Types of sore throat in children and adults. How to treat viral sore throat in children: symptoms, signs and causes of the disease, comprehensive treatment

Signs and treatment of sore throat in children at home

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The immune system in young children is at the stage of formation, so colds in children can occur quite often. Many parents are confident that a child’s sore throat is a completely common occurrence and does not require careful treatment. This is a big mistake: such inflammatory processes can leave a deep mark on the body.

The medical designation for sore throat is acute tonsillitis. It refers to infectious diseases, which are characterized by inflammation in the tonsils. The disease is contagious and primarily affects fragile organisms. Is it possible to detect a sore throat in a timely manner and how to treat it?

What causes tonsillitis?

One of the most common causes of the disease is infection from a sick person. How is angina transmitted in children? There are three methods: contact, airborne and alimentary. If at least one child from a kindergarten or school class comes to the team sick, after a few days the rest of the children may get sick.

In certain cases, the disease appears as if on its own, even if there was no contact with other patients. A certain amount of bacteria is constantly present on the mucous membranes. If they are in a “dormant” state and do not reproduce, the child’s health is not in danger.

But as soon as the immune system weakens a little, the infection mechanism starts.

The reasons may be different:

poor nutrition;
insufficient amount of walks in the fresh air;
weak physical activity.

If a child often suffers from sore throat, parents should pay attention to his quality of life.

The process can be triggered by slight hypothermia of the body, wet feet in the fall, or ice cream eaten in hot weather. Oddly enough, even prolonged overheating in the sun is dangerous: due to active exposure to rays, the immune system is weakened.

Acute tonsillitis is also often provoked by quite ordinary phenomena:

inhalation of cigarette smoke;
dirty polluted city air;
inhalation of household chemical vapors;
dry air in the apartment;
any viral infections.

Symptoms of a beginning sore throat

Symptoms of sore throat in children can be somewhat vague and masquerade as any other viral disease. The most important sign is that there is pain when swallowing, which is why children may refuse food and water. A pediatrician will be able to diagnose the disease even after a visual examination: the pharynx becomes bright red, the tonsils and arches swell.

The temperature at the initial stage of sore throat in children rises from 37 to 40 degrees. Treatment should begin at the first symptoms of the disease; if the temperature becomes too high, the baby may require hospitalization and an ambulance will have to be called.

In addition to a sore throat, the child gradually begins to experience the following symptoms:

unpleasant odor of the mucous membranes of the mouth;
sleep disturbance;
loss of appetite;
sore throat;
increased fatigue;
weakness;
snore;
cough with purulent “plugs”.

The lymph nodes (on the neck and under the jaw) become enlarged, and upon palpation the child may complain of pain. Inflammation often affects the vocal cords, causing the voice to become hoarse and wheezing. All this can continue for 7-10 days. The course of the disease will depend on its type and treatment.

Types of childhood sore throat

Experts distinguish several types of sore throat. They differ from each other in the nature of the course of the disease, the signs of the disease can also be different. While one type can be cured in five days, others will take weeks.

Follicular

From the moment of infection to the onset of symptoms, only a day passes; this type of sore throat develops very quickly. The main symptom is a sharp increase in temperature to 39-40 degrees. When swallowing, there is a sharp pain that radiates to the ears. Salivation increases.

Purulent plugs form on the tonsils, which look like gray-yellow dotted plaque. After two or three days they open and painful erosion occurs. After this, the temperature begins to drop. ()

Catarrhal

One of the rarest forms. The child may complain of a burning sensation and dry mouth, and acute pain appears during swallowing. The temperature can rise to 38 degrees, it lasts a long time, but in most cases the increase is insignificant. The disease can be confused with a regular ARVI.

Symptoms of intoxication of the body are acute: headache, increased fatigue, malaise. The younger the child is, the more severe the symptoms are. If catarrhal sore throat is treated correctly, then within five days the disease will begin to subside. ()

Fibrous

The temperature with fibrous tonsillitis increases slightly. The symptoms are classic - sore throat when swallowing, weakness, vomiting may occur, and snoring begins due to enlarged tissues. The surface of the tonsils is covered with a whitish film. This can be confusing: the disease can easily be confused with common diphtheria. An accurate diagnosis can only be made after a bacterial smear is taken.

Lacunarnaya

Lacunar angina resembles follicular angina, the difference is only in the degree of manifestation of the symptoms of the disease. It begins with a slight increase in temperature, the tonsils are covered with a yellow coating. After three to four days, the plaque separates from the surface of the mucosa, and the temperature begins to decrease.

The recovery process takes about a week, and treatment is usually quite easy. Improvement will begin after the lymph nodes begin to shrink. Snoring caused by tissue enlargement lasts three to four weeks. ()

Phlegmonous

In fact, this form is a complication after lacunar or follicular tonsillitis. With phlegmonous disease, cavities with pus appear on the tonsils. Symptoms include severe intoxication of the body, and body temperature rises significantly. The vocal cords are seriously damaged: the child begins to nasal, and speech may be unintelligible.

The condition will begin to improve after the abscess bursts. About 30 ml of pus comes out. If it breaks into the peripharyngeal tissue, a purulent leak may occur. The duration of the illness is at least two weeks.

Gangrenous

With this ulcerative-necrotic form, small but deep ulcers appear, in the center of which there is a greenish-gray purulent coating. The ulcers are uneven, and hemorrhages occur on the mucous membrane. If you remove the top film, it will recover after some time. The process covers not only the tonsils, but also spreads to the surrounding tissues.

Herpes

This type of sore throat is caused by herpes viruses; this disease is highly contagious. It is most often observed in very young children, and the symptoms are disguised as other diseases. The first signs are a high temperature (about 40 degrees). Against the background of classic symptoms, diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomiting occur. The tonsils become covered with red blisters; when they burst, they turn into red sores.

