Rhinopharyngitis in children: causes, symptoms and treatment, reviews

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The nose performs an important protective function when breathing. The villi located on the mucous membrane trap dust in the air, while cleaning it. Along with this, the mucus secreted by the glands moisturizes and disinfects it with the help of a special substance called lysozyme. Nasal breathing is a normal physiological act, and its violation causes various pathological changes in the body. The inhaled air is not cleaned, moistened or warmed, and the patient's condition only worsens. The inflammatory process that covers the mucous membrane of the nose and throat is called rhinopharyngitis. In children, this disease usually occurs in an acute form, often requiring prolonged and careful treatment. We will tell you more about this in our article.

Causes of nasopharyngitis in children

Inflammatory process,covering the nasal cavity and throat, occurs as a result of pathogens entering the mucous membrane. As a rule, they are viruses, less often - foreign objects and allergens. In some cases, inflammation develops only in the nasopharynx or in isolation in the throat. In the first case, the doctor diagnoses rhinitis, and in the second - pharyngitis. Including each of the diseases can spread along the ascending (from the throat to the nose) or descending (vice versa) path. In the latter scenario, the trachea, bronchi and lungs also suffer.

So, most often nasopharyngitis in children is of a viral nature and is caused by:

• adenovirus;
• flu virus;
• measles pathogen;
• rhinovirus;
• enterovirus.

In rare cases, bacteria are the causative agent of the disease:

• diphtheria bacillus;
• mycoplasma;
• chlamydia;
• streptococci;
• staphylococci;
• gonococci.

Rhinopharyngitis is transmitted by airborne droplets and can be diagnosed at any time of the year. The susceptibility to the disease is high, especially for premature and small babies, as well as children with a weakened immune system. Often, rhinopharyngitis develops against the background of hypothermia. The course of this disease can be acute or chronic. In some cases, allergic rhinopharyngitis can be diagnosed. The causative agents of this form of the disease are allergens.

Symptoms of acute nasopharyngitis

The onset of illnessit is considered to be the appearance of sore throat, nasal congestion, sneezing. Acute rhinopharyngitis in children in all clinical cases without exception is accompanied by a runny nose, which is explained by the structural features of the nasopharynx. As for age, in children under the age of 3 years, and especially in infants, the disease is much more severe than in schoolchildren and adults.

As a result of the accumulation of mucus in a child who is breastfed, there are difficulties with suckling. After two sips, he is forced to drop his chest in order to inhale air through his mouth. This causes him increased anxiety and sleep disturbance.

As a rule, with nasopharyngitis in children, the following symptoms of the disease appear:

• nasal congestion;
• difficulty in nasal breathing;
• runny nose;
• sneeze;
• sore throat;
• pain when swallowing;
• headache;
• body aches;
• night cough caused by mucus flowing down the back wall;
• increase in temperature (slight to high).

Another symptom of nasopharyngitis and tracheitis in children, the treatment of which requires special attention, is a dry paroxysmal cough. Complications of nasopharyngitis in young children can be bronchitis and pneumonia. But false croup is considered especially dangerous, resulting from inflammation of the vocal cords and requiring emergency assistance.

In the absence of complications, the disease lasts no more than seven days and ends with recovery.

How it manifests itselfchronic nasopharyngitis?

With insufficient treatment of the acute form, the disease passes into the next stage. Chronic rhinopharyngitis is characterized by a long course. In this form, symptoms may persist, but other signs may appear. Other chronic processes in the body (tonsillitis, caries, etc.) also contribute to the development of the disease. The treatment of this form is given increased attention.

There are three types of chronic nasopharyngitis:

1. Atrophic. Characteristic signs of this form of the disease are a hoarse voice, discomfort in the throat and pallor of the mucous membrane upon examination.
2. Hypertrophic. The following symptoms will help diagnose chronic nasopharyngitis in this form: pain and sensation of a foreign object in the throat; copious discharge from the nose, including with pus; the appearance of a gag reflex when expectorating mucus; enlargement and looseness of the tonsils.
3. Catarrhal. This form of the disease has much in common with the previous one. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose catarrhal rhinopharyngitis in children. Treatment is given according to symptoms.

If the lymph nodes in the back of the throat and along the side walls are enlarged, the doctor may diagnose chronic granular nasopharyngitis. One of its signs is severe swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat.

Allergic nasopharyngitis

The causes of this form of the disease are various allergens:

• food;
• household;
• vegetable;
• of animal origin.

