (sinusitis, adenoiditis, rhinitis, tonsillitis, tonsillitis). In turn, it is divided into:

   catarrhal (or superficial) - only the mucous membrane of the pharynx becomes inflamed, proceeds without deep changes in the structure of mucous membranes and tissues;

   • lateral - when inflammation spreads to the lateral ridges (side walls) of the pharynx;

   granular - when inflammation affects the lymphadenoid elements under the mucosa, and abscesses form on its surface in the form of red nodules or granules;

   hypertrophic - with proliferation of lymphoid tissue;

   atrophic - with a long course, the pharyngeal mucosa becomes thinner (atrophies), this is the last and most severe stage of chronic pharyngitis.

4. Viral. When the mucous membranes become inflamed from influenza viruses or parainfluenza, rhinovirus, adenovirus or coronavirus (including herpes, enterovirus - in this case, pharyngitis is defined as herpetic, enterovirus). Aphthae (aphthous) are formed on the mucous membrane of the pharynx - very painful sores. Transmitted by droplets. It is more often registered in children who attend school or preschool institutions.
5. Bacterial. It develops when pathogenic bacteria (streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, etc.) enter the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and respiratory tract.
6. Allergic. From irritation of the mucous membranes by inhaled allergens (dust, pollen, animal hair, car exhaust, mold, etc.), dry air.
7. Gribkov. When fungal spores get on the mucous membranes. This form of the disease occurs mainly in infants, as a complication of candidal stomatitis and thrush of the oral mucosa.

Pharyngoscopy (examination of the pharynx), laboratory tests of blood from a finger, urine, and a smear of mucus from the throat help doctors diagnose and classify pharyngitis.

An increase in ESR and leukocytes in the blood indicates an inflammatory process. The number of neutrophils is increased - inflammation is caused by bacteria, lymphocytes - by viruses. Mucus analysis identifies the infection and provides information on the sensitivity of pathogenic microflora to antibacterial and antiseptic drugs (if the cause of the disease is bacteria).

In children, in 70–90% of cases, acute pharyngitis develops due to infection of the mucous membranes of the pharynx and respiratory tract with a viral microflora.

Video: we treat pharyngitis (Children's doctor)

Treatment in a child

The treatment of pharyngitis in children is carried out by an otolaryngologist (ENT) or a pediatrician. In the absence of serious complications, therapeutic measures can be carried out at home - on an outpatient basis.

Hospitalized without fail:

• newborns and babies up to a year old - due to the high likelihood of complications and the need for constant monitoring by specialists;
• with a severe course of the disease - high fever, purulent discharge, severe mucosal edema;
• with infectious etiology of pharyngitis - when inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa is caused by scarlet fever, diphtheria, measles (to prevent infection of others).

Therapy of pharyngitis is always complex, and includes:

• symptomatic treatment - to alleviate the condition;
• treatment aimed at eliminating the focus of inflammation, normalizing the pharyngoscope picture.

Any procedures and drugs can be prescribed to the child only by the attending physician. Self-medication leads to complications and increases the risk of the disease flowing into a chronic form.

Treatment of pharyngitis begins, first of all, with the correction of lifestyle. It is important that the child is in a favorable environment, eats properly, observes the drinking regimen, breathes fresh air, and does not overwork.

A humidifier is a device that will benefit all family members. With sufficient hydration of the mucous membranes, they more effectively perform their protective functions. And with pharyngitis, humidified air is less irritating to inflamed mucous membranes.

What will the doctor's instructions be?

