Pharyngitis in children: photos, symptoms and treatment

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

Pharyngitis in children is much more common than in adults, and the clinical picture is more pronounced. This circumstance is associated with the peculiarities of the structure of the child's pharynx and the underdevelopment of its own immune defense. However, the local form of the disease is much less common. More often, the disease affects the adjacent tissues of the nasopharynx and respiratory tract. Sometimes pharyngitis is a complication after SARS, but it can be an independent disease or a separate symptom during measles, scarlet fever.

Causes of pathology

Pharyngitis in children can be viral or bacterial. In the first case, the culprits are:

• flu viruses;
• adenoviruses;
• rhinosyncytial viruses.

If the disease is caused by bacteria, then the cause may be:

• streptococci;
• staphylococci;
• mycoplasma;
• fungi.

Concomitant factors can also provoke the onset of the disease, such as: hypothermia, irritationoral cavity with spicy, cold or hot food, a general decrease in immunity during a protracted illness.

Parents should remember that pharyngitis in children can be the result of untreated caries of milk teeth, inflamed adenoids, chronic sinusitis and runny nose.

Children are often diagnosed with non-infectious pharyngitis. The culprits of the pathology are various allergens, polluted air, nasopharyngeal injuries, mechanical damage to the throat. To give impetus to the development of the disease can be a disease of the stomach, when all the contents are ejected into the esophagus. In this case, a chronic form of pharyngitis often develops, and its treatment begins with the elimination of the underlying problem.

Forms of Manifestation

Specialists identify many forms of the disease. There is a certain classification depending on the fundamental feature.

According to the focus of the disease:

• catarrhal - affecting the surface of the pharyngeal mucosa;
• granular - lymphoid follicles are affected.

By the nature of the course, doctors diagnose:

• acute pharyngitis:
• subacute form;
• chronic.

The disease can affect different organs. Depending on the distribution, they are distinguished:

• Pharyngitis limited. The disease is localized in one area, but this form is extremely rare in children.
• Diffuse. Pathology affects the entire surface of the pharynx, lateral ridges and walls.

Sharp shape

Acute pharyngitis in children is characterized by swiftness and a pronounced clinical picture. The entire mucous membrane of the pharynx is affected, while neighboring areas are affected. The characteristic signs of the onset of inflammation are:

• sore throat;
• burning in throat;
• sharp pain while swallowing.

To have a better idea of the manifestation of the disease, it is worth considering the signs of pharyngitis in the photo.

Symptoms in children are almost always identical and do not present any difficulties for the pediatrician in making a diagnosis. Come to the fore:

• redness in throat on visual inspection;
• temperature rising over 38 degrees;
• weakness and general deterioration of the child;
• refusing food due to pain when swallowing.

The younger the child, the more pronounced the clinical picture of the disease. Pharyngitis is especially dangerous for infants. Inflammation can lead to swelling of the throat. But the baby is not able to point out the problem, so it is important for parents to carefully monitor his condition and immediately show him to a specialist in case of sleep or appetite disorders.

Diagnosis of disease

Pharyngitis in children (photo below) is diagnosed by a doctor during a visual examination. At the same time, a whole complex of signs is observed:

1. Redness and swelling of the mucous membrane of the larynx. Inflammation often passes to the soft palate and pharyngeal ridges. A little later, small white bubbles appear.
2. On the wallspharynx appears mucus. If nothing is done, then pus begins to be produced.
3. When palpation of the cervical lymph nodes, their increase is felt. The child complains of soreness.

However, a visual examination only makes it possible to make a diagnosis. But only bacterioscopy and examination of a smear taken from the pharynx will help to identify the nature of the inflammation and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Chronic form

If the acute form of the disease is not treated, chronic pharyngitis often occurs in children. At the same time, the pathology is often sluggish, with blurred clinical manifestations, but an acute form of the disease periodically occurs. Two types of pharyngitis can develop:

1. Granular. The tissue of the lymph nodes is affected. If such pharyngitis is diagnosed in children (the photo above clearly shows this), then red nodules are clearly visible on the entire surface of the pharynx. The epithelium is modified, which shows microscopy. The danger lies in the fact that the nodules grow and affect the trigeminal nerve, which leads to atrophy of the mucous tissues and dryness of the throat. Pharyngitis in children with granular form is manifested by constant sore throat and a desire to cough. Children complain of pain when swallowing and thirst in the morning.
2. Atrophic. On examination, there are strong changes in the mucosa and an extensive lesion. In this case, not only the covers of the pharynx are affected, but also the lymph nodes, glandular tissue. The atrophic form leads to diseases of the nasopharynx and affects the gastrointestinal tract.

This is important

Quite often doctorsdiagnosing pharyngitis in children. Reviews of parents, however, show that the disease is often confused with a sore throat. It must be clearly understood that the symptoms and complaints of children can be identical, and only a specialist is able to distinguish between different forms of pathology.

The main difference between pharyngitis and tonsillitis is the localization of the inflammatory process. If the focus is on the walls of the pharynx and its lateral ridges, then pharyngitis develops. At the same time, there is hyperemia of the mucous membranes and severe swelling.

In the case of tonsillitis, the tonsils are affected, plaque in the gaps and purulent plugs are visualized.

Treatments

How to treat pharyngitis in a child, only an ENT doctor can tell. The disease is insidious with its complications, so you must follow all the instructions of a specialist. However, if an acute form is diagnosed, then hospitalization is not required, all manipulations are carried out by the parents themselves.