Mixed

Doctors consider this type of disease to be one of the most severe and dangerous. It is caused by different types of pathogens. Even if the primary infection has not yet ended, the secondary infection occurs almost immediately. This fact significantly complicates the treatment process and increases the risk of complications.

How to treat sore throat in children

Without the help of a therapist or ENT specialist, it can be difficult to “see” a sore throat. Parents are often sure that the baby has caught a common ARVI; they consider going to the doctor unnecessary and prefer treatment with usual means. This is a big mistake; the disease must be treated. This is possible even at home; hospitalization is not necessary, although the disease is very contagious.

Regular rinses are unlikely to give any results. It is strictly prohibited to independently select any medications (especially antibiotics for sore throat in children): this can only cause harm. Treatment should be carried out exclusively under the supervision of a doctor, especially since different types of sore throat require different remedies.

The best results can be achieved with the combined use of two types of therapy; everything can be done at home. Just pills are not enough; it is also important to gargle and choose the right diet. General treatment must be supplemented with local treatment; in addition, you can use homeopathic remedies and vitamin complexes that will help strengthen the immune system. They are especially needed if the child often suffers from sore throat.

During illness, a diet rich in vitamins and bed rest are necessary. How long can you go for a walk after illness? Sitting at home for weeks is useless: the child needs fresh air, regular walks will only help the body quickly recover. The duration of walks will need to be constantly increased.

Local treatment

Local treatment methods can only be used for children over two years old. It can be effective for follicular or lacunar forms of tonsillitis. Homeopathy and sprays are not the main drugs and are used as additional remedies. Gargling is almost mandatory: the throat needs mechanical cleansing of the tonsils. Solutions with antimicrobial and antiseptic effects actively relieve inflammation.

You can use hydrogen peroxide, weak solutions of potassium permanganate, “Furacilin”. Homeopathy and folk remedies are also used - solutions with soda and salt, decoctions of calendula, eucalyptus, chamomile and sage.

You can treat the tonsils with Lugol's solution, which has an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anesthetic effect.

You need to be careful with this product: it contains a lot of iodine, and if you are hypersensitive, there is a risk of developing allergies. In addition, Lugol is not recommended for children under five years of age.

For treatment of the oral cavity, an antibiotic in the form of an aerosol is recommended - “Bioparox”. It is effective against Candida fungi (they cause thrush), staphylococcus, streptococcus. Use 2-4 times a day, suitable for children over three years old.

During a sore throat, it is forbidden to use warm compresses: they increase blood flow, which will only complicate the course of the disease and allow the infection to easily spread throughout the child’s body.

Choice of antibiotics for children under 3 years of age

Treatment without antibiotics can be absolutely pointless - viruses need serious treatment. Moreover, these drugs most often cause various side effects. That is why the doctor should select the remedy, taking into account all the characteristics of the baby’s body.

Digestive problems often arise due to antibiotics, and children under 3 years of age are most often susceptible to them: in such children it is easier to knock down the bacterial background of the intestines, which will cause diarrhea. The older the child, the easier it will be for him to tolerate medications. Antibiotic treatment can be done at home.

For children of this age, antibiotics are produced in the form of a suspension or syrup, with a pleasant fruity smell and taste. The following medicine for sore throat may be prescribed for young children:

"Amoxiclav";
"Sumamed";
"Amoxicillin";
"Clarithromycin";
"Cefuroxime";
"Cefotiam";
"Cefazolin".

Do not exceed the dosage prescribed by your doctor. The prescription will depend not only on the age and weight of the child, but also on test results and the form of the disease. In case of negative reactions of the body (for example, if diarrhea begins), you additionally need to take probiotics (Bifiform or Linex) and antihistamines (Suprastin, Cetrin). The diet should include foods that are good for digestion.

Vitamins and herbal medicines

The attitude towards the use of vitamin complexes is not the most unambiguous: in some cases they provoke the development of allergies. The best option is a proper diet, in which the baby will receive the required amount of vitamins with food.

If the cause of the disease is weak immunity, which needs additional support, the emphasis should be on vitamins of groups B and C. You can purchase one of the popular vitamin complexes - “Alphabet”, “Multatabs”, “Pikovit”, “Centrum”. Sore throat cannot be cured with dietary supplements, but vitamins will only benefit the entire body.

Even infants can use herbal medicines. One of the most effective remedies is “Tonsilgon” (in drops). For very young children, 3-4 drops five times a day are enough, for preschoolers - up to ten drops. This drug is practically harmless and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Contains flavonoids of marshmallow and chamomile yarrow, oak tannins and essential oils.

When is it necessary to lower the temperature?

With a sore throat, the temperature can last from one day to four days. An increase is the first sign that the body is trying to resist the attack of microbes, and at the same time the body’s enzyme systems are activated. If the thermometer stays no higher than 38 degrees, there is no need to intervene, just monitor the child’s well-being.

If the temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees, it should be reduced with Ibuprofen or Paracetamol. The dosage depends on the age of the child. For older children, tablets are suitable; for children, it is better to buy suppositories.

If the child is able, you need to gargle every three hours. In addition, you need to drink plenty of fluids. The best option is natural fruit drinks (cranberry or lingonberry), rosehip decoction. Drinks should be at room temperature; liquid that is too hot can raise the temperature even further.

Possible complications

Each body reacts to diseases differently. The complications that may occur in young children differ significantly from the clinical consequences in adults. The difference is not only in the specificity of manifestations, but also in severity. Troubles may appear several weeks after the illness has passed. Complications of tonsillitis in one-year-old children are more common than in older children.

They threaten children:

chronic tonsillitis (enlarged tonsils);
otitis media (ear inflammation);
lymphadenitis (inflammation of the submandibular lymph nodes);
swelling of the larynx;
constant snoring;
abscesses (suppuration on the wall of the pharynx).

More serious problems begin after a few years. The kidneys, brain, joints and heart are at risk. If treatment is carried out incorrectly (or started too late), children may face pyelonephritis, meningitis, arthritis, and myocarditis in the future. That is why it is important to cure acute tonsillitis as quickly as possible.

