How many days does a child’s fever last for acute respiratory infections? An increase in temperature during acute respiratory infections is a protective reaction of the body

ARI in children is one of the most common diseases. Children aged 2 to 13 years are most often exposed to acute respiratory infections. In the first 2 years, acute respiratory infections are often complicated by infectious processes in the organs of the upper or lower respiratory system.

The concept of acute respiratory infections includes multiple diseases - from a simple runny nose to bronchitis or tracheitis. Symptoms of acute respiratory infections in children of the first 3 years of life can last up to 14 days, while in older children the symptoms last no more than one week (this is the average statistical data).

Why do diseases occur?

All diseases that are included in the list of acute respiratory infections are caused by certain pathogens. Foreign agents enter the body in different ways:

• airborne method;
• contact-household method.

There are also certain factors that contribute to the occurrence of the disease, these include:

• allergic reactions;
• somatic diseases;
• intrauterine infectious processes;
• unfavorable environment.

A baby can suffer acute respiratory infections three to eight times a year. This often development of the disease is dictated by the fact that pathogens are easily transmitted from child to child by contact and airborne droplets, and by the fact that the immune system of young children has not yet fully matured. After an acute respiratory infection is suffered, young children do not develop stable immunity, Dr. Komarovsky talks about this in his lectures.

The peculiarity of this group of diseases is that if the baby is breastfed, these diseases develop much less frequently than in children who are bottle-fed. This is due to the fact that antiviral substances are transmitted to the baby along with the mother’s milk, which help him cope with colds and flu.

Types of acute respiratory infections

According to their pathogenesis, all acute respiratory infections are divided into:

• respiratory syncytial infectious processes;
• parainfluenza;
• flu;
• rhinovirus infection;
• adenovirus infection.

Symptoms depend on what kind of pathology develops and the symptoms appear.

The first symptoms of acute respiratory infections in children

The most common clinical manifestation of a cold is pain, sore throat, redness and swelling of the mucous membrane in the throat. Then other signs appear, which include:

• swelling of the nasal mucosa, congestion, this symptom is caused by the accumulation of mucus;
• pain and discomfort in the nose;
• frequent bouts of sneezing;
• runny nose, production of secretion in the nose, which is released at the very beginning of the disease, during this period the so-called snot is usually transparent, after a few days the discharge becomes thick and dark in color;
• cough - this symptom begins to appear immediately at the onset of the disease in approximately one third of patients;
• hoarseness of voice;
• weakness, general malaise.

Less common cold symptoms in children

In addition to those listed, there are also other, less common clinical signs:

• hyperemia, fever, body temperature rises to 39 degrees;
• headache;
• ear pain, severe pain in the hearing organs can be caused by an infectious process in the middle ear;
• muscle pain;
• loss of taste and smell;
• irritation in the eyes, rhinorrhea;
• a feeling of compression in the ear apparatus.

The most pronounced and unpleasant symptoms of acute respiratory infections in children appear in the first 2-3 days of the disease, after which the condition gradually begins to improve. Older children get sick for about 7 days, children under the age of five get colds for up to two weeks. But if a symptom such as cough is present, it can last up to three weeks or even up to a month with tracheitis. When a child develops symptoms of a cold, you should be attentive to this and promptly consult a doctor for help. It is not recommended to self-medicate so as not to provoke the development of complications.

How does parainfluenza manifest in children?

This type of acute respiratory infection develops within three to four days. The disease is characterized by an acute onset, temperature rises, hoarseness of voice, pain in the throat, pain in the sternum, dry and irritating cough, and runny nose. After a few days, the temperature may rise to high levels. This type of acute respiratory infection in a baby can cause false croup.

The duration of parainfluenza is about 10 days. Parents need to contact their children’s doctor in a timely manner to know how to remove the unpleasant manifestations of the infectious process in the body.

How does adenovirus infection manifest?

This process of infectious genesis is characterized by a gradual, wave-like onset. Young children experience the following symptoms:

• hyperthermia;
• chills;
• headache;
• general malaise and severe weakness;
• nasal congestion;
• severe runny nose with clear discharge from the nasal cavity;
• cough.

Often, with an adenovirus infection, there is a parallel increase in the size of the lymph nodes, pain in the eyeballs appears, conjunctivitis and tonsillitis develop.

What is the clinical picture of respiratory syncytial infection?

The disease develops within 3 days. Key manifestations are determined by the age of the young patient. In infants and one-year-old babies, symptoms are manifested by lesions of the upper respiratory tract.

In addition to the general symptoms of a cold, young children experience disturbances in appetite and sleep, the skin becomes pale, and the lips appear blue. It is important to seek medical help in a timely manner, this will prevent the development of serious infectious processes in the body and possible consequences of diseases.

Colds in children are often accompanied by fever and unpleasant symptoms. Acute respiratory infection is the most likely disease in children, the cause of which can be more than 200 viruses and bacteria. A child under 5 years old gets sick quite often, and how to quickly return him to his former playful mood and not harm the child’s health with potent drugs is described below. But how the flu differs from acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections, and what symptoms will help identify a particular disease, is indicated here.

Calling or visiting a doctor may be necessary if your child has been experiencing the following cold symptoms for a long time:

• lack of appetite;
• cough;
• moodiness and restlessness;
• runny nose. It is worth noting that sea buckthorn is a good remedy for a runny nose.
• dry or wet cough;
• redness of the eyes, sometimes they become “like slits”;
• headache;
• apathy towards games;
• nasal congestion;
• nasal pain and constant sneezing;
• high temperature, which can reach up to 39 degrees;
• pain in the ears.

You should also learn more about what signs of acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections exist in adults.

On the video - detection of the disease in a child:

Sometimes parents themselves cannot determine exactly what is wrong with their child, confusing the symptoms of a common acute respiratory infection with the flu, although they are similar, the flu is always accompanied by a rise in temperature and frequent chills.

How to distinguish acute respiratory infections from acute respiratory viral infections in a child?

If the doctor makes an incorrect diagnosis and prescribes serious treatment, then the child may develop complications that can result in bronchitis, pneumonia, neuritis and malfunctions of the genitourinary tract. To understand the differences between these two diseases, you need to know that they are caused by completely different viruses.

The second difference is the different course of the disease: with an acute respiratory viral infection, the temperature immediately rises, while with an acute respiratory infection, a runny nose, cough or body aches may initially begin, accompanied by a headache. And then a temperature may appear, but it does not last long and rarely exceeds 38 degrees.

ARVI is considered a more acute manifestation of acute respiratory infections, in which respiratory viruses play a major role.

For those who want to learn more about how ORZ differs from ARVI, you should follow the link and read the information in the article.

Most often, colds appear due to severe hypothermia, but they can be confused with diseases caused by viral infections. ARIs mostly refer to all types of colds, but they can negatively affect different organs, so the following types of diseases in this group are distinguished: bronchitis, rhinitis, laryngitis, nasopharyngitis and tonsillitis.

The video shows the difference between the diseases according to the doctor:

Pathogens of acute respiratory infections are present in the air and objects surrounding the child. The state of the child’s immunity will determine how often he gets colds.

The therapy is based on the use of medications prescribed by the doctor; it is impossible to independently select a medicine for children to eliminate the symptoms and causes of the disease, so as not to harm their fragile body. In the first days of the disease, it is possible to relieve fever or eliminate redness in the throat using improvised home remedies, but if they do not give the desired effect, then you should not delay visiting the doctor.

As soon as you notice the first signs of illness in your child, you need to immediately give him warm water to drink, since at this time his body loses a lot of fluid and it must be replenished so as not to lead the baby to dehydration. It is necessary that he drinks at least 2 liters per day, this is the amount of moisture that will help cope with the temperature and improve the dilution of sputum, which is present during a wet cough. You should also pay attention to how to quickly cure acute respiratory infections in an adult

The ideal option would be to give your child berry fruit drinks, fruit juices and mineral water, which contain many useful substances and vitamins.

Therapy is carried out taking into account visible and detected symptoms, and several rules should be followed:

• monitor the baby’s temperature by measuring it at least 2 times a day;
• at high temperatures, he must be provided with bed rest;
• ventilate the child’s room as often as possible and wash the floors at least once a day;
• if the fever does not exceed 38 degrees, then it is better not to fight it with medications, in this case you need to wait until it goes away on its own or use folk remedies in the form of vinegar rubs or frequent changes of wet towels;
• the choice of antibiotics depends on the examination of the baby; it is forbidden to buy them yourself, much less choose their dosage yourself;
• During the illness and after it, you should try to increase the child’s immunity so that he can quickly overcome the disease.

Medicines

Among the necessary medications for acute respiratory infections are:

• antihistamines, which help with nasal congestion and relieve swelling;
• antipyretics are used as painkillers, in addition, they relieve inflammation; children's paracetamol or other drugs based on it are most often prescribed.

It is advisable to give the child vitamins at this time, which can be selected with a doctor or pharmacist in accordance with the baby’s age. If his acute respiratory infection is accompanied by a cough, then syrups or effervescent tablets are prescribed, which are selected taking into account the nature of the cough to dilute it or transfer it to a wet state. Before purchasing any of the drugs suggested by the doctor, you need to make sure the quality of the product, check the expiration date, and make sure the reliability of its manufacturer. When choosing remedies, it is important to understand which ones should be taken first. and for this you should learn more about what the temperature should be during acute respiratory infections.

Traditional methods

• The main emphasis of home treatment will be to drink plenty of fluids; it should be warm, not hot or room temperature, but heated to a warm state.
• A baby who has a strong fever should be wiped with alcohol diluted with water, or a sheet should be soaked in this mixture and the baby should be wrapped in it.
• If in the evening you find that the baby is coughing, then at night he needs to put on warm socks, and first put 1 tsp in them. dry mustard, he will feel much better in the morning.

