Treatment of a viral infection in a 1 year old child. Acute respiratory infections in children: symptoms and treatment

Summary: Adviсe pediatrician. Colds in children treatment. How to treat colds in children. Colds in children under one year of age. The child fell ill with ARVI. The child fell ill with the flu. Viral infection in children treatment. Viral infection in children symptoms. Viral infection: how to treat it. Bacterial infection in children. Bacterial infection symptoms. Bacterial throat infection.

Attention! This article is for informational purposes only. Be sure to consult your doctor.

If a child has an acute respiratory infection (ARI), then the question of whether the disease is caused by viruses or bacteria is a fundamental one. The fact is that pediatricians of the so-called “old school”, that is, those who graduated from the institute in the 1970-1980s, prefer to prescribe antibiotics for any rise in temperature. The motive for such appointments - “if nothing happens” - does not stand up to criticism. On the one side, viruses that cause most acute respiratory infections are completely indifferent to antibiotics , with another - For some viral infections, prescribing antibiotics may lead to

severe complications , next to which traditional complications from antibiotic therapy - intestinal dysbiosis and drug allergies - will seem like a problem for the first grade of high school. There is only one way out of this situation, very effective, although quite labor-intensive - to evaluate and child's condition, and the prescription of the attending physician. Yes, of course, even local pediatrician, whom it is customary to only scold, and he is armed with a university diploma, not to mention the head of the pediatrics department in the same district clinic, and even more so a candidate of sciences, to whom you take your child every six months to prescribe or cancel preventive vaccinations. However, none of these doctors, unlike you, have

physical ability Monitor your child daily and hourly. Meanwhile, such observation data on

medical language

In order to distinguish an acute respiratory infection caused by viruses from the same acute respiratory infection, but caused by bacteria, you and I will only need minimal knowledge of how these diseases proceed. It will also be very useful to know how often per year the child has been sick recently, who is sick and what in the children’s group, and, perhaps, how your child behaved in the last five to seven days before getting sick. This is all.

Respiratory viral infections (ARVI)

There are not so many respiratory viral infections in nature - these are the well-known influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus infection, respiratory syncytial infection and rhinovirus. Of course, thick medical manuals recommend doing very expensive and time-consuming tests to distinguish one infection from another, but each of them has its own “calling card”, by which it can be recognized at the patient’s bedside. However, you and I don’t need such deep knowledge - it is much more important to learn to distinguish the listed diseases from bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract.

All this is necessary so that your local doctor does not prescribe antibiotics for the wrong reasons or, God forbid, does not forget to prescribe them - if antibiotics are really needed.

Incubation period All respiratory viral infections (hereinafter referred to as ARVI) have a very short incubation period - from 1 to 5 days. It is believed that this is the time during which the virus, having penetrated the body, is able to multiply to the amount that will definitely manifest itself as a cough, runny nose and fever. Therefore, if the child does get sick, you need to remember when he last visited, for example, children's group and how many children there looked sick. If less than five days have passed from this moment to the onset of the disease, this is an argument in favor of viral nature

diseases. However, just one argument will not be enough for you and me.

Prodrome

You can suspect something is wrong already during this period: the child’s behavior changes dramatically. He (she) becomes capricious, capricious more than usual, lethargic or, conversely, unusually active, and a characteristic sparkle appears in the eyes. Children may complain of thirst: this is the beginning of viral rhinitis, and the discharge, while there is little of it, flows not through the nostrils, but into the nasopharynx, irritating the mucous membrane of the throat. If the child less than a year, first of all, sleep changes: the child either sleeps for an unusually long time, or does not sleep at all.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO : It is during the prodromal period that all the antiviral drugs we are used to are most effective - from homeopathic oscillococcinum and EDAS to rimantadine (effective only during a flu epidemic) and Viferon. Since all of the drugs listed either do not have side effects at all, or these effects appear to a minimal extent (as with rimantadine), they can be given already during this period. If the child is older than two years, ARVI may end before it even begins, and you may get away with a slight fright.

What NOT to do : You should not start treatment with antipyretic drugs (for example, with Efferalgan) or with advertised anti-cold drugs such as Coldrex or Fervex, which are essentially just a mixture of the same Efferalgan (paracetamol) with antiallergic drugs, flavored with a small amount of vitamin C. Such a cocktail is not only will blur the picture of the disease (we will still rely on the doctor’s competence), but will also prevent the child’s body from responding qualitatively to the viral infection.