1. Bed rest. With pharyngitis, it is mandatory in the first few days of the disease, when the baby's body temperature is high, and he experiences pain. Next, you need to focus on the condition of the child. If he feels good, moderate physical activity is welcome: it speeds up the metabolism.
2. Walks. Allowed and recommended at the stage of recovery. In the acute period undesirable. They will be replaced by regular ventilation and wet cleaning of the room where the patient is located. It is very good if the air in the room is humidified with a special humidifier (this will help reduce a sore throat). If you don't have a humidifier, you can hang wet towels.
3. Abundant drink. It is necessary for sufficient hydration of the mucous membranes.
4. Diet correction. It is necessary to exclude from it those products that irritate the mucous membrane: too hot or very cold, spicy, spicy, salty, sour. As well as carbonated drinks and sweets. Food should be easily digestible and contain enough vitamins and minerals.
5. Voice mode. Its observance with pharyngitis is recommended so that the inflammation does not spread to the mucous membrane of the larynx and vocal cords.

Medications are used according to indications, the treatment strategy may be adjusted depending on the results of the tests and evaluation of the effectiveness of the prescribed therapy.

Medical therapy

The choice of certain drugs depends on the type and form of pharyngitis. What the neighbor's boy was treated with is hardly suitable for your baby. The selection of therapeutic methods is individual for each child.

With the help of medications, the primary disease is eliminated, and the inflammatory process on the pharyngeal mucosa caused by it is stopped. At the same time, erosive lesions are tightened, epithelial defects are removed, edema is removed, the production and discharge of mucus is normalized.

Video: cough medicine (Dr. Komarovsky)

Table: medicines for the treatment of pharyngitis in children

Systemic antibiotics for pharyngitis in children are usually prescribed when antiviral therapy and the use of local antiseptics do not give the desired effect. Or on the 5th day after the onset of the first symptoms of the disease if the clinical picture worsens.

With a fungal infection of the mucous membranes of the pharynx (pharyngomycosis), antifungal therapy is necessarily indicated:

• Fluconazole (Itraconazole, Ketoconazole);
• or Levorin (Nystatin, Natamycin);
• or terbinafine.

Photo gallery: medicines for the complex therapy of children's pharyngitis

Derinat - vasoconstrictor drops, also contribute to the restoration of mucous membranes
Lizobakt - local antiseptic
Panadol - antipyretic, active ingredient paracetamol
Vitamins - multivitamins to strengthen immunity
Stoptussin - a phytopreparation for coughing Bifiform - a drug for the normalization of intestinal microflora Hexoral - a bactericidal agent for local use Alfavit - a multivitamin complex Augmentin - an antibacterial agent for systemic use
Cetrin - is prescribed to neutralize an allergic reaction, relieve swelling
Claritin is an antihistamine
Lacidophilus - regulates intestinal microflora
Lazolvan - has an expectorant effect Ambrobene - an expectorant
Lugol - local antiseptic
Aconite - a homeopathic remedy used in acute pharyngitis Nurofen - antipyretic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory action
Arbinol - antiviral agent Vibrocil - has a vasoconstrictor and antiallergic effect Erespal - antitussive syrup
Candles Viferon stimulate the immune response to the invasion of the body of alien microflora
Suprax is an antibiotic for the treatment of pharyngitis caused by bacteria sensitive to its active substance.

As for antipyretic drugs, for children under 12 years old, products containing acetylsalicylic acid in their composition are not recommended.

Nose drops Protargol and Collargol (colloidal silver solution) fight well with both viral and bacterial microflora. They reduce swelling and mucus production. Therefore, they are very often prescribed to children suffering from inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and pharynx. The preparations differ in the concentration of silver in them. For kids, Protargol (silver up to 8.3%) is suitable, for older children - Kollargol (silver up to 70%).

Video: antiviral agents (Komarovsky E. O., children's doctor)

Inhalations

Inhalation therapy for diseases of the respiratory tract and nasopharynx in children is effective for several reasons.

Firstly. During the procedure, mucous membranes are moistened, which contributes to the normalization of their function and the disappearance of subjective discomfort in a sick child.

Secondly. The mucous membranes of the respiratory tract are cleared of mucus and dried crusts, which helps to reduce their irritation. In this case, the cough, which is a reflex response to their presence in the respiratory tract, stops.