A diet rich in vitamins, walks and physical activity - all this will help strengthen the child’s immunity and make his body less susceptible to various viral infections.

Entering school is a serious test for children's immunity. A previously healthy baby is exposed to a huge number of bacteria, viruses and infections through contact with other children. Sore throat is also not uncommon, which will be discussed today.

Symptoms

Sore throat is a contagious infectious disease associated with inflammation of the tonsils. The causative agents are special microorganisms - streptococci and staphylococci. This means that you cannot get a sore throat by simply getting your feet wet; you definitely need contact with a sick person.
The disease begins abruptly and has the following symptoms:

exacerbation at the very beginning, a sharp increase in body temperature (up to 40 degrees);
pain and redness in the throat;
feeling unwell - weakness, headache, loss of appetite, chills, increased sweating;
inflammation of the tonsils - they increase in size, turn red, acquire plaque, and severe pain appears when swallowing;
soreness of the lymph nodes near the ear and jaw.

Therefore, if your seven-year-old child suddenly develops a high fever and severe sore throat, you have the right to suspect he has a sore throat.

Purulent sore throat

Purulent tonsillitis is very dangerous for any person, but its treatment in children, including seven-year-olds, must be taken especially seriously. Accumulations of pus can be localized in different parts of the tonsils, and the course of the disease and its severity depend on this. One of the unpleasant consequences of purulent tonsillitis can be chronic tonsillitis and removal of tonsils. In addition, the disease caused by streptococcus can give tragic complications to the child’s health by affecting internal organs (heart, kidneys) and joints: pyelonephritis, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis and other terrible ailments. But don’t be afraid - with timely and effective treatment, the baby will not face such a development of events.
Only a doctor can determine the severity of the disease and prescribe adequate treatment; self-medication is extremely dangerous. With this course of the disease, recovery only through local therapy is impossible; you will need to take penicillin-type antibacterial drugs. In no case should you rush to stop taking medications at the first improvement in your health - this threatens a second round of the disease. The duration of treatment is at least 7 days, this will be confirmed by every competent specialist.

Treatment

Now let’s discuss how to treat a sore throat in a 7-year-old child in more detail:

first of all, before the body temperature drops, we send the baby to bed - excessive activity can manifest itself in the form of heart complications;
we give an antipyretic - paracetamol or ibuprofen will do an excellent job of this task;
We offer warm drinks - tea, raspberry decoction, dried fruit compote, clean water;
We don’t force you to eat, but if you have an appetite, we choose liquid and soft food that is not capable of injuring the already painful tonsils;
We give antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor - penicillin, erythromycin, for example;
we alleviate the external manifestations of the disease - gargling with a warm decoction of chamomile, sage or saline solution (1 teaspoon of salt per half liter of water) will help reduce discomfort when swallowing. We take the baby to the bathroom and rinse his mouth at least after every meal;
If necessary, you can resort to the use of painkillers.

Of course, at the first suspicion of a sore throat in your seven-year-old child, you should consult a doctor to draw up a competent treatment program. Postponing a visit to a specialist is fraught with disastrous consequences for the health of your baby.

Or acute tonsillitis is an acute infectious disease in which pathological changes are observed in the lymphoid tissue of the pharynx. Most often, the disease occurs among children, adolescents and the elderly. How to treat a sore throat?

The causative agents of the disease are group A hemolytic streptococcus, etc. Pathogenic microorganisms can enter the body in two ways: from the environment and internal foci.

The main factors that provoke the development of sore throat:

Hypothermia of the body.
Decreased immunity.
Past infectious diseases.
Avitaminosis.
Diseases of the nasopharynx.
Oral diseases.
People with weakened immune systems are more likely to become infected.

The first symptoms appear 1-2 days after pathogens enter the body. The patient experiences increased body temperature, chills, headache, and weakness.

The throat begins to hurt very much, and the patient experiences pain when swallowing. Against this background, appetite worsens and sleep is disturbed.In addition, they increase and there is pain on palpation.

Small yellow dots or purulent plaque may be found on the tonsils.You should immediately consult a doctor in the following cases:

A sharp decrease in body temperature.
Pallor of the skin.
Intense.
The appearance of seizures.
Decreased urine volume and change in color.
Lack of air.
Pain in the side, behind the sternum or lower back.

If the above dangerous symptoms are observed, then you need to call an ambulance or immediately consult your doctor.

Types of sore throat

There are several types of sore throat, which differ in course and symptoms:

. It has a light flow. This form is characterized by the absence of inflammation of the soft palate. The inflammatory process affects the mucous membrane of the tonsils and does not spread deeper.
. It is a continuation of the catarrhal form. Not only the mucous membrane is affected, but also the follicles. They become inflamed and there is an accumulation of pus. Upon examination, you can find yellow bubbles visible under the epithelium. Their size is about 1-3 mm.
Lacunar tonsillitis. It is characterized by inflammation of the lacunae of the palatine tonsils, with a yellow-white coating located in the recesses. Unlike the follicular form, lacunar tonsillitis is more severe.
Fibrinous tonsillitis. This form is characterized by the formation of a whitish-yellow film on the affected area. It is a consequence of lacunar tonsillitis and is characterized by severe intoxication.
Herpetic sore throat. There are rashes in the throat of a herpetic nature, but it has nothing to do with herpes infection. The disease is caused by enteroviruses.

Tonsillitis is an infectious disease and is highly contagious. The causative agents of sore throat can be transmitted in various ways from a sick person to a healthy person: airborne droplets and contact.

Pathogenic microorganisms are released in large quantities during conversation, when sneezing, etc. There is a high probability of infection while staying in the same room with a carrier of the infection.

The degree of infectiousness depends on the type of pathogen and the state of the immune system.