In the video - treatment of acute respiratory infections without drugs:

Essential oils help with acute respiratory infections. They need to be combined in the amount of three drops with honey and taken three times with the main food. Lemon, pine and lavender oils are suitable for medicinal purposes.

But what medications are the most effective for acute respiratory infections and colds and how to choose them correctly. detailed here.

How long does the disease last?

An acute respiratory infection can last up to two weeks if a child under 2 years old gets it. Older children suffer from colds for no more than 1 week. If the cold is very difficult, it can last up to 3 weeks, especially when it is accompanied by a cough.

The temperature is usually present for the first three days, then it either goes away on its own or is brought down.

If a child falls ill with an acute respiratory infection, you should listen to the doctor’s recommendations and under no circumstances prescribe treatment yourself. Folk remedies cannot be a full-fledged alternative to medications; if treated incorrectly, they can harm the child’s health and delay his recovery.

Symptoms and treatment of acute respiratory infections in children

Every mother who has raised at least one child can safely call herself a specialist in the treatment of colds in children; she knows what acute respiratory infections symptoms and treatment in children are. Due to their small age, children cannot tell where it hurts; when they are very young, they just cry.

• Decreased appetite.
• Pointless worry.
• Increased fatigue.
• Anxious, interrupted sleep.
• Increased need for rest, lethargy.

Signs of acute respiratory infections in a child

• Stuffy nose, nasal voice.
• Runny nose.
• Red, inflamed eyes.
• Temperature increase.
• Weakness.
• Pain when swallowing.

What is acute respiratory infection

If you look at it, acute respiratory infections are not an independent disease, but a whole group of acute diseases, mainly of the respiratory system, transmitted by airborne droplets and contact.

The nuances of the course and the list of possible complications depend on the type of respiratory disease and the target organ of the pathogen.

According to the decree of the World Health Organization (hereinafter referred to as WHO), a doctor cannot make a final diagnosis indicating the type of acute respiratory infection pathogen without the results of culture of a swab from the nose and throat. But culture is a fairly long study, the result comes in three weeks, sometimes in one month, and a cold goes away on average in a week or two. By that time the child had been healthy for a long time. Treatment of uncomplicated cases of ARVI is in most cases symptomatic. Without treatment, they can also recover, but then the risk of complications, the addition of a bacterial infection against the background of a weakened immune system, increases significantly, and this is a good reason for prescribing antibacterial drugs.

Symptomatic treatment

• Intoxication – headache, pain in muscles, joints at high temperatures, changes in taste in the mouth, lethargy, drowsiness.
• Hyperthermia is an increase in body temperature. It comes in white and red.
• Catarrhal - rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, pharyngitis, nasopharyngitis, otitis media, laryngitis, tracheitis and other combinations.

• Isolation of a sick child from healthy children, ban on attending public events, kindergartens, schools.
• Plenty of warm (not hot!) drinks - children drink compotes well, sweet tea with honey and lemon, you can add one pinch of ground ginger, which has an antiviral effect.
• Light food, don’t force yourself to eat.
• Gentle motor mode, limit excessively active games.
• For recovery, adapt the conditions of the room in which the baby is located - a slightly cool (18-22ºС), fairly humid, ventilated room.
• Mandatory daytime sleep is a remedy that will significantly speed up the healing process.

Pathogens of acute respiratory infections and clinical features

1. Rhinovirus– affects the nasal mucosa. Features: rhinorrhea, clear, abundant, watery discharge from the nose, with swelling of the mucous membrane - congestion and sneezing. Mucus can drain down the back of the throat, irritating it and causing a short, dry, frequent cough. There are herpetic rashes around the mouth. Saline solution for rinsing the nose is the best medicine, cream with acyclovir is as needed.
2. Respiratory syncytial infection– the incubation period for the manifestation of the first symptoms is 3-7 days, in older children in the form of a scanty runny nose, conjunctivitis, sometimes with an increase in temperature to 38 with a dry cough, chest pain. In young children - with symptoms of bronchiolitis with broncho-obstructive syndrome - inflammation of the terminal branches of the bronchi, “pre-pneumonia” in the form of shortness of breath, paroxysmal barking cough with thick discharge. It takes about two weeks to recover from an uncomplicated course.

Mucus-thinning agents, Ambroxol preparations, are prescribed, but only until the effect appears, then they are replaced with a milder agent, for example, Ivy Syrup. In order to quickly treat acute respiratory infections of this type in children under 3 years of age and reduce the risk of developing pneumonia, it would be good to acquire a nebulizer - an inhalation device that adjusts the size and speed of inhaled particles of the medicinal drug. Only this device delivers a flow of medicine with the required force to deliver the medicine to distant bronchioles.

1. Adenovirus– symptoms of acute respiratory infections are distinguished by an acute wave-like course; after relief of symptoms, on the fourth day there is a repeated increase in temperature, which the next day begins to decline towards recovery. The submandibular, cervical and occipital lymph nodes are enlarged, pain when swallowing with a runny nose and conjunctivitis with photophobia and lacrimation.
2. Parainfluenza– incubation period 2-4 days, acute onset. Hoarseness, sore throat, fever up to 38, persistent, dry, barking cough, runny nose with clear, streaky discharge. Hospitalization is indicated for children under 2 years of age due to the risk of sudden development of false croup with laryngeal stenosis and suffocation.
3. Flu– a sudden increase in temperature to 39ºC against the background of complete health, with pronounced soreness of muscles, joints, headache, and severe weakness. The target organ of the influenza virus is the trachea: a strong constant paroxysmal cough, right up to the pain of the intercostal muscles.

Common mistakes parents make in treating children with acute respiratory infections

1. The use of antipyretics lengthens the time the body secretes the virus and does not affect the duration of the fever. It should not be given at temperatures below 38.5ºC, and for those younger than 2 months - 38ºC, as well as those with congenital heart defects and chronic diseases. For children, only paracetamol is indicated - containing antipyretics in suppositories or syrup - it is convenient to select the dose according to age, for example Nurofen, Efferalgan.
2. It is strictly forbidden to give drugs to children under 12 years of age: Aspirin, Analgin, No-Shpa (Drotaverine).
3. Paracetamol also has an analgesic effect. On the one hand, it is good to alleviate the suffering of a child, but you cannot use it more than 4 times a day and longer than 3-4 days - so as not to miss the onset of possible complications: pneumonia, otitis media, bronchitis - they all require specific antibacterial treatment.
4. You cannot use antibiotics without the written permission of a doctor; you cannot independently choose how to treat acute respiratory infections with complications.
5. When you have a fever, you should not wrap yourself in blankets, dress warmly, even if you feel cold, which means an increase in temperature. It is important to organize such conditions so that heat transfer occurs unhindered, although this process is already disrupted as the temperature increases. Do not aggravate or interfere with the body’s fight.
6. You cannot use so-called warming procedures - mustard plasters, compresses with dimexide, which, by the way, are prohibited for children under 12 years of age, cupping, rubbing at elevated body temperatures, so as not to overheat, and their effectiveness has not been proven.
7. Ventilate the room as often as possible. The air is desirable to be cool rather than hot, moderately humid rather than dry - to facilitate breathing and prevent the mucous membranes from drying out - a barrier against the addition of secondary infections.
8. If a sick child has a decreased appetite, force feeding will not bring any benefit, since the production of digestive juices decreases as a reaction to intoxication and hyperthermia. It is better to offer easily digestible food - an omelet with milk, toast with tea with lemon, chicken broth, yoghurt.

Immediate contact with a pediatrician

• Acute respiratory infections in children under 1 year of age. Up to 2 years or even three, it is advisable to see a pediatrician for colds.
• The temperature during acute respiratory infections in children on the 3rd day does not tend to decrease.
• The child sleeps for more than 12 hours and cannot be stirred up, he does not respond to feedback.
• At first or after a couple of days, any rash appeared on the body to rule out serious dangerous infections - rubella, measles, chicken pox.
• There are deposits and plaques on the temples - this is a danger of diphtheria.
• 1-2 days after the temperature dropped, there was no relief of well-being.

How to treat a runny nose

It is important to create effective evacuation of mucus from the nose. A small child does not know how to blow snot into a handkerchief, but you can achieve cleansing of the nose with saline solutions using a bottle with a spray nozzle. You need to irrigate your nose, and not pour liquid into it. You cannot use all kinds of watering cans due to the anatomical features of the structure of the auditory tube and pharynx; mucus and water can get into the auditory canal, and rhinitis will be complicated by inflammation of the ear.

For vasoconstrictive purposes, children's Nazivin is used as needed before bedtime.

Salt preparations: Aquamaris, Humer and others are used to treat acute respiratory infections in children.

What to do with a cough

First look at the throat. If the child cannot open his mouth sufficiently, use a spatula or a suitable part of a clean teaspoon. Assess the condition of the arches and tonsils. The normal color is pink. For comparison, you need to look at the gums or the inside of the cheek. Carefully inspect for the presence of deposits, plaque, films - everything that should not be there.

Purulent tonsillitis manifests itself as bright red, loose arches with small dots, smaller than a match head, gray-yellow in color. If you see something similar, you should immediately go to the doctor; if confirmed, antibiotics will be prescribed.

Diphtheria - severe intoxication, lethargy of the child, refusal to eat and severe pain when swallowing, gray films on the arches, when removed, the mucous membrane bleeds.

Infectious mononucleosis - a bright red throat and tongue with a high temperature - up to 39ºC, which lasts for several days without falling, and severe weakness, lethargy of the child.