And thirdly. With the help of an inhaler, drugs are delivered directly to the inflamed areas of the mucous membranes of the pharynx and act locally. With an uncomplicated course of the disease, this is quite enough, and systemic antibacterial drugs are not prescribed.

• steam inhalation (warm, but by no means hot steam);
• warm - coarse aerosol;
• nebulizer - fine spray.

Solutions for inhalation are prescribed as follows:

• physiological saline with the addition of bronchodilators and antihistamines, hormonal and antibacterial agents;
• sea ​​water preparations;
• alkaline mineral water (Borjomi or Narzan) or sodium chloride solution 1%;
• with decoctions or infusions of medicinal herbs (chamomile, calendula, sage) - in the absence of allergies;
• with oils (sea buckthorn, fir, thuja, eucalyptus) - in the absence of allergies;
• with the addition of propolis tincture (if the child does not have an allergic reaction to bee products);
• with furacilin, etc.

Procedures are carried out 1-4 times a day, depending on the drugs used. The basis for the preparation of solutions in most cases is saline (or alkaline mineral water). Before and after inhalation, you can not eat or drink for 1-2 hours.

How to prepare solutions for inhalation, how many times a day to carry them out, and how long the course of treatment will last, the child's attending physician will tell you. Some solutions can also be used to rinse or irrigate the oropharynx.

For children who do not yet know how to gargle, it is irrigated with a small rubber syringe. In this case, the child’s head should be turned to one side and tilted slightly forward so that the solution can drain freely and does not enter the respiratory tract.

Video: we treat the throat - rinses (E. O. Komarovsky)

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic procedures are carried out in order to stabilize the state of the mucous membranes and direct the inflammatory process towards regression. Some are designed to restore the normal state of the tissues and epidermis of the pharynx.

It can be:

• thermotherapy, paraffin therapy - local exposure to dry heat (heated salt, sand, paraffin);
• UVI - visible and invisible ultraviolet rays (locally on the pharynx, tube-quartz of the nose) have a noticeable bactericidal effect;
• electrophoresis - when drugs are delivered directly to areas where the inflammatory process progresses, using a constant electric current, the therapeutic effect of drugs introduced into the body in this way is prolonged;
• UHF - ultra-high frequency therapy has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, etc.

With the growth of lymphatic tissue (hypertrophic pharyngitis), it is cauterized with a laser, galvanic current or liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy).

Surgical intervention

Perhaps with chronic pharyngitis - granular and hypertrophic. Tonsils in children are removed only according to indications - with frequent relapses, severe symptoms. The operation is called a tonsillectomy.

To restore nasal breathing with the growth of lymphatic tissue, adenotomy (removal of adenoids), polypotomy (removal of polyps), septoplasty (correction of the shape of the nasal septum) is performed.

But again, it should be emphasized that these operations are an extreme measure when conservative treatment has not brought the desired effect.

Folk remedies

At home, remedies prepared according to traditional medicine recipes will help speed up the recovery of the child. Many of them are recommended by licensed doctors. And their effectiveness has been tested by more than one generation.

But you should not prescribe this or that remedy to the child on your own. Be sure to consult with his doctor about the possibility of using any folk recipe.

Garlic with honey for pharyngitis

Acts as an antiseptic and tonic. Application is possible only if the child is not allergic to honey and bee products.

Ingredients:

• garlic - 1 head (medium);
• honey (preferably lime) - 100 ml (or 0.5 cups).

Cooking.

1. Clean the garlic from the husk.
2. Grind with the help of garlic (can be grated on a fine grater).
3. Place in an enamel bowl.
4. Fill with honey.
5. Put in a water bath for 20 minutes - the garlic should dissolve in honey.
6. Then let the mixture brew under the lid for 30 minutes.
7. Put the syrup back into the water bath for 10 minutes already.
8. Cool, strain.
9. Store garlic syrup in a dark place.