Onset of the disease

As a rule, ARVI begins acutely and vividly: body temperature jumps to 38-39 ° C, chills, headache, and sometimes sore throat, cough and runny nose appear. However, these symptoms may not exist - the beginning of a rare viral infection marked by local symptoms. If, however, it does come to such a rise in temperature, you should expect that the illness will drag on for 5-7 days and still call a doctor. It is from this moment that you can begin traditional (paracetamol, drinking plenty of fluids, suprastin) treatment. But what to expect from antiviral drugs quick results now it’s not worth it: from now on they can only contain the virus.

It is very important to remember that after 3-5 days, a child who has almost recovered can suddenly, as doctors say, deteriorate again. Viruses are also dangerous because they can bring with them a bacterial infection “on their tail” - with all the ensuing consequences.

Important! A virus that infects the upper respiratory tract always causes an allergic reaction, even if the child is not allergic. Moreover, at a high temperature, a child may have allergic reactions (in the form of, for example, urticaria) to usual food or drink. That is why during acute respiratory viral infections it is very important to have antiallergic drugs (suprastin, tavegil, claritin or zyrtec) on hand. By the way, rhinitis, which is manifested by nasal congestion and watery discharge, and conjunctivitis (shiny or reddened eyes in a sick child) -

characteristic symptoms

namely a viral infection. With bacterial infection of the respiratory tract, both are extremely rare. Bacterial respiratory tract infections The choice of bacteria that cause infectious lesions of the upper (and lower - that is, bronchi and lungs) respiratory tract is somewhat richer than the choice of viruses. There are Corynbacteria, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella. And there are also the causative agents of whooping cough, meningococcus, pneumococcus, chlamydia (not those that venereologists enthusiastically study, but transmitted by airborne droplets), mycoplasmas and streptococci. Let me make a reservation right away: clinical manifestations the vital activity of all these unpleasant microorganisms requires doctors to immediately prescribe antibiotics - without starting on time antibacterial therapy consequences

bacterial infection respiratory tract problems can be completely catastrophic. So much so that it’s better not to even mention it. The main thing is to understand in time that antibiotics are really needed. By the way, the company of dangerous or simply unpleasant bacteria that like to settle in the respiratory tract does not include Staphylococcus aureus.

All this is necessary so that your local doctor does not prescribe antibiotics for the wrong reasons or, God forbid, does not forget to prescribe them - if antibiotics are really needed.

Yes, yes, the same one that is so enthusiastically removed from the upper respiratory tract, and then poisoned with antibiotics by some particularly advanced doctors. Staphylococcus aureus is a normal inhabitant of our skin- from 2 to 14 days. True, in the case of a bacterial infection, it will be necessary to take into account not only and not so much the expected time of contact with patients (remember how it was in the case of ARVI?), but also the child’s overwork, stress, hypothermia, and finally, moments when the baby uncontrollably ate snow or got your feet wet. The fact is that some microorganisms (meningococci, pneumococci, moraxella, chlamydia, streptococci) can live in the respiratory tract for years without showing anything. TO active life

they can be caused by the same stress and hypothermia, and even a viral infection. By the way, it is useless to take swabs for flora from the respiratory tract in order to take measures in advance. On standard media, which are most often used in laboratories, meningococci, streptococci and the already mentioned Staphylococcus aureus can grow. It is this that grows the fastest, choking, like a weed, the growth of microbes that are really worth looking for. By the way, in " achievement list

diseases. However, just one argument will not be enough for you and me.

“Chlamydia that cannot be sown includes a quarter of all chronic tonsillitis, interstitial (very poorly diagnosed) pneumonia, and in addition reactive arthritis (because of them, in combination with chlamydial tonsillitis, a child can easily lose tonsils).

Most often, bacterial infections have no visible prodromal period - the infection begins as a complication of acute respiratory viral infections (otitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae or pneumococci; sinusitis, originating from the same pneumococci or moraxella). And if ARVI begins as a general deterioration of the condition without any local manifestations (they appear later and not always), then bacterial infections always have a clear “point of application”. Unfortunately, this is not only acute otitis media or sinusitis (sinusitis or ethmoiditis), which are relatively easy to cure. Streptococcal sore throat is far from harmless, although it is without any treatment (except for soda rinses and hot milk, which no caring mother will fail to take advantage of) disappears on its own in 5 days. The fact is that streptococcal sore throat is caused by the same beta-hemolytic streptococcus, which includes the already mentioned chronic tonsillitis , but unfortunately, they can lead to rheumatism and acquired heart defects. (By the way, tonsillitis is also caused by chlamydia and viruses, for example adenovirus or. True, neither one nor the other, unlike streptococcus, never leads to rheumatism. But we’ll talk about this a little later.) The said streptococcus does not disappear anywhere after recovery from a sore throat - it settles on the tonsils and behaves quite well for quite a long time.