To a lesser extent, sore throat is transmitted by contact. Bacteria can be on dishes, cutlery, toys, food, etc.

Fungal tonsillitis is less contagious. The fungus lives on the mucous membranes of many people, so when the immune system is weakened, they make themselves felt. Bacterial and viral infections pose a great danger.

Principles of drug treatment

For sore throat, treatment is aimed at fighting the infection and eliminating symptoms. Treatment is usually carried out on an outpatient basis, but in severe cases of angina the patient is hospitalized.To reduce the symptoms of sore throat, hyperemia, plaque formation, aerosols and lozenges are used: Tantum Verde, Septolete, Strepsils, etc. These drugs have a local effect on the body.

It is useful to rinse with a solution of boric acid and sodium bicarbonate. At elevated temperatures, take antipyretic drugs with anti-inflammatory effects: Paracetamol, Panadol, etc.

Antihistamines may be prescribed: Suprastin, Loratadine, Claritin, etc. These medications are included in the general treatment regimen. They reduce the symptoms of an irritated throat. They are used for no more than 5 days.

There is no way to treat a sore throat without the use of antibiotics.

During treatment, the patient must remain in bed. It is important to exclude contact with other family members. To do this, provide the patient with separate dishes, a towel and other things.

When to use antibiotics

Sore throat is most often caused by hemolytic streptococcus or staphylococcus, so antibacterial drugs are prescribed to get rid of pathogens. It should be remembered that sore throat can be viral, bacterial or fungal in nature, and the use of antibiotics is advisable for bacterial sore throat.

To accurately select an antibiotic, the sensitivity of the bacterial infection to the drug is determined.

Penicillins and macrolides are used to treat angina in children: Amoxil, Duracef, etc. The dosage form for children is chosen in the form of a suspension, and for adults in the form of tablets. When prescribing an antibacterial drug, the doctor takes into account the severity of the disease, the weight and age of the patient, and the type of bacteria. Take antibiotics for 7-10 days.

If there is no improvement in the condition within 2 days, this indicates that the pathogen is resistant to this type of antibiotic.

More information about angina can be found in the video:

In this case, the doctor decides to change the drug. It is not recommended to stop taking antibiotics even after the symptoms disappear, since some pathogenic microorganisms will multiply again.

Antibacterial drugs inhibit the natural microflora, so after treatment it is recommended to use probiotics.If antibacterial drugs are not used in the treatment of sore throat, this will cause serious complications in the form of glomerulonephritis, encephalitis, etc.

Carrying out inhalation with a nebulizer

Therapeutic inhalations are one of the most effective methods of treating the symptoms of sore throat. This method has a local effect on the inflamed areas of the tonsils.

Their medicines for sore throat can be used in medicinal decoctions, etc.

As prescribed by the doctor, antibiotics are used - Gentamicin, etc. To eliminate inflammation and moisturize the mucous membrane, you can use ordinary mineral water.

The procedure should be carried out 1.5 hours after eating. After completing the inhalation, you should not eat food for an hour. The duration of the procedure should be from 2 to 10 minutes, depending on the age of the child.

The procedure for children should be performed with caution so as not to burn the mucous membrane.

Inhalations are not carried out in case of high temperature, allergic reaction to drugs, purulent form of sore throat, certain heart and lung diseases.

Elevated temperature with sore throat: how to bring it down

A sore throat is always accompanied by a high temperature. This is the body's reaction to the ingress of pathogenic microorganisms. With catarrhal tonsillitis, the temperature rises to 38 degrees, and with lacunar and follicular forms, an increase of up to 40 degrees can be observed.

There is no need to bring down a low-grade fever (up to 38 degrees), and if the indicator rises, then be sure to give the patient an antipyretic.

Types of drugs:

You can bring down the temperature with Paracetamol. This product is available in different dosage forms and under other trade names: Pyranol, Panadol, Adol, etc.
To bring down the child’s temperature, it is recommended to give syrup and suppositories (Ibuprofen, Ibufen, Cefekon, Efferalgan, etc.).

An antipyretic is not the mainstay of treatment and is taken systematically only when the temperature rises. In addition, the patient should be given plenty of fluids. It is useful to consume rosehip decoction, cranberry juice and other drinks.

Traditional methods of treatment

Non-traditional methods of treating sore throat reduce symptoms, but do not remove pathogenic microorganisms. They should be used in combination with drug treatment, then the patient will recover faster.

Popular folk recipes for the treatment of sore throat:

. Soak cotton wool in propolis tincture and lubricate the tonsils several times a day.
Garlic. Take a few cloves of garlic, peel and chop until you get a paste. Next, add milk to a glass, boil and let cool. Take a teaspoon several times a day.
Honey with lemon. Pour natural honey into a glass and add 1/2 cup of lemon juice to it. Mix everything well and take a teaspoon orally every hour.
Milk with figs. Pour a glass of milk into a small saucepan, boil and add a few dried figs. Then cool and drink and eat the berries.
Aloe tincture. Take a few aloe leaves, chop them and put them in a jar. Add sugar and wait until the juice comes out. After this, pour vodka and leave for 2-3 days. Take a spoonful on an empty stomach 3 times a day.
It is recommended to use a decoction of sweet clover, chamomile, dill seeds, and eucalyptus inside. Medicinal decoctions should not be consumed hot, so as not to irritate the throat mucosa.
Foot baths are effective for sore throats. To get a good result, you can add 2 tablespoons of dry mustard to the water. After the procedure, wear warm socks. It is prohibited to perform hot baths at high temperatures and when the disease becomes purulent.

Compresses for sore throat: is it possible or not?

They are considered a safe method of treating sore throat. They help relieve pain and reduce the symptoms of a sore throat.

But it should be remembered that the compress is applied only at the beginning of the development of the disease, when there are no ulcers on the tonsils. Warming compresses should not be used for purulent sore throat, furunculosis, fever, heart disease, or dermatitis. In this case, it is advisable to use other types of compresses.

