How to treat a child's throat 1-3 years old?
Due to the immaturity of their own immunity, children up to 3 years old are ill more severely than older children. Local immunity in them is just beginning to learn how to fight viruses, bacteria and allergens. That is why practically any respiratory irritant stimulates the crumb to be reddened. throat. How and what to treat such a child aged 1 to 3 years, we will look at this article in detail.
Age features
The respiratory tract of a small child is quite unlike adults - the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and larynx in babies are friable, saturated with blood vessels. When ingested by bacteria or a virus, they become more inflamed. The anatomical narrowness of the larynx at this age creates an additional danger of the development of false croup, edema, stenosis, and, as a result, asphyxiation.
The nasal passages are also quite narrow, and if a baby has a runny nose (which happens more often than the parents would like), then the nasal breathing is almost always completely blocked. The child begins to breathe through the mouth, which causes the mucus in the throat to dry. This mucus is of critical immune value. Its task is to neutralize viruses and other pathogens that enter the body through respiration. Dry mucus ceases to perform protective duties and becomes an excellent medium for the propagation of pathogenic bacteria.
Causes of sore throat
The causes of a sore throat can be a great many. In most cases, it is a viral infection. More than 500 viruses surround us, and “catching” one is a very simple task, especially with imperfect childhood immunity. Viruses cause a number of diseases for which a variety of throat symptoms can be observed:
- pharyngitis;
- herpangina;
- laryngitis;
- measles;
- chickenpox;
- scarlet fever;
- diphtheria;
- laryngotracheitis;
- flu and SARS.
Redness of the throat in viral lesions is a clear indication of the work of local immunity. And from this point of view, it should be regarded as a normal reaction of the organism in a particular situation.
Bacterial inflammations in the throat are much more difficult. Fortunately, in children they do not occur often, only about 10% of all complaints of pain in the throat during a detailed trial become confirmed diagnoses with a certain bacterial or fungal pathogen. Most often such illnesses are:
- angina (and its many varieties, except herpes);
- laryngeal candidiasis;
- pharyngomycosis.
Slightly more often than bacterial, and less often than viral, children have allergic problems with the throat. They are associated with prolonged exposure to antigen, which causes an inadequate reaction of the child’s body. There are a lot of allergens - from household chemicals, with which mom washes dishes and washes clothes, to seasonal irritants in the form of flower pollen and tree pollen.
Treatment
Than to treat a throat to the child from 1 till 3 years the doctor will know most precisely, after will appoint a number of laboratory researches. In order to choose tactics and drugs, the doctor needs to have a clear idea of exactly which pathogen caused inflammation in the throat. To do this, take swabs from the mouth, with tonsils and smear from the back of the larynx.The sample will look for viruses, and some will be sent to backwaters, where they will try to grow a particular type of bacteria or fungus under laboratory conditions. In addition, the doctor may recommend a blood test, which will give the answer whether there are antibodies to certain viruses in the baby’s blood. All these measures will make it possible not only to establish the diagnosis accurately, but also to know with 100% accuracy which pathogen caused the illness.
This knowledge is extremely important, because viral lesions are treated completely differently from bacterial or fungal ones. And everything depends on the correct treatment. Therefore, it is best to start the treatment of red throat in a child with a visit to the doctor.
Viral throat lesions
85% of all throat diseases are viral in nature. The treatment of such diseases depends on the views of a particular doctor. Some experts immediately prescribe antiviral drugs, vitamins, local treatment of the throat with antiseptics. Others know that the effectiveness of antiviral agents has not been proven to date and will advise parents to limit themselves to local procedures.
Modern medicine is inclined to the position of second doctors.
The child’s immunity, in order to develop and grow stronger, is simply obliged to deal with various viruses, it is impossible to “train” him in a different way. During illness, the child should create favorable conditions for recovery, and this, by and large, is quite enough.
In other words, it should be in conditions where it will breathe humid air, where it will not be hot. This microclimate will help to maintain the fluid consistency of mucus in the nose and throat, which means that local immunity will cope with its task in about 3-5 days.
A child with a viral disease must drink a lot. This further dilutes mucous secretions and replenishes fluid loss in the body, which always happens at high temperatures.
Thus, a reasonable treatment of viral illness, manifested including sore throat, should look like this:
- Humidity in the room 50-70%, plentiful warm drink.
- At high temperature - bed rest.
- Heat from 1 to 3 years old is quite dangerous in itself., but it is very necessary for the proper course of the immune processes, so the temperature should not be reduced to 37.5, and the antipyretic should be given after the thermometer rises to 38.5. For this, it is best to use "Paracetamol", "Ibuprofen".
- Local treatment of the throat for children who cannot rinse because of their age can be done with an antiseptic "Miramistin». With severe inflammation, it is recommended to treat the throat with balm.Viniline».
- Saline should be instilled into the nose as often as possible, which protects the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract from drying out. and thereby reducing the risk of complications of a secondary infection. It is prepared simply: a teaspoon of salt per liter of boiled chilled water. One-year-old baby is best to bury the solution every 30-40 minutes, and for children from 2 years old you can splash the same solution into the nose, poured into the vial from under the spray, with the same frequency.
- Some children in 2-3 years can gargle. They saline solution can be offered as a rinse.
- As soon as the temperature drops, you can start walking with the child in the open air, it will speed up the healing process.
What can not be done?
- Cannot cure viral disease with antibioticsSince antimicrobial agents against viruses are not effective, however, they increase the likelihood of complications several times.