Their development is facilitated by unfavorable environmental factors, polluted atmospheric air, a large crowd of people in an unventilated room, and an insufficient amount of vitamins coming from food. In fact, there are a lot of allergens that cause an adverse reaction in the body. These include house dust, animal hair, plant pollen, bird feathers, etc.

Allergic rhinopharyngitis in children usually has the same symptoms that are diagnosed in its acute form:

• swelling of the mucosa and sudden nasal congestion as a result;
• shortness of breath;
• profuse nasal discharge;
• burning in nose and eyes;
• redness and tearing of the eyes and eyelids;
• sore throat;
• cough.

All of the above signs of the disease are aggravated in the supine position. Cough with rhinopharyngitis in children is most often dry. It increases upon contact with the allergen and, conversely, decreases upon termination of interaction with it. Most often, on this basis, it is possible to correctly diagnose the disease.

Allergic rhinopharyngitis is not acute and does not pose a danger to the life of the child. But this does not mean that parents should not deal with his treatment. This form of the disease also has complications, the most dangerous of which is asthma.

Diagnosis of disease

A diagnosis of nasopharyngitis in children canput only a pediatrician or an otolaryngologist based on the symptoms described above and other research methods.

Firstly, the doctor, when compiling an anamnesis of the disease, takes into account whether the patient had contact with a carrier of a viral infection. Kindergarten pupils and schoolchildren are the first to be at risk.

Secondly, the pediatrician necessarily conducts rhinoscopy and pharyngoscopy. The last procedure is aimed at examining the nasopharynx with a spatula. Rhinoscopy is usually performed by an otolaryngologist using a nasal dilator and a nasopharyngeal speculum.

If the methods listed above are not enough to make a final diagnosis, additional laboratory tests are assigned:

• virological diagnostics - to determine the type of virus - the causative agent of the disease;
• bacteriological - analysis of nasal diphtheria, gonorrheal rhinitis in newborns;
• serological examination - determination of syphilitic congenital lesions of the nasopharynx in newborns, etc.

Treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis. In a hospital setting, it is indicated only if the child is a newborn or premature with a low body weight. If, as a result of the diagnosis, it is established that acute nasopharyngitis in children is of an allergic nature, an allergist may additionally be consulted. He will confirm or refute the diagnosis.

Treatment of acute nasopharyngitis in children

First of all, it should be noted that whenwhen the first symptoms of the disease are detected, it is necessary to visit a pediatrician or call a doctor at home if it is a baby or there is a significant increase in temperature. Do not self-medicate, as this can lead to the development of a chronic form.

In the treatment of acute rhinopharyngitis in children are prescribed:

1. Antiviral drugs - they should be taken as early as possible, literally in the first three days after the first signs of the disease appear. Medicines are prescribed by a pediatrician in the dosage form and dosage appropriate for the age of the child.
2. Vasoconstrictive drops - they help restore breathing through the nose. Drugs are prescribed only in accordance with the instructions. It is strongly not recommended to exceed the dosage and duration of treatment with vasoconstrictor drops. One of the most effective drugs in this group is a 1% solution of Collargol (Protargol).
3. Rinsing of the nasal passages - is carried out using physiological or saline solutions. Infants are additionally sucked mucus with an aspirator.
4. Gargling - solutions of furacilin, sea s alt, medicinal herbs are used. In the absence of temperature, babies who do not know how to gargle are prescribed inhalations with mineral water. For older children, absorbable tablets and lozenges are prescribed to eliminate perspiration and sore throat. Irrigation sprays should be used with extreme caution as they can cause spasm of the glottis in children under two years of age.
5. Antipyretic drugs are prescribed when the temperature rises above 38.5°. For this, medicines based on paracetamol or ibuprofen are used.
6. Physiotherapeutic procedures - in addition to inhalations with mineral water, a pediatrician additionally prescribes procedures such as UHF of the ear and UVR of the pharynx, which are highly effective.

Can you cure allergic nasopharyngitis?