Give the child 3-4 times a day, 0.5-1 teaspoon (depending on age) 30 minutes before meals, until he feels better.

Infusion of medicinal herbs for rinsing

Gargling with inflammatory processes in the oropharynx moisturizes the mucous membranes and disinfects them.

Ingredients:

• dry chamomile - 1 part;
• sage (dry raw materials) - 1 part;
• dry calendula flowers - 1 part;
• dried eucalyptus leaves - 1 part;
• water (boiling water) - 1 cup (200 ml).

Cooking.

1. Prepare herbal tea by mixing chamomile, sage, calendula and eucalyptus in equal proportions.
2. Take 1 tablespoon of the mixture (about 8–9 g), place in a teapot (possibly in a thermos), pour boiling water over it.
3. Leave for at least half an hour.
4. Strain.
5. Cool until the infusion is warm (not hot).

Let the child gargle with herbal infusion throat 3-5 times a day. 1 hour before the procedure and 1 hour after the procedure, the baby should not eat or drink anything.

Ginger tea

Relieves irritation in the throat, softens cough, strengthens the immune system.

Ingredients:

• fresh ginger root (chopped) - 1 tbsp. l. (10–12 g);
• water (boiling water) - 1 tbsp. (200 ml);
• lemon - 1 slice;
• honey - to taste (if there is no allergy).

Cooking.

1. Chopped ginger root (you can peel it and grate it), pour boiling water over it.
2. Leave covered for 30 minutes.
3. Strain.
4. Add a slice of lemon and honey to the tea.

Give the child warm, 2-3 times a day, 100-200 ml, depending on age, until the condition improves.

Ginger with milk can be prepared for a child with a dry, irritating cough: 1 tbsp. l. grated ginger, pour 200 ml (1 tablespoon) of milk and simmer for 20 minutes over low heat, cool, strain, divide the portion into 4 doses.

Rosehip tea

Restores and strengthens the back wall of the pharyngeal mucosa. Medicinal herbs (sage, lemon balm, lime blossom) and viburnum berries can also be added to it (cook the collection in equal proportions and take 1 tablespoon per 250 ml of water). Then the drink will acquire antiseptic and immunomodulatory properties.

Ingredients:

• rose hips - 1 tbsp. l. (10–12 g);
• water (boiling water) - 200 ml (1 tbsp.);
• honey - to taste (in the absence of allergies);
• sea ​​buckthorn oil - 1-2 drops.

Cooking.

1. Place the rose hips in a thermos and pour boiling water over them.
2. Leave for at least 2 hours.
3. Strain.
4. Before giving to a child, add honey and sea buckthorn oil to tea.

A child needs to drink such tea 1-2 times a day, 100-200 ml for 2-3 months.

Potato-honey cake

Alcohol compresses, as well as mustard plasters and banks, modern doctors do not recommend for use by children. But no one doubts the effectiveness and safety of the good old potato cakes.

During the preparation of honey-potato cakes, you can add 0.5 tsp to it. mustard powder. But keep in mind that then the child will feel a burning sensation during the procedure. Therefore, for babies under 6 years old, it is better to make cakes only with potatoes and honey - without mustard

Ingredients:

• potato tubers (medium size) - 2 pcs.;
• honey - 2 tsp (8 g).

Cooking.

1. Rinse the potatoes and boil in their skins until tender.
2. Let it cool down so it's not hot.
3. Put the tuber on the inside of your wrist for a while: you should feel a pleasant warmth, but not a burning sensation.
4. Mash potatoes with a fork and mix with honey.
5. Form 2 loaves.
6. Place one on the child's neck in front (but without affecting the thyroid gland).
7. The other one is on the chest, in the middle, where the bronchi are (circling around the region of the heart).
8. Cover both cakes with waxed paper or just a plastic bag, wrap the places of applications with a warm scarf.