Streptococcal tonsillitis has the shortest incubation period among bacterial infections - 3-5 days. If there is no cough or runny nose with a sore throat, if the child still has a clear voice and no redness of the eyes, this is almost certainly streptococcal sore throat. In this case, if the doctor recommends antibiotics, it is better to agree - leaving beta-hemolytic streptococcus in the child’s body may be more expensive. Moreover, when it first enters the body, streptococcus is not yet hardened in the fight for its own survival and any contact with antibiotics is fatal for it. American doctors who cannot take a step without various analyzes

, found that already on the second day of taking antibiotics for streptococcal sore throat, the evil streptococcus completely disappears from the body - at least until the next meeting. Except streptococcal sore throat

, complications from which will either occur or not, there are other infections, the results of which appear much faster and can lead to much more harmful consequences.

Closing the hit parade of bacterial respiratory tract infections are chlamydia and mycoplasma - tiny microorganisms that, like viruses, can live only inside the cells of their victims. These microbes are not capable of causing either otitis or sinusitis. The hallmark of these infections is the so-called interstitial pneumonia in older children. Unfortunately, interstitial pneumonia differs from ordinary pneumonia only in that it cannot be detected either by listening or by tapping the lungs - only by x-ray. Because of this, doctors make the diagnosis of such pneumonia quite late - and, by the way, interstitial pneumonia is no better than any other. Fortunately, mycoplasmas and chlamydia are very sensitive to erythromycin and similar antibiotics, so pneumonia caused by them (if diagnosed) is very treatable.

Important! If your local pediatrician is not very competent, it is important to suspect interstitial chlamydial or mycoplasma pneumonia before he does - at least to hint to the doctor that you do not mind undergoing an X-ray examination of the lungs.

The main sign of chlamydial and mycoplasma infections is the age of the children who suffer from them. Interstitial chlamydial and mycoplasma pneumonia most often affects schoolchildren; the disease in a young child is very rare.

Other signs of interstitial pneumonia are a prolonged cough (sometimes with sputum) and severe complaints of intoxication and shortness of breath when, as they say, medical textbooks, “very scant physical examination data.” Translated into normal Russian, this means that despite all your complaints, the doctor does not see or hear any problems.

Information about the onset of the disease can help a little - with chlamydial infection, everything begins with a rise in temperature, which is accompanied by nausea and headache. With mycoplasma infection there may be no temperature at all, but the same prolonged cough accompanied by sputum. I have not found any clear symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia in any Russian pediatric manual;

ARVI is the most common viral disease. Almost all people experience it several times a year in a mild or subclinical form. ARVI is especially common in children aged 1 to 6 years.

Newborns rarely become infected with the virus, as they have passive immunity received from their mother.

ARVI usually begins with a runny nose

Why do children get ARVI very often?

According to statistics, a child can normally get ARVI from one to eight times a year. This is explained by the fact that the immunity that the child’s body develops against one infectious agent turns out to be powerless against another. And there are a lot of viruses that cause the disease.

Children who attend kindergarten are especially often infected. Some of them suffer from ARVI symptoms up to 15 times a year. They are classified as the FBR group (“frequently ill child”).

The high incidence of ARVI is a serious pediatric problem. After all, a repeatedly recurring disease greatly affects the physical and mental development baby. His immunity decreases, and chronic diseases can even form in the body. infectious foci. Some children develop bronchitis, asthma due to ARVI, various pathologies throat and nose.

Causes of ARVI in a child

Among the main causes of ARVI, doctors identify:

general hypothermia of the body;
close contact with infected people (usually friends who have caught a cold in kindergarten);
off-season period when observed sudden changes weather, immunity is weakened;
anemia, deficiency of vitamins and minerals;
lack of physical activity;
illiterate implementation of hardening activities.

To avoid hypothermia of the child’s body, he needs to be dressed according to the weather.

These factors negatively affect the immune defense and contribute to the creation of conditions optimal for the spread and reproduction of viral agents.

Symptoms of ARVI in a child

Regardless of the infectious agent that provoked the occurrence of ARVI, the main symptoms of the disease are:

inflammation of the respiratory system (runny nose, sore throat, sore throat, cough);
damage to the mucous membranes, causing lacrimation and conjunctivitis;
increase in body temperature.