The most common compresses for sore throat:

Cabbage leaf. This is a very effective pain reliever. It is necessary to apply a cabbage leaf to the throat every 2-3 hours and secure it with a scarf. You can also make a paste from cabbage and apply it to the throat area.
Vodka compress. Take gauze, make several layers and soak it in vodka. Next, apply to the throat and cover with cling film. Wrap a scarf on top. Keep for 6-7 hours. Instead of vodka, you can use diluted alcohol.
Potato compress. Take a few potatoes, boil and mash. Next, add a spoonful of vegetable oil and a few drops of iodine. Place the resulting mixture on a soft cloth and apply to the throat.
Saline solution. Dilute 2 tablespoons of salt in a glass of water, moisten gauze and place on the throat area.
Beetroot compress. Boil the beets and grate them. Distribute the resulting mass between 2-3 layers of gauze, put it on the throat, and wrap it in film. Wrap a scarf on top.

Compresses for children can only be applied from 3 years of age. It is recommended to consult a pediatrician first.

For angina, to achieve the best effect, it is recommended in combination with other treatment methods. You can use solutions of local antiseptics based on medicinal herbs or a soda-salt composition.

This procedure will help reduce sore throat and inflammation, as well as moisturize the mucous membrane.You can gargle using a decoction of chamomile, oak bark, string, etc.

Other equally effective rinse recipes:

Garlic infusion. Peel a few heads of garlic, chop them and add 100 ml of boiled water. Close the container tightly and leave for 5-6 hours, after which you can rinse.
Apple cider vinegar. Add a teaspoon of vinegar to 250 ml of warm water, stir and gargle 3-4 times a day.
. Add a spoonful of vinegar diluted with water to 200 ml of freshly squeezed juice. Then heat in a water bath and rinse.
Iodine solution. Add 5 drops of iodine to 0.5 liters of warm water. You can add a spoonful of sea or table salt. If you have problems with the thyroid gland, you should consult your doctor about the possibility of using this recipe.
Soda-salt solution. Add a teaspoon of salt and soda to a glass of boiling water and stir. When the solution has cooled, it can be used for its intended purpose.

It is necessary to gargle every 2-3 hours, or even more often. After the procedure, you should not eat food for some time.If you perform all the methods together, you can get rid of a sore throat in a short time.

Sore throat is an acute infectious disease and is characterized by an inflammatory process localized mainly in the tonsils, which is why it is also called acute tonsillitis. The causative agents can be bacteria, viruses and fungi, but in the vast majority of cases it turns out to be β-hemolytic streptococcus. Infection of children occurs through airborne droplets and, less commonly, through household contact with sick children or adults. Children aged 3 to 6 years who attend children's groups are most susceptible to the disease.

Catarrhal. It is characterized by a relatively mild course, superficial damage to the tonsils, their redness and swelling, and they are covered with transparent mucus on top.
Lacunarnaya. It manifests itself in the form of formation in the lacunae of the tonsils and on their surface of a yellowish-white purulent plaque.
Follicular. It is accompanied by an increase in the size of the palatine tonsils and the formation of yellow or white purulent plugs up to 3 mm in diameter on their surface.
Fibrinous. It is characterized by the appearance over the entire surface of the tonsils and sometimes beyond them of a fibrinous plaque of a whitish-yellow color in the form of a film; most often it is a consequence of lacunar or follicular tonsillitis.
Ulcerative-membranous. It is accompanied by loosening of the tonsils and the formation of a grayish-yellow coating on them, leaving superficial ulcers with a gray bottom, and develops with severe exhaustion of the body, immunodeficiency, and lack of vitamins B and C.

The first three forms are most common, with lacunar and follicular tonsillitis often being a continuation of catarrhal.

Sore throat in children can occur as an independent disease (primary) or be a consequence or complication of other diseases: diphtheria, scarlet fever, mononucleosis, leukemia, agranulocytosis (secondary). Depending on the pathogen, sore throat is divided into bacterial, viral, and fungal.

The most common bacterial pathogens of sore throat in children are streptococcus and staphylococcus. At the same time, diseases caused by streptococcus account for about 80% of all clinical cases.

The causative agents of viral sore throat can be the Coxsackie and ECHO viruses, as well as viruses of the herpes family (cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus), adenoviruses and others. The disease is accompanied by the appearance of rashes on the tonsils that look like blisters from herpes simplex, which is why this sore throat is called herpetic.

With fungal tonsillitis, there is a combination of damage to the tonsils by fungi of the genus Candida or Leptotryx with streptococci or staphylococci.

Reasons

Infection with sore throat in children occurs after contact with a sick child or adult by airborne droplets, through food, drinks and household items (dishes, towels, toys). A sick person is contagious to others from the first days of illness until complete recovery. The following factors contribute to the development and reproduction of pathogenic microflora on the tonsils when they enter the child’s body:

hypothermia;
consumption of cold drinks and foods;
decreased immunity due to existing or recent diseases;
chronic fatigue;
disease of the nasopharynx, accompanied by impaired nasal breathing;
poor nutrition.

This disease does not occur in babies under 6 months; in children from 6 to 12 months, sore throat is possible, but this happens extremely rarely. This is due to the fact that the development of the palatine tonsils and the differentiation of their follicles begins only from six months of age. Accordingly, if there are no tonsils, then there cannot be inflammation.

In some children, the tonsils are hypertrophied, often inflamed and represent a source of chronic infection. This disease is called chronic tonsillitis. Moreover, any additional infection, colds, hypothermia, stress causes its exacerbation, the symptoms of which are similar to those of a sore throat, but as such this disease is not a sore throat, since no infection occurs. Simply, under the influence of favorable factors for the development of pathogenic microflora, which is constantly present in small quantities on the tonsils, it begins to actively multiply and causes inflammation.