Cough with acute respiratory infections from an inflamed throat is short, frequent, intermittent, without expectoration or wheezing. Orasept spray, lozenges: Lizobakt, Lizak will help.

Measures to prevent acute respiratory infections

Prevention of acute respiratory infections in children should be comprehensive and constant, not only during the cold season - then it is too late. Prevention is cheaper than treating acute respiratory infections. And there is no risk of complications at all.

• Contrasting douches - while bathing, alternate room water with warm water. Always start and end warm. The dousing time ratio is 1:10, that is, 20 seconds cool and 2 minutes warm.
• Go for walks with your child in any weather, every day. Even a 15-minute walk will have a better impact on your health than sitting in a warm, dry room.
• Feeding an infant with breast milk will significantly reduce the risk of acute respiratory infections in children under one year of age.
• If the child is 1-2 years old, you can also periodically feed breast milk.

The prognosis for recovery from acute respiratory infections is good, without residual effects in an average of 2 weeks in preschool children and a week in older children.

Despite the experience of mothers in treating colds, one should not refuse the expert opinion of a pediatrician.

ARI is a diagnosis that absolutely everyone knows, especially often when faced with it in childhood. This abbreviation denotes a group of different infectious diseases that are united by a common feature: they are transmitted, as a rule, through the respiratory tract by airborne droplets.

If there is reason to believe that the disease was caused by a virus, then another abbreviated name is assigned - ARVI. If we talk about how ARVI differs from acute respiratory infections, ARVI is of viral origin, and acute respiratory infections include all variants of respiratory infections. That is, ARVI is also an acute respiratory infection. Having understood the terminology, let’s take a closer look at how you can become infected.

The source of the disease, as well as its spreader, is the sick person. If we are talking about a virus, then only a few hours can pass from the moment of infection to the appearance of the first symptoms. Bacterial infections develop a little more slowly, their incubation period can last up to 10-12 days.

The most famous form of ARVI is influenza. It is provoked by influenza viruses, which can also be different. It is characterized by high intoxication of the whole body and the rapid progression of the disease:

• At very high temperatures, seizures may occur
• An advanced form of influenza can trigger the development of pneumonia
• At the beginning, problems arise in the throat - soreness, hoarseness, soreness. After - runny nose

• Then a dry, very painful cough may appear and bronchitis may develop. Then expectorated sputum appears. The color of sputum can range from clear to yellow and green. These colors indicate that a bacterial infection has developed in the bronchi.
• As intoxication increases, a rapid increase in temperature begins, pain throughout the body, pain in the eyeballs
• Some types of influenza cause nausea, vomiting, and intestinal upset
• The illness usually lasts up to 10 days, but the feeling of weakness can persist for up to three weeks.

A milder form of influenza is parainfluenza. The symptoms are the same as regular flu, but the course of the illness is much shorter. Usually a person is sick for only a couple of days, and the temperature rarely rises to 38 C. But parainfluenza can be accompanied by inflammation of the eyes and the development of conjunctivitis.

Adenovirus infection also develops rapidly, just like influenza. The temperature can reach 39 C and last up to a week. Unpleasant sensations in the nasopharynx arise immediately, but eye soreness begins on the fourth day. This form of ARVI is accompanied by conjunctivitis, which often turns into a purulent form. The lymph nodes become inflamed, and vomiting and diarrhea may occur. There is a risk of starting to pneumonia.

Any ARVI virus survives in sputum for the longest time – from a week to two. A little less on glass surfaces – up to ten days. Several days on metal and plastic surfaces. Paper keeps the virus alive for up to 12 hours, and fabric – 10. In the air, viruses can remain viable for a minimum of 2 hours, and a maximum of 9. On human skin – only 15 minutes, but the risk of infection still remains.

Symptoms

In the overwhelming majority, acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections develop on the third day, the symptoms are as follows:

• a runny nose appears
• cough
• your throat may hurt
• weakness may appear
• body temperature rises more often from the first day

• muscle pain
• fever
• swollen lymph nodes may be a reaction to infection
• in some cases, children may experience headaches and fainting

Symptoms intensify over 2-3 days, then subside. The ARVI disease itself does not pose a danger to children, but complications can be dangerous. Therefore, it is still necessary to treat the disease.

Do not try to diagnose your child and treat him yourself, as there is a chance that the infection will go deep. Symptoms disappear after an average of 7 days, although the cough may persist for much longer.

To successfully overcome the disease and correctly recognize the symptoms in children, you need to undergo simple tests. Your doctor will prescribe them if deemed necessary. Can be assigned:

• Analysis of urine
• General blood analysis
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Throat smear

If the doctor has prescribed tests, an accurate diagnosis will be made after they have been submitted and deciphered.

How to prevent and is it necessary to fight?

Despite such a wide distribution of diseases in this group, there is no need to leave it to chance, thinking that all children are sick, it’s okay, it will go away on its own.

1. Children need to be hardened, it is important to keep them away from sources of infection
2. During the off-season and during the spread of epidemics, it is necessary to conduct a course of vitamin prevention of acute respiratory infections

Every experienced parent is already familiar with the symptoms and treatment of acute respiratory infections in children. Preschool children can get sick several times a year. And the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections are similar in both children and adults.

The first thing you notice is refusal to eat, restless sleep, apathy, and a tired appearance of the child. The doctor will definitely prescribe treatment.

What besides drugs?

Even the fact that you are familiar with the treatment regimen is not a reason not to listen to its instructions. Along with these measures, do not forget about simple and important things that contribute to recovery:

• You shouldn’t go for a walk with your baby, but you definitely need to organize access to fresh air in the room where the sick child is. Reach air temperature up to 20 degrees
• Eliminate the baby's contact with the air from the air conditioner directly. Let him work in another room
• Wet cleaning of the house - washing floors, wiping dust with a damp cloth
• Don't give your child a bath, but still don't give up on basic hygiene. At least wiping with a damp towel at a temperature that is pleasant for the child
• If you sweat frequently, you should change your baby into dry clothes.
• Use a spray bottle, spray bottle, or a simple wet cloth to humidify the air in the room

• If your child wants to sleep and sleeps for a long time, do not wake him. Feed and take medications when he wakes up on his own.
• Do not force your baby to eat under any circumstances. If he has a poor appetite, then it is better to brew him chamomile tea with rose hips, maybe sweet. Fresh juices and dairy products are healthy
• Be sure to rinse or at least irrigate your throat if it is red or sore. To do this, prepare a solution of a teaspoon of sea salt per glass of water.

Treatment of acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections

• Compresses

Question: “When to give medications to reduce fever?” – worries every mother of a child. It is enough to remember the general rule for all children: antipyretics are given when the temperature has reached 38 degrees and tends to rise. Before this, it is best to apply cool compresses to the forehead.

When a damp cloth moistened with water and a light vinegar solution is placed on the forehead, heat is transferred into the cloth, which alleviates the baby's condition. Be careful that the pungent smell of vinegar and the baby’s delicate skin do not allow a strong concentration of it in the water for compresses. A teaspoon per glass of water is enough.

• Paracetamol

The favorite and safest remedy for fever is paracetamol. It is prescribed in combination with an antiallergic drug and vitamin preparations. There are ready-made preparations that combine these components. They are available in the form of syrups, tablets and instant drinks. When choosing them, pay attention to the availability of children's dosages.

• Contact your doctor promptly

If your temperature rises too high, call a doctor at home immediately! The rapid development of ARVI, if it is influenza, can lead to serious problems. You should definitely contact your doctor if you have a fever for more than three days.

Pay close attention to ensure that there is no pain when breathing, shortness of breath, clouding of consciousness, or convulsions. Alarming symptoms are the appearance of bruises on the skin, vomiting or diarrhea, and very severe headaches. All these symptoms require urgent medical attention.

• Don't forget to treat your runny nose

Having snot in a child is an unpleasant thing. Infants especially have a hard time with nasal discharge, as it makes sucking difficult. The baby begins to get nervous and sleeps poorly. Therefore, the spout is washed with a solution of sea salt, taken on the tip of a teaspoon, dissolved in half a glass of warm water.

Children don't like taking medications, especially when there is a lot of them. Kudos to the modern pharmaceutical industry for making medicines sweet and aromatic. Children of past generations were deprived of such benefits.

According to statistics, up to 90% of all infectious pathologies are acute respiratory infections, observed in various etiopathogenetic variants: viral, bacterial, allergic. The most “vulnerable” category in relation to the development of acute respiratory infections are children. Every year, a child develops at least one episode of acute respiratory infections, and frequent acute respiratory infections in a child are observed when the function of the immune system is impaired.

Some pediatricians are inclined to assume that the conclusion of acute respiratory infections in children is very abstract and priority should be given to determining patient management tactics based on determining the etiopathogenetic variant of acute respiratory infections.

Unfortunately, many parents are irresponsible about such a pathology as acute respiratory infections, believing that this disease is prone to self-healing and does not need correction. However, such a protracted course of this pathology, not amenable to drug correction, provokes various complications of acute respiratory infections in children in the form of bronchopulmonary pathology, inflammatory changes in the ENT profile, provoking the formation of additional sensitization of the child’s body, which can provoke a delay in psychomotor and physical development.

The maximum incidence rate occurs in the age category from 1 year to 5 years; persons attending any educational institutions are especially susceptible. Frequent acute respiratory infections in a child belonging to this category is justified. ARI in children under one year old, fortunately, is rarely observed, especially in breastfed newborns.

Determining the volume of necessary treatment for acute respiratory infections in children directly depends on the etiopathogenetic variant in which this pathology occurs, namely: it is of a bacterial or viral nature.