The duration of the procedure is 30–40 minutes. When you remove the cakes, grease the skin under them well with goose fat (goat, badger).

With adequate treatment, pharyngitis in children is cured in 1-2 weeks. The disease rarely becomes chronic. But the main condition for this is the timely detection and competent treatment of the primary disease, the consequence of which is inflammation of the mucous membranes of the oropharynx.

Children, especially babies under 2-3 years old, get sick with pharyngitis quite often. But the disease is quite treatable at home. A doctor's consultation is required. Its symptoms are similar to those of other respiratory diseases. Therefore, only timely accurate diagnosis and competent therapy can prevent the development of complications.

Pharyngitis can be caused by a number of reasons. The most famous of them:

1. bacteria. Most often, mucous and lymphoid tissues are affected by pneumococci and streptococci.
2. Viruses. The activators of the problem in this case are adenoviruses or influenza.
3. Mushrooms. can be caused by a fungal infection of candida.
4. Complications of other diseases. A number of diseases of the nasopharynx and adjacent organs, in particular rhinitis, and even caries, at advanced stages, activate the development of pharyngitis.
5. Physiological reasons. The disease can also be non-infectious in nature, in particular, it can be induced by the influence of chemical irritants on the body, inhalation of very cold, hot or dirty air.
6. Allergy. Natural and drug allergies also provoke the development of pharyngitis.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of pharyngitis in children usually include:

1. Severe pain and, especially in the process of eating and swallowing.
2. High temperature, usually between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius.
3. Lack of appetite and severe lethargy.

The younger your baby is, the more severe the symptoms of pharyngitis will be. This disease is especially dangerous in a child under one year old, since it causes swelling of the mucous membrane, which, ultimately, taking into account the underdevelopment of the respiratory system, can cause a spasm of the throat and.

Types of pharyngitis

Acute pharyngitis

This type of disease develops rapidly and immediately after the defeat of the mucous membrane of the throat by an infection or an irritating factor. At the same time, a high temperature immediately rises, a complete “bouquet” of the above symptoms is observed.

Chronic pharyngitis

The chronic form of pharyngitis almost never forms on its own and is either a transitional process between the acute phase of the above disease, or the result of constant irritation of the mucous membranes by an unfavorable factor. Chronic pharyngitis has phases of remission with a temporary disappearance of symptoms and exacerbations, similar in clinical manifestations to the acute form of the disease.

Granular pharyngitis

With granulosa pharyngitis, not only mucous, but also lymphoid tissue is severely affected, as a result of which peculiar “red nodules” form on the back of the pharynx, formed from the altered structure of the epithelium. These "granules" strongly irritate the trigeminal nerve, the mucous membranes become very dry, fibrosis of other tissues in the pharynx and atrophy of the glands are also observed.

Atrophic pharyngitis

The last stage of development of untreated pharyngitis is characterized by a strong pathogenic change in the glandular, lymphoid and mucous apparatus of the pharynx. Hypotrophy of such structures leads to serious complications not only with related organs, but also negatively affects the intestines and stomach.

The symptoms of pharyngitis and tonsillitis should be distinguished - it is similar in signs, but the infection in these two cases is localized in different places. A strong chest cough and coughing at night usually indicates the manifestation of symptoms of bronchitis - the infection goes down and affects the associated parts of the respiratory apparatus.

Treatment of pharyngitis in children

It will not work to cure pharyngitis in a child with just a miracle spray or magic sucking pills, especially if the disease is advanced and is at the final stage of development. Act systematically and correctly!

In children 1-12 months

In the youngest children, pharyngitis is very painful, and it is also quite problematic to use rinsing in this case, since the child simply does not know how to do this. It is highly undesirable to carry out any activities on your own, since you can harm the fragile body of the baby. In the case of acute pharyngitis, it is urgent to seek qualified medical help.

If the baby's pharyngitis is mild, there is no high temperature and there are no contraindications to use, then the child can put a honey-mustard compress on the throat.