A mandatory condition is the exclusion or restriction of contact with the allergen. Otherwise, therapy may be ineffective. To treat nasopharyngitis in a child, both acute and allergic, should be strictly prescribed by a doctor. The following means are used for this:

1. Nasal drops - they contain components that block the action of the allergen on the mucous membrane. As a result, swelling is removed, breathing is facilitated, and the runny nose stops. The most effective drugs in this group include Vibrocil, Allergodil.
2. General antiallergic drugs - dosage and duration of treatment is determined by the doctor.
3. A course of specific therapy - includes the introduction of microdoses of the allergen into the body in order to prevent further development of the reaction. Treatment is carried out strictly under the supervision of an allergist.
4. Sorbents - are prescribed during the period of exacerbation for the rapid removal of the allergen from the child's body. One of the effective drugs in this group is Enterosgel. It is important to take care of the elimination of dysbacteriosis, which often accompanies diseases of this form.

In the treatment of allergicrhinopharyngitis in children, according to reviews, homeopathic preparations are highly effective. A prerequisite is the maintenance of a favorable microclimate in the room. To do this, humidify the air, ventilate the room, ensure optimal temperature conditions (within 20 ° C above zero).

Antibiotics in the treatment of nasopharyngitis

If the disease is of bacterial origin, as determined by a clinical blood test, a pediatrician or an otolaryngologist will prescribe drugs of the appropriate spectrum.

To treat the inflammatory process in the pharynx, local antibiotics are used. But drugs of this form will be effective only if nasopharyngitis proceeds without complications. Otherwise, broad-spectrum antibiotics may be needed. The dosage and duration of medication is determined by the doctor.

As a rule, an antibiotic for nasopharyngitis in children is prescribed for 5-7 days. It is not recommended to reduce or increase the duration of reception.

Sometimes parents, not understanding how to treat acute nasopharyngitis in children, without consulting a pediatrician, buy antibiotics for their baby on their own to speed up his recovery. Doing this is strictly prohibited. If rhinopharyngitis is of a viral nature, then antibiotic therapy in this case will be ineffective, and the child's immunity will suffer unreasonably.

Treatment with traditional medicine

Many parents to eliminate signs of acute formdiseases try not to use drugs, and especially antibiotics. According to their reviews, in the treatment of nasopharyngitis in children, traditional medicine is no less effective:

1. Kalanchoe juice - used to eliminate the inflammatory process. Juice, diluted with water in a ratio of 1:2, is used for instillation into the nasal passages (1 drop 3 times a day) and gargling.
2. Beet juice - has a similar effect. Well relieves inflammation and swelling of the mucosa. Before use, it should be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:2. Gauze swabs soaked in beet juice, which are inserted into the nasal passages, are highly effective.
3. Calendula solution - for its preparation, a tablespoon of calendula juice is dissolved in 500 ml of warm boiled water. The resulting solution is used to wash the nose. The procedure is performed over a sink to allow fluid to flow freely from the nose.
4. Inhalations with potato decoction are highly effective when it is necessary to quickly relieve acute signs of rhinopharyngitis in children.
5. Rinse with soda solution - help eliminate tickling and sore throat.
6. Herbal decoctions - chamomile flowers, sage, coltsfoot, St. John's wort, etc. are used for their preparation. Solutions are used for gargling in children over the age of 5 years. If the child is not able to perform this procedure, you can perform steam inhalations over decoctions. But they cannot be carried out at elevated temperatures.

Disease prevention

Treatment of nasopharyngitis in children may not be necessary at all if preventive measures are taken in time. The disease is more typical for babies with reduced immunity, weak and underweight. They are more susceptible to viral infections, nasopharyngitis, allergic reactions from the body.

To improve immunity and prevention, the following activities are recommended:

1. General hardening of the body - walking in the fresh air in any weather, clothing that does not allow hypothermia and overheating. As a result, the overall resistance of the body to colds is developed.
2. Prevention of viral infections in the autumn-winter period - the use of oxolin ointment and interferon-based preparations is recommended.
3. Breathing through the nose - it is very important to teach the child to inhale the air correctly as early as possible. In this way, it is cleaned and warmed, not only dust and allergens are eliminated, but also part of the viruses. In the presence of adenoids that impede normal breathing, the issue should be resolved with an otolaryngologist about conservative treatment or surgery.
4. Timely treatment of helminthic invasions and dysbacteriosis.
5. Limitation or complete exclusion of contact with the allergen. It is important to follow all the recommendations of the allergist regarding the nutrition and lifestyle of a sick child.
6. Maintaining the optimal microclimate in the room should be ensured in the room where the child sleeps - the air humidity is at the level of 40-60% and the temperature regime is notabove 22 °C. Daily ventilation of the room is a prerequisite for a speedy recovery and prevention.