Causes of acute respiratory infections in children

The source of acute respiratory infections in children, as with acute respiratory infections in adults, is exclusively a person who has all the clinical signs of the disease or a virus carrier who has an asymptomatic course of acute respiratory infections. Characteristic for children is the possibility of spreading the pathogen of acute respiratory infections not only through airborne droplets, but also through contact and household contact through contaminated household items and hands.

ARI in a breastfed infant is extremely rare, which is due to the powerful protection of maternal antibodies, which are transmitted to the child not only at birth, but also through breast milk.

The incubation period for acute respiratory infections in children is in most cases short, ranging from several hours to five days; its duration directly depends on the characteristics of the pathogen that causes acute respiratory infections, which are striking in their diversity. In daily practice, a virological study of every child who has signs of acute respiratory infections is not carried out, which is due to the laboriousness and high cost of this study. Such studies are used only in cases of severe disease to select etiotropic therapy.

The most favorable conditions for the spread of acute respiratory infections in children are close oral contact of a child with a sick person, poor air ventilation in the room where the child is, violations of the sanitary and hygienic regime, and low humidity in the room.

Frequent acute respiratory infections in children develop as a result of the specificity of the immune response produced in response to the entry of a pathogen into the child’s body. Thus, after suffering an episode of acute respiratory infections, the child develops immunity only to a specific pathogen and does not protect the body from other types of viruses and bacteria.

Predisposing factors for the development of acute respiratory infections in children of different age categories include the presence of hereditary and congenital respiratory diseases, unfavorable environmental factors, insufficient child care, and disruption of breastfeeding.

Among the viral pathogens that provoke the development of acute respiratory infections in children, the most common are influenza viruses, parainfluenza, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, rhinoviruses and respiratory syncytial viruses. The role of bacterial pathogens is coccal flora, Legionella and Haemophilus influenzae. In some situations, there is an associated effect on the child’s body of both viral and bacterial particles, which provokes the development of a severe form of acute respiratory infections, prone to the formation of complications.

Different etiopathogenetic variants of acute respiratory infections in children are characterized by different seasonality of the disease. Thus, acute respiratory infections of parainfluenza etiology are characterized by an increase in the incidence rate in the autumn, while respiratory syncytial infection is most active in winter. In the summer, there is an increase in the incidence of acute respiratory infections of enteroviral etiology, and adenoviral acute respiratory infections in children are observed at any time of the year.

Considering the pathogenesis of the development of acute respiratory infections in children, it is necessary to separately mention the issue of the “entry gate of infection,” which can be the proximal respiratory tract, the conjunctiva of the eyes, and even the digestive tract, which differs from the pathogenesis.

Symptoms and signs of acute respiratory infections in children

The nature of the course of acute respiratory infections in children directly depends on the age of the child. Thus, in a child infected from his mother, the course of clinical symptoms is usually more severe and acute.

The most common manifestations of acute respiratory infections in children include rhinitis, discomfort in the throat when swallowing and speaking, cough of various types, signs of intoxication and fever.

Emergency situations that require immediate correction by a pediatrician include the appearance in a child of unmotivated weakness, intense headache and muscle stiffness, weakened sucking reflex, stellate shape, multiple episodes of vomiting, decreased daily diuresis and increased blood pressure, signs of ear inflammation, barking cough, increased body temperature exceeding 39°C.

The clinical picture of acute respiratory infections in children consists of symptoms of general intoxication, occurring in varying degrees of intensity, and damage to the structures of the respiratory tract. Clinical diagnosis of the etiopathogenesis of acute respiratory infections in children is extremely difficult, since in each child the course of one or another etiopathogenetic form of this disease can differ significantly.

When examining a patient and establishing a diagnosis of acute respiratory infections in children, it is mandatory to indicate the symptom complex of damage to the respiratory tract organs, the nature of the course of the disease, the severity and presence of complications of acute respiratory infections in children.

Symptom complexes of damage to the structures of the respiratory tract include various variants of inflammatory changes in the form of rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, which are most often combined with each other and are extremely rarely observed in isolated form. Acute respiratory infections in children are characterized by the manifestation of only the acute form of bronchitis.

When determining the etiopathogenetic form of acute respiratory infections in children, it should be taken into account that each pathogen of this disease with particular selectivity affects the structures of the respiratory tract. Rhinoviral acute respiratory infections in children predominantly affects the epithelial cells of the nasal cavity, which manifests itself in the form of symptoms of rhinitis (difficulty in nasal breathing, the presence of copious mucous discharge from the nasal passages, unpleasant sensations in the nasal cavity in the form of a burning sensation).

Adenoviral acute respiratory infections in children are characterized by inflammatory damage to the lymphopharyngeal ring and conjunctiva, which occurs with a pronounced exudative component. The predominant localization of inflammatory changes in parainfluenza acute respiratory infections in children is the larynx, so laryngitis comes first in the clinic. Respiratory syncytial acute respiratory disease in children is characterized by the appearance of inflammatory changes in the lower parts of the respiratory tract with the development of bronchitis symptoms.

The severity of intoxication manifestations also directly depends on the specificity of the causative agent of acute respiratory infections in children. The most pronounced intoxication syndrome is characterized by influenza acute respiratory infections in children, manifested by a maximum increase in body temperature exceeding 39–40°C. With a complicated course of acute respiratory infections, children develop multi-wave fever. An increase in skin temperature during acute respiratory infections in children most often manifests itself as chills, intense headache, localized mainly in the forehead.

Intoxication manifestations in parainfluenza acute respiratory syndrome in children are minimal, and the course of the disease is usually gradual. Adenoviral acute respiratory infections in children, which most often proceed favorably, are characterized by a similar intensity of intoxication manifestations. Rhinoviral acute respiratory infections in children occur without any increase in body temperature, therefore this etiopathogenetic form is considered as the most favorable in terms of its impact on the child’s health. Acute respiratory infections in children, provoked by exposure to mycoplasmas, are characterized by a gradual onset of clinical manifestations and, at the same time, their prolonged course. Diarrhea due to acute respiratory infections in a child is observed, as a rule, with enteroviral etiology, and can also be observed against the background of a sharp increase in body temperature.

Complications of acute respiratory infections in children are most often manifested by the development of infectious-toxic shock with the development of acute cardiovascular failure and cerebral edema. The most common variant of the complicated course of acute respiratory infections in children is the development of viral or bacterial pneumonia.

With regard to the laboratory signs of acute respiratory infections in children, there are differences: with viral etiology there is also a tendency to, while with bacterial genesis, on the contrary, neutrophilia is noted with a shift in the leukocyte formula to the left.

Temperature during acute respiratory infections in children

When examining a child with suspected acute respiratory infections, special attention should be paid to assessing the temperature reaction. Most parents, without the knowledge of the pediatrician, use antipyretic drugs even at low body temperatures, which is a grave mistake. Any infectious disease specialist and virologist will answer that an increase in body temperature in a child with acute respiratory infections is a favorable sign and indicates good function of the immune system.

In addition, it is a generally accepted fact that in conditions of elevated body temperature there is a significant slowdown in viral replication and colonization of bacterial flora.

When a child has a fever, lymphocytes are activated, which primarily respond to the entry of infectious agents into the body during acute respiratory infections. In addition, the synthesis of endogenous interferon is possible only under conditions of increased temperature reaction, exceeding 38°C. In connection with the above arguments, we can conclude that in case of acute respiratory infections in a child, antipyretic drugs cannot be used prematurely, provided that the indicators do not exceed 38.5 ° C.

A high temperature during acute respiratory infections in a child is most often observed with influenza etiology, and at the same time, the temperature reaction in this pathology is relatively short-lived. In a situation where a child has a history of increased convulsive readiness, antipyretics should be used even with a minimal increase in body temperature.

Non-drug therapeutic measures for acute respiratory infections in children that help reduce body temperature should include wiping the child’s skin with water at room temperature and increasing the drinking regime. In the acute period of acute respiratory infections in children, at the moment of maximum increase in body temperature, bed rest is mandatory.

Factors that aggravate fever include excessive warmth, dirty bowels, and eating large amounts of food. Thus, fever requires more not taking medications, but compliance with the care regimen for a sick child. A child’s temperature after an acute respiratory infection may, on the contrary, drop below normal, which is a sign of asthenic syndrome.

The most unfavorable course is cold fever, in which, against the background of high body temperatures, coldness of the upper and lower extremities is noted. In this situation, in addition to taking antipyretic drugs, antispasmodic drugs like No-shpa should be used.

In a situation where any antipyretic drug is used at high body temperature, its effectiveness is assessed within an hour, since during this period the body temperature must decrease by at least 1.0 ° C. Currently, pharmaceutical companies offer a wide range of antipyretic drugs, but Paracetamol has the most beneficial effect on the child’s body.

Diagnosis of acute respiratory infections in children

Diagnosis of acute respiratory infections in children is made on the basis of clinical manifestations, taking into account the epidemiological situation in the region where the child lives, and the results of laboratory research methods. Laboratory research for acute respiratory infections in children consists of such techniques as: isolation and identification of the virus, as well as determining the increase in the titer of antiviral antibodies in the child’s blood serum.

Isolation of the virus that causes acute respiratory infections in children is carried out from discharge from the throat, as well as from the nasal passages, which is obtained in the form of swabs. It is advisable to collect swabs on an empty stomach, after which they must be placed in a thermos with ice and urgently sent to a virology laboratory.

Currently, an express method for identifying viral pathogens of acute respiratory infections in children is widely used in the practice of pediatricians, the results of which can be determined already in the first hours of the disease. As a material for research using the express diagnostic method, a preparation of epithelial cells from the nasal cavity, collected with a cotton swab, is used. This technique does not belong to the category of highly specific and can only be considered as a screening method for studying a child with acute respiratory infections.