Also, with ARVI, the so-called general infectious syndrome is often observed. By this term, pediatricians mean a condition when the patient suffers from pain in the muscles and joints, his lymph nodes become inflamed and swollen.

ARVI always starts unexpectedly - the baby develops a general infectious syndrome. If the causative agent is an adenovirus, the respiratory organs are the first to be affected. But in some children, ARVI occurs in an erased form. Then the parents cannot understand that the baby is sick. He becomes more moody, but he has no symptoms of infection.

High temperature during ARVI can persist for 3-4 days

When to call a pediatrician

To avoid the development of complications, it is important to seek medical care with the following symptoms:

the temperature stays at 38 o C or higher, it does not go down well;
the child is very lethargic, does not understand what is being said to him, loses consciousness;
When coughing, green or reddish sputum is coughed up;
swelling of certain areas of the body or limbs is observed;
the baby suffers from convulsions;
there is pain in chest;
breathing is difficult;
Spider veins are observed on the skin.

Self-medication if at least one of these signs is present is unacceptable.

Treatment of ARVI in children

Treatment of ARVI in children under one year of age and at an older age can be carried out at home if a doctor has diagnosed mild or medium shape diseases. The pediatrician prescribes a referral to the hospital for a child if:

he is under 1 year old;
a severe form of viral infection is observed, fraught with complications.

First of all, in case of ARVI, intoxication is always removed. The patient is given a large number of warm drink. If treatment takes place in inpatient conditions, IVs are placed.

In a hospital setting, in case of severe ARVI, a child may be given IV drips

If a child has a fever, he is prescribed an antipyretic - syrup, tablets, rectal suppositories. The form of the drug is always selected taking into account age. If necessary, the medicine can be administered intramuscularly.

For coughs, bronchodilators are used. If wheezing is heard, the temperature remains above 38.5 o C, the question of selecting antibiotics may arise. In parallel with them, it is advisable to take antihistamines to minimize the risk of developing an allergic reaction.

If the larynx swells, antispasmodics are given and Hydrocortisone injections are given (in the most severe cases).

Medicines to eliminate the symptoms of ARVI in children

Since ARVI is a viral infection, a sick child is advised to take an antiviral drug. Taking into account the severity of symptoms, condition immune system and age little patient the doctor may prescribe:

homeopathic composition;
interferons, stimulators of interferon production;
antiviral agent that destroys infectious agents;
drugs to strengthen the immune system

Aflubin - help with ARVI

Among the most popular homeopathic antivirals are:

Oscillococcinum;
Aflubin;
Vibrukol.

Interferon medications include:

Viferon;
Grippferon;
Kipferon;
Amiksin;
Cycloferon;
Neovir.

Ribavirin;
Arbidol (Arpetol);
Tamiflu;
Rimantadine.

Strengthen and support children's immune system:

Immunal;
Imudon;
Riboxin;
IRS-19.

Temperature with flu

Children do not tolerate high temperatures well. Some even experience seizures. To avoid them, it is necessary to give an antipyretic when the thermometer shows 38-38.5 o C.

If the temperature is below 38 o C, it should not be brought down - the body needs it to destroy viral agents.

It is important for parents not to panic and take measurements once an hour. With ARVI, the period of fever, as a rule, lasts no more than 4 days.

Cough in a child suffering from ARVI

A cough with ARVI is usually accompanied by a runny nose, fever, and pain when swallowing. It may start out dry and then become wet, or vice versa. If the cough is unproductive - the sputum does not come out - the child's sleep is disturbed and his appetite worsens.

With ARVI, sputum begins to be released after 3-4 days. If for a long time If a dry cough persists, the doctor needs to listen to the little patient’s lungs, since there is a high probability of obstructive bronchitis.

At severe cough you need to visit the pediatrician additionally

Abdominal pain and vomiting due to respiratory viral infection

With ARVI, some children have a stomach ache. Because of this, parents begin to think that the child has intestinal disorder. Arises this symptom due to general intoxication of the body. But inflammation of the appendix can never be ruled out. Therefore, if the pain is severe and the baby is crying, you need to immediately call an ambulance team.

As for vomiting, with ARVI it occurs due to:

severe dry cough ( sticky sputum irritates throat, triggers vomiting reflex);
intoxication;
intolerance medicines, which were assigned to the child.

Skin rash on the body

A rash on the skin of a child infected with ARVI is the result of:

development of allergies to medications or food taken;
fever (if heat long lasting, permeable blood vessels increases, then small pinpoint hemorrhages resembling a rash form on the skin);
complications of ARVI with meningococcal infection.