Symptoms

When children have a sore throat, the following symptoms suddenly appear:

an increase in temperature to 38-40°C, which is very difficult to reduce with traditional antipyretic drugs for children;
increase in size and pain on palpation of nearby lymph nodes;
severe sharp pain in the throat, painful difficulty swallowing;
feeling of dryness, soreness and tightness in the throat;
hoarse voice;
general weakness, nausea, loss of appetite, refusal to eat;
pain in joints, muscles and in the heart area;
headache;
moodiness, anxiety, tearfulness (in very young children).

Their intensity depends on the specific form and severity of the disease.

The main differences between a sore throat and a regular ARVI, which can also cause a sore throat and other symptoms of a sore throat in children, are the absence of a cough, runny nose, high temperature with chills, a sudden onset of the disease, the presence of pathological changes in the tonsils, and enlarged lymph nodes.

Diagnostics

If you suspect a sore throat, your child should be seen by a doctor. Self-diagnosis and self-medication in this situation can result in serious complications. The doctor must collect anamnesis, listen to the parents’ complaints, examine the pharynx and pharynx, assess the condition of the tonsils, and prescribe additional examinations.

To identify the cause of the disease, the child is given a general blood test, urine test and bacteriological culture of the throat (from the tonsils and back of the throat) to determine the sensitivity of the detected bacteria to antibiotics. With bacterial tonsillitis, a general blood test shows:

increased white blood cell count;
an increase in the number of band neutrophils;
increasing the content of immature forms of neutrophils (metamyelocytes and myelocytes);
decrease in the percentage of lymphocytes;
high ESR rates (up to 40-50 mm/hour).

Traces of protein and single red blood cells are found in the urine.

If the disease is caused by a viral infection, then the following deviations from the norm are observed in the general blood test:

increased content of lymphocytes;
slight increase in monocyte concentration;
decrease in the number of neutrophils;
increase in ESR.

With angina, it is important to carry out differential diagnosis, since typical symptoms are also observed with diphtheria and infectious mononucleosis. Unlike tonsillitis, diphtheria additionally affects the heart, kidneys, and nervous system, and with infectious mononucleosis, an increase in all lymph nodes, damage to the liver and spleen is observed.

Video: Sore throat in children and adults. How to treat

Treatment of sore throat in children

If a child is suspected of having a sore throat, parents should first call a doctor at home or go to a children's clinic. Treatment of this disease can take place both in a hospital and at home, depending on the severity of the patient’s condition. Children under one year of age are usually hospitalized immediately.

Diseases of viral etiology usually go away faster and easier than those caused by streptococcus or other bacteria. The basis of therapy for bacterial sore throat is antibiotics in oral or injectable form. For herpetic sore throat, treatment is symptomatic, but in addition, antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs are sometimes prescribed.

Treatment of angina is carried out comprehensively and includes the following medications:

drugs directly aimed at combating the pathogen (antibiotics, antiviral or antifungal agents);
antipyretic drugs;
antihistamines;
local antiseptics.

In addition to the medications prescribed by the doctor, it is necessary to give the child plenty of warm drinks (weak tea, compote, plain or still mineral water) to reduce intoxication, replenish fluid losses at elevated temperatures and prevent dehydration. The room where the patient is located must be wet cleaned daily and ventilated frequently.

In severe cases, children should be kept in bed during the first days of the disease. A sick child should be given separate dishes and hygiene items and isolated from other children to avoid the spread of infection. It is better to feed the child with warm crushed food of liquid or semi-liquid consistency (mashed potatoes, soups, cereals, broths), so as not to further injure the inflamed mucous membrane of the tonsils. From the same point of view, you should not offer your child spicy, sour, salty foods, carbonated drinks, or hot tea.

Usually, 3-4 days after the start of treatment for a sore throat, the child’s condition improves significantly, the sore throat becomes less intense, and the temperature does not rise to high values. Complete recovery in the absence of complications occurs within 7–10 days.

Antibacterial drugs

Antibiotics are the main element in the treatment of bacterial sore throat. Moreover, it has been established that it is more effective to start taking them on the second or third day from the onset of characteristic symptoms of a sore throat in a child, as this will allow the body to form a certain immunity against the pathogen for the future. However, if the child's condition is severe, then treatment should begin immediately.

For sore throat caused by streptococcus, antibiotics are used, which are available in the form of tablets, suspension or powder for the preparation of injection solutions. The choice of a specific drug and the method of its use is solely the responsibility of the doctor. The following antibiotics can be prescribed for children with sore throat:

amoxicillin from the penicillin group (flemoxin, ampicillin) or amoxicillin in combination with clavulanic acid (amoxiclav, augmentin, ecoclave);
azithromycin (sumamed, azithromycin, azitrox, hemomycin) and midecamycin (macropen) from the macrolide group;
cefuroxime (cefurus, zinnat, axetin), cefixime (suprax, panzef) and other antibiotics from the cephalosporin group.

It is very important not to stop taking antibiotics after the child’s condition improves, but to complete the full course of treatment, which for most drugs is 7–10 days. Otherwise, the likelihood of the child developing serious complications after a sore throat in the future increases, since the causative agent of the disease is not completely destroyed and becomes resistant to the therapy.

The absence of a therapeutic effect 3 days after taking the prescribed antibiotic is an indication for its replacement.

To prevent dysbacteriosis, probiotics are given to the child in parallel with antibiotics and for some time after finishing taking them. Such drugs include Linex, bifidumbacterin, bifiform, lactobacterin.

Local treatment

Local treatment of children with sore throat has an antiseptic effect, makes it easier to swallow, reduces inflammation and sore throat, but does not in any way affect the recovery time. The doctor should select medications for it, taking into account the child’s age and contraindications. Treatment may include gargling, lozenges or lozenges, or throat spray. It should be done after meals 3-5 times a day. Do not eat or drink for at least 30 minutes after local treatment of the throat.