More accurate and specific methods of laboratory diagnosis are serological research methods, which involve determining the increase in antibody titer. A reliable sign of the viral etiology of acute respiratory infections in children is an increase in antibody titer by 4 or more times over time. The most favorable period for carrying out a primary serological analysis for acute respiratory infections in children is the third day of the disease, and a repeat analysis should be performed on the fourteenth day. In a situation where the primary analysis is performed after the fifth day of illness, the reliability of the result sharply decreases.

Treatment of acute respiratory infections in children

There is a wide range of therapeutic measures used for acute respiratory infections in children, which most parents use without the knowledge of the pediatrician, however, it should be taken into account that with improperly organized and inappropriate medical care, the risk of developing frequent episodes of acute respiratory infections with the formation of chronic infectious foci and complications of the underlying disease increases significantly. All this can be avoided by following the doctor’s recommendations for the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children.

The most common mistake in treating a child suffering from acute respiratory infections is the desire to reduce body temperature even in a situation where it does not reach high levels. In case of fever, it is necessary to improve heat transfer in all possible ways, for which you should remove warm, tight clothes from the child and wipe the skin with water at room temperature. In no case should you use any alcohol solutions to wipe a child, as they can provoke the development of intoxication in the child’s body.

As antipyretic drugs, preference should be given to drugs whose active ingredient is Paracetamol, the effect of which lasts 3 hours, or Ibuprofen, which lasts up to 6 hours (Eferalgan per child’s weight, Nurofen 5 ml orally). These drugs have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect and, at the same time, a wide range of side effects in the form of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, stool disorders, and bleeding of various locations. Unlike the above medications, Analgin, used to lower the temperature, can provoke the development of more severe complications in the form of damage to the function of the hematopoietic system, and therefore its use is not permissible for children with acute respiratory infections. Repeated use of the same antipyretic drug is allowed only after four hours in order to prevent overdose. Another common mistake in the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children is the regular use of antipyretic drugs, which should be used only when there is a significant increase in body temperature.

Herbal medicine is widely used in the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children. As medicinal herbs used in the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children, a variety of herbal preparations are used, containing chamomile, calendula, sage, eucalyptus, which are used for gargling and oral administration. When using herbal remedies, one should not forget that they are also medicines, and therefore have contraindications and side effects. Herbal medicine should be used especially carefully in children who have.

Regarding the use of the antibacterial component of therapy for acute respiratory infections in children, there are clear indications and contraindications. Under no circumstances should antibiotics be used for every episode of acute respiratory infections in children. In the general structure of the incidence of acute respiratory infections, cases of viral origin of this disease significantly prevail, so the widespread use of antibiotics cannot be considered appropriate.

There is a myth that the routine use of antibiotics for acute respiratory infections in children can prevent the development of bacterial complications. In fact, the unreasonable prescription of antibacterial drugs provokes the suppression of the growth of normal microflora, thereby opening the way for the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms in the respiratory system.

Unjustified prescription of antibiotics for acute respiratory infections in children often causes the proliferation of drug-resistant pathogens, the development of intestinal dysbiosis, and a decrease in the child’s immunity. Thus, the uncomplicated course of acute respiratory infections in children is not an indication for the use of antibacterial drugs. In a situation where the use of antibiotics is indicated for a child suffering from acute respiratory infections, preference should be given to the penicillin group (Augmetin 250 mg per day).

The use of vasoconstrictor drugs for the treatment of rhinitis should be considered as a symptomatic treatment for acute respiratory infections in children. When prescribing intranasal vasoconstrictor drugs like Nazivin to a child suffering from acute respiratory infections, it should be taken into account that these drugs have a short-term pharmacological effect and do not at all affect the cause of rhinitis. Nazivin 1 drop in each nasal passage can be used for no more than three days, after which it should be replaced with another drug in order to prevent the development of complications in the form of atrophy of the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity.

When prescribing intranasal vasoconstrictor drops to children with acute respiratory infections, one should not forget that with their uncontrolled use, rapid absorption of the active substance is possible and the development of a toxic effect on the structures of the cardiovascular system and the brain. Before using any intranasal drugs used to eliminate the manifestations of rhinitis in acute respiratory infections in children, the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity should be thoroughly cleaned, for which saline solutions such as Aquamaris are used.

In the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children, one should be extremely careful when prescribing antitussives. Antitussive codeine-containing drugs are recommended to be used only in cases of severe cough accompanied by vomiting (Libexin 0.025 g three times a day). You should also be extremely careful about the use of expectorants in young children suffering from acute respiratory infections, since as a result of increased stimulation of the cough center in the medulla oblongata, aspiration of the respiratory tract may develop.

In the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children, you should not resort to physiotherapy at home in the form of pepper applications, rubbing, as such manipulations can provoke burns to the skin.

Acute respiratory infections in children - which doctor will help? If you have or suspect the development of acute respiratory infections in children, you should seek advice from doctors such as a pediatrician or an infectious disease specialist.

Abbreviations ARI and ARVI ( acute respiratory disease And acute respiratory viral infection) are one of the most common diagnoses that a local doctor or pediatrician can make when, upon examination of a patient, characteristic symptoms of inflammation of the respiratory tract are observed. Both terms indicate the presence of inflammation that occurs in an acute form in the respiratory part of the human respiratory system.

The development of acute respiratory infections causes any infection capable of affecting the ciliated epithelium of the respiratory tract. The main method of infection is inhalation of air containing an infectious agent. An exception may be an adenoviral infection, for which an oral route of administration is possible (for example, with water).

Acute respiratory infections are widespread in different countries of the world; they affect representatives of different social groups, people of different genders, ages, and races. They account for a third of the total annual incidence. For example, on average per year, adults get sick with the flu or other acute respiratory infections more than twice, schoolchildren or students 3 or more times, and children attending preschool institutions get sick 6 times.

The difference between acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections is the key cause that caused the disease. In the case of ARVI, it is a viral infection. The list of main causes of respiratory diseases most often includes the following:

• Hypothermia;
• Bacterial infection (including chronic);
• Viral infection;
• Allergic reaction to the action of foreign substances.

The separation of ARVI from the group of respiratory diseases is primarily due to the difference in the pathogenesis and treatment of these diseases. However, p According to many authors, ARVI accounts for about 90-92% of morbidity in the structure of acute respiratory infections.

Brief characteristics of pathogens of acute respiratory infections

The development of acute respiratory infection occurs due to bacteria and viruses belonging to various families and genera, as well as mycoplasmas and chlamydia. Possible combinations in the form:

1. Virus-virus infection,
2. Virus-bacterial infection,
3. Virus-mycoplasma infection.

The clinical picture of such forms of acute respiratory infections may have similar manifestations with varying severity of the disease and spread of infection.

The greatest contribution to the overall incidence of acute respiratory infections is made by a viral infection, which is caused by:

• Rhinoviruses;
• Coronaviruses;
• Respiratory syncytial viruses.

Damage to local immunity and the development of inflammation of the respiratory organs can provoke further development bacterial:

1. (calls out "typical");
2. Respiratory mycoplasmosis and chlamydia.

influenza virus, depending on the season and the prevalence of a particular type, it may contribute 20-50% contribution to the overall incidence of respiratory diseases. He belongs to the family orthomyxoviruses, the genome of which consists of RNA molecules, is distinguished by the presence on its surface of neuraminidase and hemagglutinin molecules, which provide the antigenic variability of this virus. The most variable type A differs from the stable types B and C in that it very quickly changes structural properties and forms new subtypes. Viral particles have rather weak stability in warm climates, but are resistant to low temperatures (from -25 to -75 ºС). Warming and dry climate, as well as the effect of small concentrations of chlorine or ultraviolet radiation, suppress the spread of the virus in the environment.

Adenovirus infection cause DNA containing viruses family of the same name, differing in genomic composition. Adenoviral infection can compete with the influenza virus in terms of incidence, especially in the group of children from 0.5 to 5 years old. The virus does not have high variability in terms of antigenic structure, but has 32 types, the 8th of which causes damage to the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye (keratoconjunctivitis). The entry gate for adenovirus can be the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and intestinal enterocytes. Adenoviruses can persist in the environment for a long time; to disinfect the room, regular ventilation and mandatory treatment with a bleach solution or ultraviolet irradiation are required.

Parainfluenza virus belongs to the same family of myxoviruses as the influenza virus. At the same time, the infection it causes has a different course from influenza and has its own characteristic features. Parainfluenza contributes about 20% to acute respiratory infections in adults and about 30% to childhood morbidity. He belongs to the family paramyxoviruses, whose genome contains an RNA molecule, differs from other viruses in the relative stability of the antigenic component. 4 types of this virus have been studied, which cause damage to the respiratory tract, mainly the larynx. A mild form of parainfluenza develops as a result of infection with a type 1 and 2 virus, which results in hoarseness and cough. A severe form develops when infected with a virus of types 3 and 4, accompanied by spasm of the larynx () and severe intoxication. The parainfluenza virus is unstable and is quickly destroyed (up to 4 hours) in a well-ventilated area.

In the structure of a viral respiratory infection rhinoviruses account for 20-25% of morbidity cases. They belong to the family picorno viruses, whose genome consists of an RNA molecule. The strains are able to actively reproduce in the ciliated epithelium of the nasal cavity. They are extremely unstable in the air and lose their ability to cause infection when left in a warm room for 20-30 minutes. The source of infection is virus carriers; rhinovirus spreads by airborne droplets. The gateway to infection is the ciliated epithelium of the nasal cavity.