Conjunctivitis in childhood ARVI

Damage to the mucous membranes of the eyes during ARVI

Conjunctivitis may occur against the background of ARVI. First, one eye turns red and begins to fester if not taken necessary measures, the infection spreads to the second. The child complains of a feeling of sand, pain, and lacrimation. He squints and cannot calmly look at the light.

For conjunctivitis, it is necessary to instill antibacterial drops such as Tobrex, Gentamicin sulfate. In this case, two eyes need to be treated at once, even if the disease has only affected one of them.

Diet for ARVI in a child

During ARVI, children should follow a gentle diet. Parents should not force feed them. It is normal if appetite disappears during illness - the body concentrates all its forces on destroying infectious agents.

It is necessary to offer the baby plenty of fluids, pureed soups, and cereals. Berry and fruit juices are very useful, dairy products. The basis of the diet should be protein-rich dishes. If the patient is already 3 years old, he can be given fish - pike perch, cod.

You don’t need to buy tasty junk for your baby just to feed him something. His body will not receive any benefit from eating baked goods, chips, carbonated drinks, and cheap yoghurts.

How long can ARVI last in a child 1-6 years old?

ARVI most often goes away in 5-7 days. In more severe cases, when the immune system is severely weakened, symptoms of the disease may persist for 10 days.

It is believed that the patient becomes contagious from the appearance of the first signs of the disease. The more time has passed since this moment, the less likely it is that others will get sick because of it. It also happens that a child looks healthy outwardly, but is already contagious, for example, if a viral infection occurs in an erased form.

Hardening - best prevention ARVI

Prevention of ARVI in young children

To avoid getting ARVI, you need to boost your immunity. For this, pediatricians recommend:

take walks in the fresh air more often, play outdoor games with your child;
pay maximum attention proper nutrition;
sleep at least 10 hours a day;
keep a daily routine

If a child is included in the CBD group, on the eve of the cold season he needs to be given an immunomodulator selected by an immunologist, and a vitamin and mineral complex.

Consequences of ARVI in children

Every fifth child who has had ARVI develops complications. It can be:

pneumonia, bronchitis;
profuse rash all over the body;
reactive arthritis(manifested by joint pain);
sinusitis;
otitis media, hearing loss.

Therefore, there is no need to treat a viral infection as a disease that does not require attention. Her treatment should always be competent and timely.

Acute respiratory viral infections with the abbreviation ARVI, known to everyone, is a diagnosis that can be seen much more often than any other on the pages of a child’s medical record. Due to the ease of transmission of the pathogens of these infections by airborne droplets and household contact, children of preschool and junior age are most susceptible to them school age attending kindergartens, schools or clubs. The younger the child, the more often he gets sick, which is due to the insufficient degree of development of his acquired immunity.

Content:

Pathogens of ARVI

The causative agents of ARVI are DNA or RNA-containing viruses, which, when entering the body, cause inflammatory processes on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract or in lymph nodes and surrounding tissues. In total, there are more than 200 serotypes of such viruses, belonging to the following groups:

influenza viruses;
parainfluenza virus;
adenoviruses;
reoviruses;
rhinoviruses;
coronaviruses;
respiratory scintial (RS) viruses and others.

They are highly contagious and are easily transmitted from a sick child or adult to a healthy one by airborne droplets and, less commonly, by household contact (through toys, dishes, towels, door handles). The peak incidence of ARVI occurs from mid-autumn to mid-spring. Factors that increase the likelihood of infection include hypothermia, a general decrease in immunity, pathologies of perinatal development, allergies, chronic diseases, bad environment and others.

The pathogenesis of ARVI develops after the penetration of pathogens into the epithelial cells of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat and the beginning of their active reproduction, which leads to the appearance of characteristic pathological changes and an increase in clinical symptoms. Each pathogen affects to a greater extent only certain areas of the respiratory tract to which it has a tropism. Thus, the parainfluenza virus causes inflammatory process in the larynx, adenovirus - in the nasopharynx, lymphoid formations and conjunctiva of the eyes, respiratory scintial virus - in the bronchi, rhinovirus - in the nasal cavity.

Symptoms and diagnosis of ARVI

ARVI are characterized acute development with a pronounced clinical picture. On initial stage illness, the child experiences general intoxication, which manifests itself in the form of lethargy, drowsiness, headache, aches and muscle weakness, nausea, loss of appetite. Possible increase in body temperature to subfebrile levels and higher, fever, chills.