Treatment of pharyngitis in children at home involves following general recommendations:

1. Regular gargling with antiseptic solutions is required to relieve inflammation.
2. You can use an inhaler to relieve a persistent scratchy throat.
3. When there is no temperature, hot foot baths are recommended. The procedure helps to improve the general condition and reduce symptoms.
4. Plenty of warm water is recommended to flush out toxins.
5. Constant irritation of the throat leads to more inflammation. Therefore, with pharyngitis, a sparing diet is indicated. Foods that are too hot, cold, spicy andsweet. The food should be soft at first.

However, when prescribing medical procedures, the doctor will always focus on the condition of the baby and his age.

Babies under one year old

If the inflammatory process affects the pharynx, then, most likely, it develops, as seen in the above photos, pharyngitis.

In children, treatment depends on their age. So, in the smallest, the disease passes in an acute form, and at the same time the general well-being of the child suffers. Due to pain when swallowing, babies refuse to eat, so they may begin to lose weight. The difficulty lies in the fact that infants cannot perform gargling. All kinds of lozenges are also prohibited, which facilitate perspiration.

Using compresses

Cough with pharyngitis in children is especially disturbing. If the child does not have a temperature, then at home you can help him with the help of compresses. Warm wraps help relieve seizures and alleviate the general condition of the body. The most popular are the following:

1. Honey mustard. You will need one tablespoon of honey, dry mustard, flour and vegetable oil. The resulting mass is divided into two halves. One part is placed on the chest and neck of the child, the other on the back. Everything is fixed with a bandage, and pajamas are put on the baby. The compress can be kept for about two hours. It helps with a prolonged cough.
2. Honey-fat. It is necessary to take two tablespoons of honey and goose (pork) fat. The resulting mixture is rubbedback, chest and feet of the baby. You can not rub the mass hard. Then the child is wrapped up, be sure to wear woolen socks on his feet. Procedures are best done before daytime or nighttime sleep. Duration - about two hours.
3. Potato. The compress is very popular and easy to prepare. It is necessary to boil the potatoes, cut them and put them in a plastic bag. After the mixture has cooled down (check on your own body), the bag is wrapped in a diaper, applied to the baby’s chest and wrapped up. The procedure should not take more than an hour.
4. Mustard wraps. Previously, mustard plasters were ubiquitous. However, their use in children is associated with a risk of burns. Mustard wraps are the safest, but no less effective. To do this, dissolve two tablespoons of dry mustard in a half-liter jar of warm water. Next, gauze is wetted in the solution and wrapped around the baby's chest. A diaper is placed on top and covered with a warm blanket. The procedure should not last more than five minutes. It is also not recommended to conduct more than 3-4 sessions.

Recommendations for the treatment of infants

In the treatment of pharyngitis in infants, a lot of difficulties arise. Indeed, due to their age, they cannot gargle, and many medicines are forbidden to them. However, viral pharyngitis in children usually does not require special treatment and resolves with a doctor's advice and the following conditions:

• If the baby is older than four months, then you need to regularly give him warm water.
• To avoidbronchospasm, doctors do not recommend the use of sprays in the treatment of children under one year old. However, you can use solutions and moisten the nipple or teether with them. Faringosept has proven itself well.
• Massage your baby's back, chest and feet regularly.
• You should not limit the natural mobility of the baby, regularly take him in your arms and give him an upright position.
• Ventilate the room regularly and use a humidifier.

Treatment of children from one to two years old

Pharyngitis in this age category is also quite difficult, because children still cannot gargle, cough, and all their symptoms are pronounced. Basically, if the disease is not aggravated by other pathologies, then abundant drinking, inhalations and compresses are prescribed. Do not experiment with nebulizer medications and use regular saline without a doctor's prescription.

At this age, it is already possible to treat the throat with antiseptic sprays. Most often, "Givalex" or "Yoks" are prescribed. However, you should be careful not to get carried away with sprays, so as not to provoke a spasm of the larynx.

Features of the treatment of pharyngitis in children older than three years

In the treatment of preschool children, the main thing is to follow a diet, a sparing regimen and drink plenty of warm water. Spicy, sour, s alty and hot dishes should be completely excluded from the child's diet. They will unnecessarily injure an already sore throat. Children need to regularly put compresses, soarlegs and do inhalations with medicinal herbs. To do this, use:

• chamomile;
• sage;
• calendula;
• currant and raspberry leaves;
• oregano.

Ready-made pharmacy fees will do. They are also used to prepare solutions for gargling.

It is after the age of three that a child can be taught to gargle. To do this, you need to invite the baby to take some liquid into his mouth, throw back his head and pronounce the sound “aaaaa”.

Children who can absorb and not chew candy can be offered antiseptic lozenges. Local treatment relieves pain and tickling well.

Antibiotics: to give or not to give

Antibiotics are not usually prescribed for pharyngitis. However, the disease can provoke other pathologies, so the doctor may recommend adding antibiotic therapy. Of course, before their appointment, it is necessary to take a swab of the pharyngeal mucosa, because often pharyngitis is of a viral nature.

Quite often, pharyngitis is cured without the use of various pills. However, in advanced and severe cases, when mucosal atrophy is observed, antibiotics are often prescribed. But doctors prefer topical medications over systemic ones. In this case, they act selectively and have less effect on the body as a whole.

Conclusion

Of course, you can not completely insure the child from pharyngitis, but hardening, immunity support, regular walks in the fresh air will help to prevent getting sick in the future. In seasondiseases, it is better to refrain from visiting places where there is a large crowd of people.