Respiratory syncytial infection is caused by an RNA paramyxovirus. a distinctive feature of which is the ability to cause the development of giant multinucleated cells (syncytia) along the entire length of the respiratory tract - from the nasopharynx to the lower parts of the bronchial tree. The virus poses the greatest danger to infants in the first months of life, since it can cause severe damage to the bronchi of various sizes. A severe form of infection causes up to 0.5% mortality in the group of children under one year of age. By the age of three years, children develop stable immunity, so the incidence of respiratory syncytial infection rarely exceeds 15%. The virus is extremely unstable in the external environment.

Coronavirus infection accounts for 5-10% of cases of ARVI. Infection in adults is accompanied by damage to the upper respiratory tract; in children it penetrates deep into the bronchopulmonary tissue. Coronavirus belongs to the family pleomorphic viruses, containing an RNA molecule in the genome. Viruses are not resistant when in indoor air.

Features of the development of acute respiratory infections

Often, it is quite problematic to separate acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections without complex methods of clinical laboratory diagnosis, only by external signs, among which the most pronounced can be considered:

The cause of a runny nose is:

1. Reduced resistance of the body under the influence of allergens (dust, smoke, gas and aerosols);
2. Weakening of local resistance, as a result of hypothermia of the extremities or the whole body (cold).

Symptoms and differences between acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections

A characteristic symptom of acute respiratory diseases is intoxication of the body, which is accompanied by:

1. General weakness;
2. Body temperature up to 37.5-38ºС for acute respiratory infections and 38-39ºС for acute respiratory viral infections;
3. Development of catarrhal inflammation.

The question of the difference between a viral and bacterial respiratory infection often arises. The importance of this issue lies in the choice of treatment tactics and the prescription of either antiviral or antibacterial drugs.

When viral infection the most characteristic symptoms will be the following:

• Sudden onset of symptoms of the disease;
• A sharp increase in temperature to 39-40ºС;
• Lack of appetite;
• Characteristic wet shine of the eyes;
• Scanty discharge from the nasal cavity;
• Flushed face (especially cheeks);
• Moderate cyanosis (blue discoloration) of the lips;
• It is possible to develop herpes rashes in the lip area;
• Headaches and muscle pain;
• Painful reaction to light;
• Tearing.

The symptoms of viral infections are, in some cases, very similar, so Only laboratory diagnostic methods can accurately assess which virus caused the disease. for example, immunofluorescence assay (ELISA). However The development of some viral infections has characteristic features:

When bacterial infection the development of the disease is characterized by:

• Gradual deterioration of the patient's condition;
• Body temperature, as a rule, does not rise above 38.5-39ºС and can be maintained for several days;
• The presence of a characteristic;
• Characteristic tingling and tingling of the palate;
• Enlarged submandibular and postauricular lymph nodes.

It is important to take into account the patient’s age when analyzing the symptoms of the disease. Because the symptoms of the disease can manifest differently in infants, preschoolers, school-aged children, adults and the elderly.

In infants up to 6 months Mother's antibodies (IgG class immunoglobulins) remain in the blood, so the development of both viral and bacterial infections, as long as the care requirements for children of this age are met, as a rule, does not occur. In children, after 6 months, antibodies disappear, and their own are not yet produced in the required volume; the child’s immunity “gets acquainted” with foreign agents and adapts to the new environment on its own. Therefore, in case of illness, a bacterial infection, just like a viral infection, can develop rapidly.

The nature of the development and course of acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections in infants older than 6 months and up to 3 years deserves special attention. Children of this age may not have a pronounced clinical picture, but the mother should be alert to the following signs:

1. Pale skin;
2. Refusal of breastfeeding;
3. Reduced body weight gain.

A rapidly developing viral infection can be accompanied by a bacterial infection, which aggravates the course of the disease and leads to the development of complications in the form of:

It is possible to develop coccal infection in the form of meningitis and meningoencephalitis.

Among the listed complications, croup syndrome or laryngeal spasm should be highlighted.

This is a fairly common occurrence in infants and is characterized by some genetic and seasonal predisposition. Long-term observations show:

1. Croup syndrome is more likely to occur at night when the child is in a horizontal position;
2. Among children, it is more common in boys than in girls;
3. More pronounced in children with white skin, blond hair and blue eyes;
4. It is more likely to occur in a dry and poorly ventilated area.

Often, there are no characteristic signs indicating laryngospasm. During the day the child is active, mobile, there are no changes in appetite or mood, body temperature is normal. There may be some nasal congestion. The acute phase develops at night, the child develops a short barking cough, he wakes up from suffocation, and screams. Screaming stimulates increased spasm of the laryngeal muscles, so parents should not panic, but try as much as possible to calm the child and call an ambulance. In case of croup, you should never self-medicate. However, during the time the ambulance is traveling, you should open the window, ventilate and humidify the room, or take the child to the bathroom and turn on the water. The more humid the atmosphere in the room, the easier it will be for the child to breathe. Ambulance specialists will most likely inhale an adrenaline solution to relieve croup syndrome. After which they will recommend going to a hospital, where the mother and child will have to spend at least 24 hours.

The appearance of an acute runny nose in children is usually accompanied by the spread of the inflammatory process to the pharynx, with subsequent development. Considering that the space of the nasopharynx is connected through the Eustachian tube to the cavity of the middle ear, in young children there is a high probability of complications in the form of acute otitis media. The inability of a baby to breathe through the nose leads to the fact that he cannot suckle effectively. After a few sips, he has to switch to mouth breathing, which leads to rapid fatigue and malnutrition of breast milk.

In young children, infection with dust particles may penetrate into the deeper parts of the respiratory tract, which can cause the development of inflammation not only of the larynx, but also damage to the trachea or bronchi. In all of these organs, the mucous membrane is also covered with ciliated epithelial cells and is susceptible to infection.

Some features in the morphology of the respiratory tract also contribute to the development of infection in children:

• The glandular structures of the mucosa and submucosa are not sufficiently developed, as a result of which immunoglobulin production is reduced;
• The layer underlying the mucous membrane is formed by loose fiber, poor in elastic fibers - this reduces the tissue’s resistance to maceration;
• Narrow nasal passages, the lower passage is not formed (up to 4 years);
• The narrow diameter of the larynx (from 4 mm in a newborn to 10 mm in an adolescent), which contributes to the development of stenosis (narrowing) of the larynx in the event of even slight swelling.

In children aged 3-6 years, a bacterial infection, as a rule, does not develop so rapidly. Therefore, before the temperature rises, previous signs of the disease appear, causing the premorbid background:

1. Paleness of the skin and mucous membranes;
2. Some decrease in the child’s activity (lethargy);
3. Decreased appetite;
4. Possible mood swings.

Most children of this age attend preschool institutions and may be in constant contact with the source of a viral infection, the development of which can provoke a bacterial infection and regular return of the disease (relapse).

At an older age, children and adults strengthen their immunity, so the frequency of morbidity begins to decrease. At the same time, the premorbid background becomes less noticeable and the symptoms of a mild viral infection (or cold) practically do not appear. The development of a bacterial infection comes to the fore, accompanied by:

• Development;
• Inflammation of the tonsils (, or);
• Inflammation of the trachea;
• Bronchitis and bronchiolitis;

Clinical observations show that in adults, a viral infection that develops in the form of a runny nose, with proper care (plenty of warm drinks, adherence to the regimen, etc.), does not descend further through the respiratory tract.

In elderly people (over 60 years old), due to weakened immunity, a protracted course of ARVI is observed. There is a high probability of complications, among which problems of the heart and vascular system come to the fore. Intoxication of the body and the subsequent increase in temperature are not typical for people of this age. Body temperature slowly rises to 38ºС and is maintained for a long time, depleting the body's strength. The duration of the disease is one and a half times longer than in people of other age groups.

ARVI during pregnancy poses a danger to the developing embryo in the early stages. Viral infections are especially dangerous because they are able to pass through the placental barrier of the mother to the fetus, causing infection. In addition, it is possible that the infection affects the placenta itself, thereby causing a disruption in the transport of nutrients and gases (CO 2 and O 2). The most dangerous period is considered the first 2-3 weeks. when the mother may not yet know about the development of the fetus. The presence of infection during this period can lead to termination of pregnancy due to detachment of the ovum. If the mother becomes ill at 4-6 weeks of pregnancy, damage to the fetus can lead to disruption of organ formation, which can cause developmental defects. Therefore, it is important to remember that an infection such as the common flu poses a significant threat and requires, at the slightest sign, urgent contact with a specialist.

Video: what is the difference between acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections - Doctor Komarovsky

Treatment of acute respiratory infections

When treating a patient at home, the following rules must be observed:

1. Limit the communication of the patient with acute respiratory infections with household members, if possible, isolate him from contact with children and the elderly;
2. The patient should use separate dishes, cutlery and towels;
3. It is important to regularly ventilate the room in which the sick person is located, preventing him from hypothermia;
4. Maintain air humidity in the room at least 40%.

Depending on the reasons causing the development of a respiratory infection, treatment tactics should be aimed at both eliminating the cause of the disease, i.e. pathogenic agent and the resulting symptoms of the disease. In this case, they say that etiotropic and symptomatic treatment should be carried out.

Etiotropic treatment for ARVI includes the use of 2 groups of drugs:

• Antiviral drugs aimed at blocking the antigenic structure of the virus;
• Immunomodulatory drugs aimed at activating immune system cells that produce antibodies to the virus.

The group of antiviral drugs includes inhibitor drugs:

1. Remantadine;
2. Oseltamivir (commercial name Tamiflu);
3. Arbidol;
4. Ribaverine;
5. Deoxyribonuclease.

When using this group of drugs, there are restrictions on their use for the treatment of children and adults. These limitations are due, on the one hand, to insufficient knowledge of side effects, and on the other hand, to the effectiveness and feasibility of their use in relation to a particular strain of the virus.