The main target of viruses that cause ARVI are the mucous membranes of the upper and lower respiratory tract (nose, nasopharynx, throat, trachea, bronchi). However, depending on the nature of the specific pathogen, other organs may be affected: heart, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, liver, brain.

The disease occurs in the form of rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, nasopharyngitis, tracheitis, conjunctivitis. The classic symptoms of ARVI in children, resulting from inflammation and swelling of the mucous membranes, include:

sneezing;
runny nose, which on the first day most often presents as profuse transparent discharge liquid consistency;
tearing eyes;
irritation, sore throat and sore throat;

Most severe course Of all acute respiratory viral infections, influenza is characterized. It affects the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, mainly the trachea, nervous system and vessels. The disease begins with high fever (39–40°C), chills, severe headache, weakness, nausea, redness of the child’s face, possible minor hemorrhages into the sclera.

In acute respiratory viral infections, the pathogen that caused the disease is usually not identified, since this does not fundamentally change the treatment tactics. Diagnostics includes a conversation with parents, collection of anamnesis, assessment of the clinical picture, general analyzes blood and urine, examination of the patient’s throat and nose, auscultation of the lungs using a stethoscope. Sometimes a smear test taken from the inflamed mucous membrane of the throat or nose is prescribed. Great value for correct setting The diagnosis takes into account the general epidemiological situation in the region where the child lives at the time of the disease.

Features of ARVI in babies under one year old

Children under one year of age are least susceptible to ARVI. breastfeeding. This is due to the fact that their body during this period is still under reliable protection maternal immunity. In addition, they practically never appear in crowded places in enclosed spaces. But if they have older brothers or sisters who attend kindergartens or schools, then the risk of infection increases significantly.

Parents can suspect ARVI in an infant based on the following signs:

sleep disturbance;
decreased appetite and refusal to suckle at the breast or bottle;
excessive moodiness and anxiety;
tearfulness;
redness of the eyes;
difficulty breathing, shortness of breath;
bowel movements, abdominal pain.

When similar symptoms For a child under one year of age, parents should urgently call a doctor at home.

Treatment

Treatment of ARVI is usually carried out at home under the supervision of a pediatrician. The exceptions are severe and complicated forms of the disease, newborns and premature babies, children with chronic associated pathologies respiratory organs, kidneys, nervous and cardiovascular systems.

When treating ARVI, it is carried out symptomatic therapy, that is, all measures and medications taken are aimed only at alleviating the discomforting symptoms of the disease. With mild and medium degree Medications intended to destroy the pathogen itself are not used, since the immune system can handle it itself. Significant improvement the child’s condition with ARVI occurs within 3–4 days, and full recovery within 7–10 days.

Antiviral drugs

Existing on the market today antivirals can be divided into two groups:

Highly specific drugs act only on a specific virus, which must first be accurately identified (arbidol, rimantadine, ribavirin, Tamiflu).
Drugs whose action is aimed at overall activation of the immune system. For example, innovative antiviral drug Ingavirin, which has a unique mechanism of action and wide range antiviral activity against influenza and ARVI pathogens. Timely use of the drug in the first two days of the disease can alleviate unpleasant symptoms and reduce the viral load on the body. This reduces intoxication and reduces the risk of complications. This also includes aflubin, proteflazid, viburkol, anaferon and interferon preparations - viferon, kipferon, laferobion.

As a rule, they are not prescribed for the treatment of children or are prescribed only if the disease is severe.

Antipyretics

It is necessary to reduce the temperature with the help of antipyretics only if it exceeds 38.5°C. For this, depending on the age of the patient, tablets, syrups, suppositories based on ibuprofen or paracetamol are used. If the child’s temperature cannot be brought down with the help of antipyretics, parents need to call an ambulance. Long-lasting high temperature, especially in children, is fraught with rapid development dehydration, which represents serious danger for good health.

Symptom relief

The following can be used to relieve the symptoms of ARVI:

saline solutions for rinsing the nose (Aquamaris, Humer, No-Salt, Salin, Quix);
vasoconstrictor drops to relieve nasal congestion and restore nasal breathing (nazivin, nazol, naphthyzin, farmazolin, otrivin);
to eliminate a sore throat - lysobact tablets, septefril, strepsils lozenges, Doctor Mom, tantum verde spray, hexoral, ingalipt), rinsing with furatsilin, infusion of chamomile, eucalyptus or sage;
antihistamines (diazolin, suprastin, erius, loratadine, fenistil) to reduce swelling of the mucous membranes and nasal congestion;
expectorants and mucolytics for coughs (broncholitin, mucaltin, ambroxol, ACC, syrups based on extracts medicinal plants Doctor Mom, eucabal, gedelix, herbion).