It is also worth giving the baby plenty of warm liquids to drink. Ventilate and humidify the rooms where the baby is constantly. The affected pharynx can be moistened with antiseptics that do not contain alcohol, menthol and other irritants. In their absence, grind one Faringosept tablet into dust, dip the nipple in the ground consistency and let the child suck. The maximum dose in this case should not exceed ¼ tablet, no more than three times a day.

For children 1-2 years old

In children of this age, pharyngitis is also difficult, but not as intense as in infants. They also need to be given plenty of fluids, put compresses in the absence of contraindications, and also carry out inhalations, preferably on a nebulizer, using saline or Borjomi water as an active ingredient.

At this age, you can already start using antiseptic sprays - these are Givalex and Yoks: they disinfect the affected throat and contribute to a speedy recovery. In addition, the room where the child is constantly located must be regularly ventilated and ensure normal humidity.

In children from 3 years old

With the onset of the development of the disease, the child needs bed rest and plenty of drink with the presence of alkali. Try to organize a diet that is sparing for the body, remove everything sweet, sour and fried to the maximum, saturating the diet with fruits.

With pharyngitis, honey compresses on the legs, as well as hot foot baths, help. It is rational to carry out inhalations both with the help of a nebulizer and using classic decoctions of medicinal preparations.

From the age of three, children already know how to gargle - both with special antiseptic medicinal liquids and with mixtures prepared on their own: dissolve two drops of iodine and furatsilin in 300 milliliters of warm boiled water, then bring the temperature to room temperature and let the child gargle by typing in mouth of liquid by throwing the head back, sticking out the tongue, opening the mouth wide and saying "ahh".

In addition, as an alternative, use antiseptic throat sprays - these are Yoks based on iodine and Givalex. If your child already knows how to dissolve tablets, then it is recommended to give him lozenges and tablets against pharyngitis: Pharyngosept, Septolete, Angisept, and so on.

Antibiotics for pharyngitis in children

A separate dispute between physicians and parents is the need to use antibiotics for pharyngitis. A sufficiently large number of cases of such a disease can indeed be cured without resorting to extensive antibiotic therapy, however, in especially difficult cases, it cannot be dispensed with, especially when it comes to a threat to the life of a child or an advanced stage of the disease, up to mucosal atrophy.

In this case, the best possible option would be to use not broad-spectrum antibiotics, but local remedies that do not have such a big negative effect on the liver, kidneys and heart of your child. In addition, in order for the antibiotic to be really effective in such a situation, it is worth taking it together with corticosteroids, also topical.

The most popular drugs of this type used in the treatment of pharyngitis are Bioparox, Biseptol, Geksoral.

Prevention

The main measures for the prevention of pharyngitis:

1. Maintain normal humidity in the premises, especially in the autumn-winter period.
2. Drive your child as little as possible through dusty and gassed areas.
3. Do not smoke in the company of a child.
4. During the onset of seasonal epidemics, take multivitamin complexes, give your baby interferon and homeopathic remedies that increase immunity. For preventive purposes, do daily evening inhalations with infusions of wild rose, chamomile and sea buckthorn, as well as Borjomi water.
5. If possible, start tempering the child.

Useful video

Dr. Komarovsky talks about the danger of pharyngitis in children, as well as methods for its treatment.

What happens to our throat with pharyngitis? Our throat consists of 3 sections: upper, middle and lower. When the infection affects the mucous membrane of the upper section, it becomes inflamed and irritated, the child begins to suffer: dry throat, severe sore throat, pain during swallowing, hoarseness, hoarseness.