Remantadine It is advisable to use in case of influenza infection caused by type A2. Its antiviral effect is aimed at the process of virus reproduction in host cells. Contraindicated for pregnant women and children under 7 years of age.

A well-known drug Tamiflu (oseltamivir), also has its own characteristics - it has been established that taking this drug, in case of influenza infection, should be started no later than 48 hours after the onset of symptoms of the disease. It should be taken into account that the incubation period of the influenza virus is one of the shortest and can range from 12 to 48 hours. The use of oseltamivir is indicated for children over 12 years of age.

Arbidol– a drug that blocks the penetration of the influenza virus into the cell. In addition, it stimulates the production of antibodies, therefore, it is included in the group of immunostimulating antiviral drugs. According to the instructions, it is used against influenza and coronavirus infections. The drug is indicated for children from 3 years of age.

Ribaverine– a drug that suppresses the synthesis of viral RNA or DNA molecules that have entered the cell, as well as specific viral proteins. Ribaverin exhibits the greatest activity against respiratory syncytial virus and adenoviruses, but has virtually no effect on the development of rhinovirus infection. Contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as for use under the age of 18! Due to the high risk of side effects, ribaverine is used only in an intensive care unit.

It is important to remember that the use of complex chemotherapeutic antiviral drugs for the treatment of ARVI in children and pregnant women is possible only as directed by the attending physician, in order to avoid severe complications from ARVI.

In cases where the source of the viral infection is not clearly established, it is more advisable to use immunomodulators:

• Interferon preparations or interferon inducers (cycloferon, anaferon, amixin, vitamin C, ibuprafen);
• Bronchomunal;
• Oibomunal;
• Kridanimod (viferon, gripferon);
• Aflubin;
• Immunomodulatory spray (IRS-19);
• Immunal (echinacea preparations).

The use of drugs of the immunomodulatory group has a more universal purpose, since the drugs themselves do not have a direct effect on viruses. They stimulate the production of cytotoxic components of T-lymphocytes and macrophages, which ensure phagocytosis, as well as the production of specific antibodies by B-lymphocytes, which convert viral particles into an inactive form.

Symptomatic treatment for ARVI includes:

1. Bed rest during periods of increased body temperature;
2. Lowering body temperature (antipyretics);
3. Dilution and removal of sputum (expectorants and mucolytics);
4. Restoring breathing through the nose (vasoconstrictors);
5. Increasing the general resistance of the body (vitamins).

Etiological treatment of acute respiratory infections caused by bacteria, mycoplasma or chlamydia involves the use of antibiotics. Moreover, indications for the use of antibiotics are only cases of severe disease and the presence of risk factors. The most common pathogens of bacterial acute respiratory infections are:

• pneumococci ( Streptococcus pneumoniae);
• hemolytic streptococcus; ( Streptococcus pyogenes);
• (N. influenzae).

The standard for the treatment of non-viral acute respiratory infections is the use of antibiotics of three groups:

Beta-lactam antibiotics:

1. Ampicillin;
2. Amoxicillin;
3. Clavulate (often in combination with amoxicillin).

A group of these drugs prevents the formation of the membrane of predominantly gram-positive bacteria, thereby exerting a bacteriostatic effect.

Macrolide antibiotics, which include the well-known antibiotic erythromycin, as well as lesser-known drugs:

• Josamycin;
• Spiromycin;
• Clatrimycin.

The listed drugs are also used to combat infections caused by mycoplasmas and chlamydia, as well as in the development of streptococcal or pneumococcal infections, in the case of replacing lactam antibiotics that cause allergies.

Macrolides belong to the group of antibiotics with minimal toxicity. However, in some cases they cause:

1. headache;
2. nausea;
3. vomiting or diarrhea with abdominal pain.

They have a limitation in use - they are not shown for the following groups:

• Pregnant women;
• Breastfeeding women;
• Infants up to 6 months.

In addition, macrolides can accumulate and are slowly cleared from cells, allowing microorganisms to produce an adapted population. Therefore, when prescribing drugs of this group, be sure to notify the doctor that the patient has previously taken macrolides in order to select an antibiotic to which the infectious agent is not resistant.

Antibiotics cephalosporins (I-III generation)– a group of drugs that have bactericidal, i.e. action that stops the growth of bacteria. These drugs are most effective against gram-negative bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumonia, Staphylococcus spp., which are causative agents of purulent tonsillitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. This group of drugs includes:

1. Cefazolin;
2. Cefuroxime;
3. Cefadroxil;
4. Cephalexin;
5. Cefotaxime;
6. Ceftazidime.

Cephalosporins are highly resistant to the enzymatic system of microorganisms that destroy antibiotics of the penicillin group.

Taking an antibiotic depends on the severity of the acute respiratory infection; if you choose the right antibiotic, the effect can occur within a week, however, taking the drug should in no case be stopped if the course prescribed by the doctor takes a longer period. One of the most important rules when treating with antibiotics should be followed: continue taking the antibiotic for another 2 days after the onset of effect.

A separate issue is the prescription of antibiotics to pregnant women with acute respiratory infections and women breastfeeding healthy children. In the first case, taking antibiotics is possible only for serious indications; in the second case, it should be remembered that all three groups of antibiotics can pass into breast milk. Therefore, the use of these drugs should only be carried out under the supervision of the attending physician if indicated.

For pregnant women, antibiotics can be divided into 3 groups:

• Prohibited antibiotics (eg, tetracycline, fluoroquinolines, clarithromycin, furazidine, streptomycin);
• Acceptable antibiotics in extreme cases (for example, metronidazole, furadonin, gentamicin);
• Safe antibiotics (penicillin, cephalosporin, erythromycin).

Each antibiotic exhibits its negative effect on fetal development depending on the period of pregnancy. The most dangerous period is the time of formation of organs and body systems (the first trimester), so in the early stages of pregnancy you should, if possible, avoid taking antibiotics.

Video: all about ARVI - Doctor Komarovsky

Prevention of acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections

To prevent acute respiratory infections of bacterial or viral etiology, experts advise adhering to the following recommendations:

1. Limit contacts during seasonal epidemics (going to crowded places - theatre, cinema, public transport during rush hours, large supermarkets, especially with small children, i.e. to any places where excessive crowds of people are possible);
2. Carry out regular cleaning of the premises using disinfectants (chloramine, chlorcin, dezavid, dezoxon, etc.);
3. Ventilate the room and maintain optimal air humidity in the range of 40-60%;
4. Include in your diet foods rich in ascorbic acid and vitamin P (bioflavonoids);
5. Regularly rinse the nasal cavity and throat with an infusion of chamomile or calendula flowers.

World statistics show that vaccination can reduce the incidence of ARVI by 3-4 times. However, you should approach the issue of vaccination carefully and understand in what cases it is necessary to be vaccinated against a particular virus.

Currently, prevention of ARVI is mainly aimed at influenza vaccination. It has been shown that the practice of influenza vaccination is justified for the so-called risk groups:

• Children with chronic lung diseases, including asthmatics and patients with chronic bronchitis;
• Children with heart disease and hemodynamic disorders (arterial hypertension, etc.);
• Children, after immunosuppressive therapy (chemotherapy);
• People suffering from diabetes;
• Elderly people who may come into contact with infected children.

In addition, it is recommended to vaccinate against seasonal flu in September-November in preschools, schools, and for staff of clinics and hospitals.

Live (rarely) and inactivated vaccines are used for vaccination. They are prepared from strains of the influenza virus, which are grown in chicken embryo fluid. The reaction to the vaccine is local and general immunity, which includes direct suppression of the virus by T lymphocytes and the production of specific antibodies by B lymphocytes. The virus is inactivated (neutralized) using formaldehyde.

Influenza vaccines are divided into three groups:

1. Inactivated whole virion vaccines are used, due to low tolerability, only in the high school group and for adults;
2. Subviral vaccines (splits) - these vaccines are highly purified and are recommended for all age groups, starting from 6 months;
3. Subunit polyvalent influenza vaccines - such vaccines are prepared from derivatives of the viral shell; this group of drugs is the most expensive because it requires high purification and concentration of the virus-containing material.

Among the drugs used in vaccination are:

When using a particular vaccine, local or general reactions may occur, accompanied by:

1. Malaise;
2. Slight redness at the vaccine injection site;
3. Increased body temperature;
4. Muscle pain and headache.

Children should be given special attention on the day of vaccination. Vaccination requires a preliminary examination of the child by the attending physician. It should be remembered that if there is a suspicion or signs of any infection are already appearing, vaccination should be postponed until the body has completely recovered.

Video: treatment of acute respiratory infections, Dr. Komarovsky

The diagnosis of acute respiratory infections is well known to every mother, because in children under 10 years old it can occur about 6-7 times a year. Acute respiratory infections, or acute respiratory diseases, are a whole complex of diseases that are caused by different types of viruses (parainfluenza, adenovirus, rhinovirus). Once upon a time, children were immediately prescribed antibiotics to treat them, but today the approach to the treatment of respiratory infections has changed significantly, and some ailments can be cured even without the use of medications.

In order to prescribe adequate therapy to a child when the first symptoms appear, you must first correctly identify the disease. There are significant differences between acute respiratory infections and colds: a common cold occurs due to hypothermia of the body, and the causes of acute respiratory infections are viruses and bacteria that are present in the surrounding atmosphere.

Symptoms of a cold are usually less pronounced, develop rather slowly and do not increase, while respiratory infections (especially parainfluenza) occur rapidly: 1-2 days, and sometimes several hours, may pass from the moment of infection to the moment the first signs appear.