General rules

Of paramount importance during ARVI in a child are the correct drinking regime, humidity level and temperature in the room where the patient is located, which can be ensured as follows:

frequently ventilate the room where the sick person is located;
maintain the temperature in the apartment or house at a level of no more than 20°C;
ensure that the humidity in the room is in the range from 55 to 70%; if it is lower, then use special humidifiers to increase it or simply place wet towels or sheets on the radiators;
carry out wet cleaning daily;
Do not use heating devices in the room that strongly dry out the air;
Ensure your child drinks plenty of fluids, often offer him warm teas, compotes, fruit drinks, rehydration solutions, or simply boiled or filtered water.

These measures will help prevent thickening and accumulation of mucus in the respiratory tract and will ensure effective cleaning. In many cases, this is enough to defeat the disease without exposing the body to not very useful medications, which pediatrician E.O. Komarovsky draws the attention of parents to.

If in the first days of the disease the child’s health is very poor, then he is recommended to limit physical activity and observe bed rest.

If a child has no appetite, you should not try to force feed him; food should be provided on demand. At the same time, foods rich in carbohydrates are more useful, since hard-to-digest fats and proteins will create additional stress on the body, which is actively engaged in fighting the pathogen, and can slow down the healing process. If the child has a good appetite, a regimen is recommended to reduce the load on the gastrointestinal tract. fractional meals: you need to eat in small portions, but often.

Video: Recommendations of pediatrician E. O. Komarovsky for the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children

Complications

The most common complication of ARVI in children is the addition of a bacterial infection in the respiratory system. Activation of pathogenic bacterial microflora becomes possible due to a decrease in protective functions mucous membranes affected by the virus. As a result, bacterial sinusitis, sinusitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and otitis develop. In addition, there are complications from the cardiovascular, nervous, genitourinary, endocrine and digestive systems, which appears as:

neuritis;
radiculoneuritis;
myocarditis;
pancreatitis;
encephalopathy;
cystitis;
jade.

Most dangerous complication is meningitis and meningoencephalitis.

Prevention

Prevention of ARVI in children involves avoiding contact with sick people, as well as crowded places during seasonal outbreaks of the disease. It is of great importance to harden the child and take measures to strengthen his immunity, which is realized through:

proper daily routine;
good sleep;
balanced nutrition;
maintaining optimal temperature and humidity in the apartment;
playing sports;
compliance with personal hygiene rules;
daily walks in the fresh air.

To prevent influenza, you can get vaccinated. Due to the numerous strains of the influenza virus and its tendency to mutate, the vaccine does not guarantee 100% that the child will not get sick, but its use has some advantages. For example, the incidence rate decreases by 2.5–4 times compared to unvaccinated children. Even if a vaccinated child does get the flu, his illness is mild.

Video: Doctor Komarovsky about what to drink during ARVI

19 Feb 2015

ARVI is one of the most common groups of viral diseases, which unites adenovirus, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial infections, as well as influenza and parainfluenza. Children most often suffer from ARVI, and with age the number of diseases decreases. The disease is caused by 5 groups various viruses, having a total of about 300 subtypes, and is transmitted mainly by airborne droplets, as well as by kissing and transferring infection from hands to mucous membranes oral cavity, nose, eyes.

Symptoms of ARVI in children

On average, the incubation period ranges from several hours to 3 days, after which the first signs of the disease appear. In most cases, the causative agent of ARVI is first located on the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx, causing coughing, runny nose, and sneezing. If the infection has descended lower and reached the bronchial mucosa, then with an intense dry cough in young children, even vomiting is possible. During this period, children may have a red throat, swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose, and hoarseness. Typical manifestations ARVI - rhinitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis, laryngitis.

increased temperature, fever, feeling of chills;
general weakness, malaise, headache;
increased fatigue.

In children in age category up to 3 years (or slightly older), during this period ketone bodies may appear in the urine and the smell of acetone from the mouth. As the virus is destroyed by cells of the immune system, the temperature gradually drops and the child begins to recover: the cough becomes productive and gradually disappears, body temperature returns to normal, general state improves significantly.