Causes of pharyngitis in childhood

• the most frequent are viral pharyngitis - more than 50%, respiratory viruses (influenza, parainfluenza, adeno- and rhinoviruses) usually cause pharyngitis. But there are also bacterial pharyngitis (stepto-, staphylo- and pneumococci), which are more often complicated by other diseases. Fungi can also be the cause;
• there are also pharyngitis associated with physical damage to the pharyngeal mucosa;
• also pharyngitis appears due to daily inhalation of dust;
• pharyngitis associated with allergies;
• in children, pharyngitis often appears due to chronic adenoiditis, when the discharge, flowing down the back of the pharynx, constantly irritates its mucous membrane. When there is a cooling of the pharynx with the use of cold lemonades, ice creams, local immunity decreases, and due to this, pharyngitis develops;
• often pharyngitis becomes a secondary disease against the background of gastroesophageal reflux, when gastric contents are thrown into the pharynx and it is burned.

The main and specific symptoms of pharyngitis in children

If pharyngitis is an independent disease, then the body temperature does not rise. The temperature will rise if the underlying disease is a viral infection, and its symptom is pharyngitis. With viral pharyngitis, the back wall of the pharynx is very bright, its edema is noted. With a bacterial or fungal infection, the back wall also turns red, but white-yellow spots appear on the tonsils, an unpleasant odor. It is also possible to increase the submandibular and anterior cervical lymph nodes, they become painful when they are felt.

Cough with pharyngitis is usually of little probuctive dry. It usually occurs on the 2nd day after infection of the child. Then comes the runny nose. The first 2 - 3 days cough occurs due to reflex irritation of the dry membrane of the throat. If there is a severe swelling of the throat, the pain can be transmitted to the ears and there will be a feeling of their congestion.

Babies tolerate pharyngitis worse - there is an aggravation of well-being due to general symptoms: fever, poor sleep, refusal to eat, severe salivation, regurgitation, runny nose, conjunctivitis.

Symptoms of allergic pharyngitis will be rhinitis or swelling of the nasal mucosa.

Complications of a viral infection can be tonsillitis, tracheitis, laryngitis, pneumonia.

Differences between viral pharyngitis and tonsillitis

What are the features of chronic pharyngitis?

The source of chronic pharyngitis is opportunistic bacteria of the oral cavity, which are activated when local and general immunity decreases. The main predisposing factor for chronic pharyngitis is untreated or inadequately treated acute pharyngitis. In chronic pharyngitis, one anatomical part of the pharynx is affected, and the neighboring ones are not included, the child's well-being is almost never disturbed. There are no signs of intoxication, the temperature almost does not rise. The main symptoms are dry throat, lump in the throat, coughing. Due to daily perspiration, a dry obsessive cough occurs, which eventually becomes productive. Chronic streptococcal pharyngitis gives complications to the heart, kidneys, thyroid gland.

Criteria for making a diagnosis

• the doctor collects complaints, an anamnesis of the disease;
• the doctor performs pharyngoscopy - visually examines the pharynx, in which the condition of the mucous membrane of its posterior wall is assessed;
• laboratory tests: clinical blood test;
• to determine the causative agent of the disease, the doctor prescribes a swab from the throat to isolate the microflora, its sensitivity to antibiotics; or PCR;
• with recurring pharyngitis:

— endoscopic examination of the nose and nasopharynx;

– consultation of an allergist (to exclude an allergic cause of the disease);

– consultation of a gastroenterologist (to exclude reflux disease).

How to examine the throat in children

For a thorough examination of the throat, daylight or artificial lighting is not enough, you should resort to a flashlight or a lamp with a warm light. To examine the throat, you will need a spatula made of wood or something resembling it, such as a spoon handle. It is necessary to press not on the root, but on the end or middle of the tongue.

Picture of acute pharyngitis: inflammation of the soft palate, the presence of red walls of the pharynx and an increase in lymphoid follicles on its back wall. If the back wall is loose, there is also an increase in follicles, but there is no noticeable redness, then this symptom indicates chronic pharyngitis. If the back wall has a thin, dryish appearance, it is pale, vessels are visible on it, then this atrophic pharyngitis.