- At high temperatures do not rub or rub with alcohol., soar baby feet, lubricate the throat alcohol solutions.
In the next video, Dr. Komarovsky talks about how to treat throat in children. You can also Read a detailed article with recommendations from Dr. Komarovsky about how to treat red throat.
Bacterial lesion
Since microbial lesions of the mucous membranes of the throat are usually more severe than viral lesions, such young children are tried to be hospitalized so that the crumb can be treated under the supervision of doctors. But even if you were left to be treated at home, it is very likely that the child will be given antibiotics. Modern medicine has revised its approach to such therapy, and now they try to prescribe antibiotics only in extreme cases. It is recommended to dispense with the urgent need for it with local treatments.
Of the antimicrobial agents, penicillin preparations are usually prescribed (“Amosin», «Amoxicillin», «Amoxiclav"). If the microbe is resistant to penicillin, the doctor may give a prescription for macrolide antibiotics ("Sumamed" or "Clarithromycin"). In especially severe cases, or in case the penicillins and macrolides did not help, antibiotics, cephalosporins (“Cefazolin"," Cefamezin "," Cefuroxime ").
Appointment of antibiotics does not mean that the child will be given injections. Most of these drugs are presented in syrups and suspensions. They are easy to dose and give the baby. The medicine usually has a fruity aroma and sweet taste.
To reduce the temperature recommended "Paracetamol". It is possible to process the red throat with the oil solution “Chlorophyllipt” (not to be confused with alcoholic!). High efficacy in the treatment of angina shows and "Viniline". A child with heat should always be watered, even if it is difficult for him to swallow. If you can not get drunk, you should call the "Ambulance" to fill the deficit fluids intravenously.
What can not be done?
Do not interrupt the course of antibiotic treatment as soon as the child feels relieved. With timely treatment with penicillins, a decrease in pain, and sometimes a decrease in temperature, can be observed already on the second day of treatment. However, it should be remembered that it is impossible to cure quickly a bacterial infection, since not all bacteria have been destroyed in 2-3 days. If you stop taking the drug, the surviving individuals will develop resistance to this antibiotic, next time they will have to treat the child with another medicine, stronger and more expensive. The risk of complications when the course is interrupted is extremely high.
At high temperatures, you can not do on the throat warming compresses, compresses on alcohol or oil-based. Heat is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria, besides warming during the heat breaks the thermoregulation of the child’s body.
Fungal lesions of the throat
A white throat and complaints of dryness and severe itching should lead parents to the idea of a fungal infection. After confirming the version, the physician will be prescribed a completely specific antifungal treatment. It is always carried out in the complex - local processing and ingestion of drugs inside.
The pills can be prescribed "Fluconazole"," Intraconozol "(not shown to children under 3 years old, a drug that is prescribed only if the expected benefit is higher than the possible harm),"Nystatin". In the mouth, you can spray sprayPimafucin"Or" Nystatin. The treatment is quite long - about 14 days. After that, a smear from the throat must be repeated to make sure that the whole fungus colony has died. If necessary, extend the course.
What can not be done?
You can not try to remove plaque or pustules from the throat yourself, this can lead to bleeding and the spread of infection. The course of treatment is contraindicated.
Allergic lesions
If the throat is swollen and sore due to an allergy to something, the treatment will be aimed at eliminating contact with the allergen. If the real “culprit” - the antigen is not identified, parents will be advised to remove from the house all potentially dangerous things and factors that can cause an inadequate reaction of the body.Wash clothes should only be hypoallergenic powder, floors should be washed without the use of household chemicals, chlorine-based chemicals are especially dangerous. Soft toys and carpets do not belong at all in the nursery, since they are rapidly accumulating house dust. You may have to part with the cat or dog that lives in the apartment.
Antihistamines may be prescribed from medications ("Suprastin", "Loratadine"). For severe allergies, a child may be given hormone therapy.
Treatment of folk remedies
When choosing a folk remedy, you should always consult a doctor. Most likely, he will give the go-ahead for procedures that are not dangerous for the child. These include gargling with herbal decoctions. A child in 1.5 years, of course, is not capable of such a method, but from 2-3 years you can try. Immediately it is worth mentioning that this treatment should be auxiliary, it cannot be considered independent, and herbal rinses are not affected by the healing rate.
A child from 1 to 3 years old can be prepared with chamomile, sage, plantain or mint decoctions. Honey rinses should be used with great care, because bee products themselves are quite allergenic. Herbal and honey rinses are not recommended at all if the child is allergic. Rubbing a child and making compresses with badger fat in case of heat is dangerous to health, as are vodka wipes, since such methods violate thermoregulation.
About inhalation
Inhalations, which are so popular among mothers, for diseases of the throat are ineffective and sometimes dangerous. Steam inhalation should not be used at high temperature, with bacterial infections, with fungal infections. If there is a device - a nebulizer at home, then you should know that the fine particles that it produces during the process of penetration into the lower respiratory tract, so the device is perfect for the treatment of diseases of the bronchi and lungs with the spraying of medicinal pharmaceutical preparations. In the treatment of diseases of the throat nebulizer is practically useless.
Do not do inhalation at all, if there is no inhaler in the house. Attempts to force the baby to breathe over boiled potatoes or a basin of boiling water can end in a burn of the respiratory tract. And this will significantly complicate the process of recovery, and may lead to more sad consequences.