As for acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections, in the first case the disease is caused by viruses, and in the second by bacteria, but even doctors often use these concepts as synonyms.

In any case, making a diagnosis on your own and prescribing treatment for your child is not recommended, since in some cases (for example, with sore throat or bacterial infections), the use of antibiotics and other potent drugs is completely justified, and sometimes they are simply useless.

Typically, the incubation period for acute respiratory infections lasts up to 5 days, after which the following symptoms appear:

• rhinitis (transparent discharge), nasal congestion, sneezing;
• cough, hoarseness and sore throat;
• increase in body temperature to 38-39 degrees;
• headaches, muscle pain, ear pain;
• irritability, drowsiness, or, conversely, excessive activity;
• lack of appetite;
• general malaise.

The most unpleasant and severe symptoms of acute respiratory infections occur in the first few days, when the virus is actively multiplying and the immune system has not yet given an adequate response.

In children aged 5 years and older, the disease lasts about a week, and children are sick for 10-14 days. If an acute respiratory infection is accompanied by a severe cough, it can last about 3 weeks after recovery.

The main task of parents when treating respiratory diseases in a child is not only to help him cope with the disease, but also not to harm the body. Unfortunately, many parents in this case choose the wrong tactics, as a result of which the disease is delayed or complicated. So, what steps are not recommended to be taken when treating acute respiratory infections in a child?

1. Do not lower the temperature below 38-38.5. For infants up to 2 months, the permissible temperature threshold is 38 degrees, for children over 2 months – 38.5. Fever means that the body is actively fighting the pathogens of the disease, so parents who are in a hurry to bring down the fever deprive the baby’s body of natural defenses and allow viruses to actively multiply. Exceptions are children who suffer from convulsive syndrome at high temperatures, as well as patients with intrauterine defects of the central nervous system and heart, impaired metabolism, blood circulation and other congenital diseases. In such cases, the temperature should be reduced immediately.
2. Do not use antipyretics without reason. Antipyretic drugs are allowed to be used up to 4 times a day, but this is recommended only when the temperature rises above acceptable limits. Prohibited drugs also include complex drugs for treating influenza such as Coldrex and Fervex. Essentially, they are a mixture of paracetamol with antihistamines and vitamin C, and can only blur the overall picture of the disease and mask complications.
3. Do not apply warming compresses when the temperature is high. Warming compresses and ointments can only be used in the absence of fever, otherwise they will only aggravate the disease, and even lead to the development of obstruction - a dangerous condition that can lead to respiratory arrest. It is not recommended to use popular compresses and rubdowns made from vinegar and alcohol - even in small doses, these substances can cause poisoning or intoxication.
4. Do not give your child antibiotics unless prescribed. Taking antibiotics is a responsible step, so the doctor must make the decision after conducting research and tests. Such drugs fight bacteria well, but they are powerless against viruses. In addition, together with harmful microorganisms, antibiotics destroy beneficial microflora and reduce immune defense.
5. Do not dress your child in clothes that are too warm. Many parents believe that additional hypothermia of the body during acute respiratory infections will only worsen the disease, however, overheating will not bring anything good. The best option is loose, light clothing in several layers and a thin blanket (if the child wears diapers, it is also better to remove them - urine creates a greenhouse effect, which also leads to overheating). This way the body will freely lose heat and regulate its temperature independently.
6. Do not force your baby to eat or lie down. Do not ignore the demands of the child’s body during illness. Most children during such periods refuse to eat, which is an absolutely normal phenomenon, since all their energy is aimed at fighting the disease. Bed rest is indicated only in severe cases, so forcing your baby to lie in bed all the time is also not worth it - he will lie down on his own if he feels unwell.

The first actions of adults should be aimed at creating an atmosphere around the baby that is conducive to the body’s fight against viruses.

1. Healthy atmosphere. The least favorable environment for bacteria and viruses is moist, cool air (temperature - 20-21 degrees, humidity - 50-70%). In addition, in such an atmosphere, mucus does not accumulate in the child’s respiratory tract, which greatly facilitates her well-being. Accordingly, in the room where the baby is located, you need to create the appropriate temperature and humidity - regularly ventilate the room and hang wet rags on the radiators.
2. Drink plenty of fluids. With colds and viral diseases, the body actively loses fluid, so the patient needs to drink frequently and plentifully. The drink should be non-carbonated and approximately correspond to body temperature - that is, it should not be too hot, but not cold either. If a child shows signs of dehydration (dry tongue, infrequent urination), you need to give him a saline solution: “ Regidron», « Humana Electrolyte" etc.
3. Nasal rinsing. If you have an acute respiratory infection, you need to rinse your nose as often as possible, using preparations with sea water (“ Humer», « Aquamaris», « Marimer"), ordinary saline solution or a solution of sea salt prepared with your own hands (a teaspoon per two glasses of water). They dry out the mucous membrane of the nasal passages well, wash away pathogenic microorganisms from it and thin out the mucus.

If these simple rules are followed, treatment of acute respiratory infections will require no more than 5-6 days. If symptoms do not go away or worsen, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Medications for acute respiratory infections in children

Antiviral agents

Drugs that activate the production of interferon and help destroy viruses will bring much more benefit and less harm, but there are several nuances here. The body gets used to antiviral drugs much faster than other medications, so you should not use them unless absolutely necessary or as a preventative measure (with the exception of a number of drugs that are approved for preventive use). Antiviral drugs used to treat acute respiratory infections are divided into two groups: extended-release agents and those aimed at combating respiratory infections. You should choose a specific drug based on the age of the baby and the characteristics of the disease.

Anti-flu drugs

Name	Image	Form	Child's age	Features of application
"Tamiflu"		Capsules, powder for suspension	From 1 year (allowed for use from 6 months during pandemics)	Fights influenza A and B viruses. Can be used as a prophylactic after contact with infected people. Dosage depends on the patient's age
"Orvirem"		Syrup	From 1 year	Treatment and prevention of influenza A. Take after meals according to the appropriate regimen, gradually reducing the dose
"Rimantadine"		Pills	From 7 years	Treatment of influenza A. Take orally, starting the first two days after the onset of symptoms. Average dose – 50 mg twice a day

Complex drugs

Name	Image	Form	Child's age	Features of application
"Grip-Heel"		Pills	From birth	Homeopathic remedy against influenza and acute respiratory infections. Has no side effects, can be used as a prophylactic agent
"Viferon"		Rectal suppositories	From birth	It is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases, including those complicated by bacterial infection. Dosage depends on the patient's age
"Grippferon"		Nasal drops	From birth	The drug comes into direct contact with the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, where viruses multiply most actively. It is not addictive and does not require additional symptomatic treatment. Average dose – 1-2 drops 3-5 times a day
"Anaferon" for children		Pills	From 1 month	Used for the treatment of acute respiratory infections and complex therapy of bacterial infections. Treatment should begin immediately after symptoms appear. Can be used to prevent respiratory diseases
"Arbidol"		Pills	From 3 years	Treatment and prevention of acute respiratory infections, influenza A and B. Reduces the risk of complications. In therapeutic doses there are practically no side effects
"Kagocel"		Pills	From 3 years	Prevention and treatment of respiratory viral infections. Take according to the schedule depending on the patient’s age

Before using any of the above drugs, you should make sure that there are no allergic reactions and also consult your doctor.

Cold drops

Any medications against the runny nose, with the exception of salt water drops, are recommended to be used only in cases where the disease causes serious discomfort to the child. In the initial stages of the disease, when liquid, clear mucus is released from the nasal passages, vasoconstrictors can be used to reduce swelling and make breathing easier. Drugs in this group include:

• "Nazivin";
• "Otrivin";
• "Sanorin";
• "Vibrocil";
• "Tizin."

It is important to remember that vasoconstrictor drops for children (especially those under 3 years of age) should have a reduced concentration. In addition, you must strictly adhere to the dosage and do not use the drugs for more than 5 days, otherwise they may become addictive.

In the later stages of rhinitis, when the mucus becomes thick and its removal from the nasal passages becomes difficult, antibacterial drugs can be used: “ Collargol», « Protargol», « Pinosol" These funds also have their own characteristics and disadvantages. “Protargol” contains silver ions, which effectively kill most bacteria without the use of antibiotics, but silver is not excreted from the body on its own and tends to accumulate in tissues. "Pinosol" is a natural preparation based on essential oils, which has a mild, long-lasting effect, but thick oils impede the natural outflow of mucus.

Cough preparations

An acute respiratory infection usually begins with a dry cough, after which sputum begins to flow and the cough becomes wet. It is not recommended to actively fight cough during respiratory infections - it is a natural protective reaction of the body and helps remove bacteria and viruses from the body. Expectorants and mucolytics are recommended to be taken only in cases where acute respiratory infections are complicated by bronchitis or pneumonia and only for medical reasons (at the age of under 2 years, most drugs that thin sputum are prohibited). If your child has a sore throat, use cough drops (“ Bronchicum», « Linkas") or sprays (" Inhalipt», « Faringosept», « Tantum Verde»).

Folk remedies

The use of folk remedies against acute respiratory infections in children should also be balanced and thoughtful, since they can also cause side effects and allergic reactions (this is especially true for infants under one year old).

The best way to combat acute respiratory infections in children is not treatment, but prevention. To reduce the risk of respiratory infections, a child needs proper nutrition, hardening (within reasonable limits), taking vitamins and regular walks in the fresh air. During periods of pandemics, it is better to avoid places with large crowds of people, lubricate the baby’s nostrils with oxolinic ointment before going outside, and after returning home, rinse the nasal passages with preparations based on sea water or saline solution.

Video - Treatment of acute respiratory infections in children