Treatment of pharyngitis in children

First of all, parents should go to the pediatrician. If cases of pharyngitis recur, if not all symptoms disappear after the therapy, you should go to an otorhinolaryngologist.

1. Home mode.

2. Avoid contact with infectious patients.

3. Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene: personal dishes, personal towel.

4. Warm, light food.

Diet for pharyngitis

Refusal of seeds and products containing them. From nuts and products containing them. Cold lemonades, from very sour, very cold, very hot, smoked, peppery and salty, because all this irritates the mucous membrane of the throat.

5. Airing and wet cleaning.

6. Since the main symptom is a feeling of dryness of the pharynx, it must be constantly moistened. Therefore, a plentiful warm drink is prescribed: berry fruit drinks, tea with lemon, milk with honey and butter, mineral water, without gas.

Complex treatment effectively helps with pharyngitis. Children should rinse and irrigate the throat, and dissolve the tablets.

7. Treatment is determined by the source of the disease. Antibiotics for pharyngitis are not indicated if a bacterial infection has not joined, and a complication has not developed. With a viral infection, antiviral drugs should be started (Anaferon, Ergoferon, Isoprinosine, Ingavirin). With a fungal infection, antifungal drugs are prescribed.

8. Children over 3 years old should often gargle with antiseptic solutions: Miramistin, Chlorhexedine, furatsilin, Chlorophyllipt alcohol solution. Repeat every 2 hours.

If there is no allergy, you can use herbal decoctions for rinsing (chamomile, calendula, sage, propolis tincture). The solution should be prepared at the rate of 10 g of dry matter per glass of boiled water. Gargle for 5 minutes every hour.

It is most effective to treat pharyngitis in a complex way, the use of some folk medicines often gives complications. Allergic children should be given iodine and honey containing medicines with caution.

9. Local irrigation of the throat with antiseptic solutions and antibacterial agents in the form of an aerosol. Sprays are used: Miramistin, Ingalipt, Tantum-Verde, Kameton, Geksoral. It is important to alternate rinsing with sprays, since rinsing does not reach the back of the throat, but the spray copes with this.

10. Lozenges: Lizobakt, Gramidin, Strepsils, Faringosept. Dissolve should be 30 minutes before or 30 minutes after a meal and in between other throat treatments.

11. Moisturizing the oropharyngeal mucosa with a nebulizer: you can use physical on your own. solution.

12. When coughing, it is better to use vegetable syrups (Gerbion - plantain syrup, Linkas, Bronchipret). If, it greatly torments the child, does not let him fall asleep, you can give an antitussive drug (Sinekod, Codelac Neo).

13. For pharyngolaryngitis, the following is prescribed:

• voice rest;
• restriction of communication, exclude whispering, screaming, telephone conversations.

If the child has a tendency to laryngospasm, the inhaler should be at home so that in the event of stenosis, the parents themselves can inhale with a glucocorticoid (Pulmicort, Budenit) until the ambulance arrives.

• antihistamines to relieve swelling.

In the case of acute pharyngitis, children usually recover in 7 to 14 days. In chronic pharyngitis, children should either be treated symptomatically regularly or resort to surgical treatment. With obvious hyperplasia of the lymphoid tissue, laser cauterization of granules, radio wave treatment, and cryotherapy are performed.

If pharyngitis recurs often or is not cured for a long time, this is an indicator to search for the real causes of the disease, in addition, pharyngitis is rarely an independent disease, and often concomitant diseases are adenoiditis, tonsillitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Prevention of pharyngitis

Prevention of pharyngitis consists of hardening, increasing immunity, vaccinating against infections, creating an optimal microclimate in the house, and full, vitamin-rich food. Sanitation of foci of chronic infection: caries, chronic tonsillitis, treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Remember that you should not be treated on your own, know that only a doctor, after a professional examination, prescribes a medicine, taking into account all the characteristics of the child.