For rinsing you can use:

furatsilin solution (2 tablets per glass of water);
0.01% solution of miramistin;
iodinol solution (1 tbsp per glass of water);
stomatidine;
solutions prepared according to the instructions from herbal preparations (ingafitol, evcarom) and extracts (rotocan, chlorophyllipt).

Sprays are used for children over 3 years of age, since at an earlier age children are not yet able to hold their breath while injecting the drug, which is fraught with reflexive contraction of the muscles of the larynx. When treating the throat with a spray to prevent laryngospasm, it is better to direct the spray of the drug not directly into the throat, but onto the cheek. Of the medications in this group for angina, children are most often prescribed ingalipt, hexoral spray, lugol spray, tantum verde, orasept.

Among the lozenges used for sore throat are faringosept, hexoral tabs, lyzobact, grammidin, strepsils, stopangin.

For very young children who are not able to gargle and dissolve tablets, local treatment may consist of removing purulent plaque from the tonsils using tampons soaked in the rinsing solutions listed above. To perform this procedure, the mother must wrap cotton wool around her index finger, moisten it in the medicine and wipe the throat mucosa with it. It is better to consult a doctor about how to perform this procedure correctly and whether it is worth doing it at all.

Antipyretics

To reduce the temperature, antipyretics approved for use in children are prescribed in the form of syrups based on paracetomol (Efferalgan, Panadol, Calpol) or ibuprofen (Nurofen, Ibufen). Considering that the high temperature characteristic of sore throat may be accompanied by vomiting, it is preferable to use them in the form of rectal suppositories (cefecon, efferalgan, nurofen).

Antihistamines

To prevent allergic reactions while taking antibiotics, many doctors prescribe antihistamines to children as part of complex therapy. Most often they are consumed in the form of syrups (Cetrin, Erius, Zodak, Peritol) or drops (Fenistil, Zyrtec).

Treatment with folk remedies

Among the folk remedies for the treatment of sore throat, gargling with infusions of medicinal herbs that have an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect is used. These include chamomile, calendula, sage, eucalyptus, St. John's wort. You can also use a solution prepared from ½ tsp for rinsing. salt and soda, 200 ml of water and a few drops of iodine.

An effective folk remedy for many diseases of the upper respiratory tract is warm milk with the addition of honey and butter. This drink softens the throat mucosa and relieves pain.

The use of traditional methods of treating sore throat for a child must be agreed with a doctor, since some procedures for this disease are strictly contraindicated. This primarily applies to steam inhalations and warming compresses.

Video: Pediatrician E. O. Komarovsky about the symptoms and treatment of sore throat

Complications

In the absence of timely and correct treatment, angina can result in disastrous consequences for the child. This is due to the fact that streptococcus, which in the vast majority of cases is the causative agent of the disease, affects the heart, kidneys and joints. As a result, after a few months or years, the child may develop the following severe chronic diseases:

rheumatoid arthritis;
glomerulonephritis;
rheumatic endocarditis and myocarditis;
meningitis;
sepsis;
necrotizing fasciitis;
rheumatic chorea.

Currently, thanks to the use of antibiotics effective against streptococcus, such complications are extremely rare. For their timely detection after a sore throat, it is necessary to observe a doctor for a month and conduct examinations (ECG, general blood and urine tests).

With angina, there is a risk of local complications that appear immediately during the disease. These include:

laryngitis;
purulent lymphadenitis;
pneumonia;
peritonsillar abscess.

Video: Complications of sore throat

Prevention

The most reliable method of preventing sore throat is to exclude the child from contact with children or adults infected with it, and carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene. In addition, parents should take measures in advance to strengthen the child’s immune system, which include a balanced diet, hardening, adherence to a daily routine, adequate sleep, exercise, and frequent walks in the fresh air.

Purulent tonsillitis is an infectious inflammation of the lymphadenoid tissue of the tonsils in a child. Various types of sore throat in children occur due to exposure to bacteria, viruses, and fungi. How to treat purulent tonsillitis depends on its type, severity and age of the baby.

To understand the causes of sore throat in a child, you need to know the mechanism of this disease. Tonsils are lymph nodes located in the throat, also called tonsils. The tonsils act as filters, killing foreign viruses and bacteria that enter the body.

The main causes of sore throat are bacterial factors. When there are a lot of microorganisms, the tonsils cannot cope with them. Then their size increases, and the inflammatory process begins.

The causes of sore throat are quite simple:

The baby is not eating well;
Rarely walks outside;
Doesn't breathe fresh air;
Does not exercise;
There are not enough vitamins in the diet.

Factors that cause sore throat:

Weakened immunity;
Previous viral diseases;
Inflammation of the nasopharynx;
Hypothermia.

The causes of frequent diseases of purulent tonsillitis are the rapid transmission of the pathogen by airborne droplets. The virus enters the body during conversation, sneezing, and through common household objects. Incorrect treatment of sore throat in children leads to, and the causative agent of the disease, streptococcus, causes allergies, pathologies of the kidneys, vascular system and heart.

Species

The extent to which the tonsils are affected indicates the type of sore throat. Sore throat in children can be acute or chronic. Acute purulent tonsillitis develops rapidly over several days. Plaque, pus or rashes appear on the inflamed tonsils, the type of which determines the type of sore throat in a child.

With chronic tonsillitis, there are no serious changes in the tonsils, so the disease can be confused with ARVI. In rare cases, acute tonsillitis quietly takes on a chronic form. This disease is called primary chronic.

Catarrhal

Catarrhal sore throat occurs very rarely. At first, the disease is acute: the throat becomes dry, a burning sensation is felt, then pain appears during swallowing and high fever. The tonsils become enlarged and their surface is covered with a white coating. The palate becomes red, the head hurts, and intoxication increases. Symptoms disappear after 5 days from the onset of the disease.

Follicular

occurs in an acute form. The first symptoms appear within a couple of hours after infection. The temperature remains high above 38 degrees. The sore throat radiates to the ear, and there is strong salivation.

In addition to the main symptoms, the child may experience vomiting, signs, and loss of consciousness. The lymph nodes in the neck become large and painful. The tonsils are covered with yellow or gray dots.

After a couple of days, the abscesses open, erosions form, which quickly heal. After opening the abscesses, the temperature returns to normal and the follicular sore throat goes away within 1 week.

Lacunarnaya

occurs after penetration into the body, symptoms are similar to follicular. The symptoms are more pronounced - the onset is acute, the temperature increases and lasts for a long period.

The entire surface of the tonsils is covered. When the plaque separates, the temperature does not decrease. Until the lymph nodes return to their previous size, the baby will be weak, have a fever and experience intoxication. If there are no complications, then lacunar tonsillitis goes away in 5 days. With complications, the duration of the disease increases significantly.

Fibrinous

Fibrinous tonsillitis is similar in symptoms to follicular and lacunar tonsillitis. The significant difference is that the tonsils are enveloped in a white transparent purulent film. This manifestation is similar to and many experts confuse these diseases. To establish the correct diagnosis, special smear examinations of the tonsils are performed. The patient is ill for 7 days after the first signs of fibrinous tonsillitis are detected in the child.

Phlegmonous

The phlegmonous form develops as a result of complications of lacunar and follicular tonsillitis. The tissues of the tonsils fill with pus, as in lacunar tonsillitis. There is a high temperature that lasts a long time, severe, and loss of appetite.

The baby has a hoarse voice and his speech is incomprehensible. Feeling better when the abscess breaks through. There may be a breakthrough of purulent masses into the throat. As a result, a purulent leak forms. Often, phlegmonous tonsillitis affects one side of the tonsils. The baby has been sick for 12 days.

Atypical

With atypical tonsillitis, the tonsils are affected by various bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which under normal conditions are not pathogenic. Symptoms are similar to the types listed above. The disease develops quickly. The throat becomes inflamed and sore, the temperature rises. Atypical sore throat goes away within a week from the onset of infection.

Simanovsky

Simanovsky-Plaut-Vincent angina is the most severe. It develops due to the activity of the natural microflora of the oral cavity, which is normally not pathogenic. Usually the disease forms when the body is weakened, poor nutrition, etc. Necrosis of the palatine tonsils occurs. There is a significant temperature, there is a rotten smell from the mouth.

Fungal

occurs against the background of oral candidiasis in a child. The temperature stays up to 38 degrees, the mucous membrane of the mouth and tonsils are covered with a white coating of curd consistency. It occurs quickly, in a mild form and disappears within a week.

Herpes

In children it is characterized by a long latent period, about 5 days. easily transmitted to others through coughing and touching. There is a feverish state and temperature up to 40 degrees. The throat hurts, diarrhea and vomiting appear. Red bubbles are visible on the tonsils, which after a while burst and form ulcers. When the ulcers heal, the patient's condition returns to normal.

Mixed

During mixed sore throat, lymphoid tissue is immediately attacked by several pathogens. In some cases, a secondary bacterial infection is attached. Fungi are attached to the bacteria that provoked the disease. Mixed tonsillitis in children is dangerous due to severe complications.

Symptoms

General symptoms that are characteristic of all types of sore throat:

Fever;
Weakness of the whole body;
Pale skin;
Poor appetite;
Fever;
Inflamed tonsils;
Intoxication;
Salivation.

If you notice symptoms of a sore throat in a child, you should definitely make an appointment with a doctor. The diagnosis is made after a medical examination. Prescribed to determine the causative agent of the disease. A sore throat should be treated immediately to prevent complications from developing.

Treatment

Sore throat is a rather dangerous disease and it can be difficult to cure. Treatment can even be done surgically.

It is impossible to cure a bacterial sore throat without the use of antibiotics, but with a viral sore throat, antibacterial agents, on the contrary, are useless.

An effective way to cure a sore throat is the use of several methods of therapy simultaneously - local and general.

Antibiotics

are used to kill streptococcal infections. It is necessary to stop at penicillin antibiotics; they are well tolerated and can be taken regardless of food. It is forbidden to give antibiotics to a child without the advice of a specialist.

The effective use of antibiotics such as:

Ampioxa;
Flucloxacillin.

If a child is diagnosed with penicillins, then drugs from other groups are used:

Azitrox;
Zithrolyl.

Cephalosporins are rarely prescribed:

The course of antibiotic treatment is 7-10 days. For Sumamed, the course of treatment is 5 days. The effect of antibiotics is assessed after a few days. The improvement is visible in the general condition of the patient. The temperature drops, the throat stops hurting, and the tonsils decrease in size.

The use of antibiotics destroys the beneficial microflora of the body. The child may develop dysbiosis.

Other drugs

In addition to antibiotics, antihistamines, vitamins and herbal medicines are used. Antihistamines include: in syrup (for use in children over 2 years old), Zodak, Peritol.

Additional remedies in the treatment of sore throat are vitamins. Experts advise consuming vitamins of groups B and C. You can take vitamin complexes: , Centrum.

The herbal medicine is often prescribed in drops. You can give infants about 5 drops 5 times a day. For older children, give 10 drops. The preparation consists of essential oils, chamomile flavonoids, marshmallow yarrow. The medicine relieves inflammation and makes the throat less swollen.

Operation

Removal of tonsils for angina is prescribed in the most critical situation, but only after the acute inflammation has been eliminated. Extensive damage to the tissues of the tonsils during purulent tonsillitis is subject to exception.

Tonsillectomy is prescribed during:

Recurrent tonsillitis, occurring about 5-7 times a year for 2 years;
Decompensated form of chronic tonsillitis;
which causes complications on the heart and kidneys;
Failures in the respiratory system due to severe damage to the tonsils;
Purulent complications of tonsillitis.

Folk remedies

When a child suffers from a mild form of sore throat, you can use folk remedies and carry out treatment at home.