In addition, the symptoms of ARVI depend on the type of infectious agent, for example:

Flu. It is characterized by the appearance primarily of high temperature, general weakness, increased fatigue, and only on the 2nd–3rd day of infection the throat turns red, a runny nose and cough appear.
Parainfluenza. It is milder than the flu, and in young children it often causes laryngostenosis due to narrowing of the glottis due to swelling of the vocal cords.
Rhinovirus infection. It is characterized by a profuse runny nose, lacrimation, cough, and at the same time practically normal temperature bodies.
Respiratory syncytial infection. The temperature is normal or rises slightly against the background of predominant damage to the lower respiratory tract, cough and wheezing in the lungs. In children of the first years of life, MS infection often causes interstitial pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
Adenoviral infection. People often call this type of ARVI stomach flu, because such a “cold” is accompanied dyspeptic disorders, for example, vomiting or diarrhea.

How many days does the temperature last for ARVI?

Fever with ARVI usually lasts no more than 3–5 days. If it drags on for a longer period, then it is necessary to undergo a more in-depth examination to exclude the addition of a bacterial infection and the development of complications.

Treatment of ARVI in children

A typical treatment protocol includes the following:

1. Basic therapy:

bed rest until body temperature normalizes;
dairy-vegetable diet;
drinking plenty of water;
in children under 6 months - instillation of saline solutions into the nose, after 6 months - prescription for severe rhinitis vasoconstrictor drops for 1–3 days;
dry nonproductive cough- antitussive drugs;
wet cough with difficult to separate sputum - mucolytic agents that thin the sputum and facilitate its removal;
when the temperature rises above 38.5 °C - antipyretic drugs. At a temperature of 38°C, antipyretics are indicated for children under 2 months of age, as well as for those with a history of seizures or diseases of the nervous or cardiovascular system. This is usually paracetamol or ibuprofen.

2. Etiotropic therapy:

aerosols and nasal drops of recombinant interferon preparations;
inducers of endogenous interferon;
direct acting antiviral drugs (inosine, arbidol).

Antibiotics are prescribed primarily for complications caused by bacterial infection, long period temperature (38°C and above for more than 3 days), repeated increase in temperature after its normalization, shortness of breath, unilateral wheezing in the lungs. Protected penicillins, cephalosporins and macrolides are usually used.

How to treat ARVI in children under one year old

If a child falls ill with ARVI in the first year of life, then in most cases he is hospitalized in a hospital. The only exceptions are very mild forms of the disease, which can be treated at home under supervision. medical personnel. Hospitalization in a hospital is due to the fact that children of this age group Serious complications that can lead to death can develop very quickly.

Complications of ARVI

Meningism - increase intracranial pressure. It manifests itself as vomiting, which does not bring relief, severe headache, meningeal symptoms, and general hyperesthesia.
Cerebral edema - severe headaches, changes in consciousness from a state of stupor to the development of coma, meningeal symptoms, bradycardia, increased blood pressure.
Infectious-toxic shock - fever, followed by a decrease in temperature, pallor, marbling of the skin, tachycardia, sharp drop blood pressure, development renal failure(decreased diuresis), hemorrhagic syndrome.
Respiratory distress syndrome - breathing sharply increases, shortness of breath increases, tachycardia, child anxiety, which is later replaced by apathy, drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness.

Among other complications, there is the development of bacterial sinusitis, bronchitis, sore throat, pneumonia, DIC syndrome, etc.

Prevention of influenza and other respiratory infections

In order to prevent infection with influenza and other respiratory infections, experts recommend taking the following drugs in prophylactic doses:

interferons;
arbidol;
multivitamin preparations;
plant adaptogens (echinacea, eleutherococcus, etc.).

When in contact with people with influenza, prophylactic can be used oxolinic ointment. At the same time, they limit contact with the sick person, wear gauze bandage. Also shown frequent washing hands, rinsing the mouth and throat. A good remedy Prevention of influenza in children and weakened patients is vaccination.

ARVI is a group of diseases most common in children aged 3 to 10-12 years. Most often, a respiratory viral infection is easily tolerated, but repeated episodes of ARVI predispose to the development of complications that are difficult to treat. The likelihood of the disease occurring is reduced by following a number of preventive measures.

ARVI in children is considered the most common infectious disease of origin affecting the respiratory system. The causative agents of acute respiratory viral infection, getting on the mucous membranes of the respiratory organs, begin to develop and multiply, which leads to the occurrence of inflammatory and degenerative changes.

Symptoms of ARVI depend on the type of virus and the place of its attachment in the respiratory system, the state of the immune system, and the age of the child. In babies early age respiratory infection is the most severe and is often complicated by the activation of bacteria, which worsens the course of the disease and overall well-being.

ARVI pathogens not only negatively affect respiratory system, but also penetrate into the blood, causing general intoxication of the body. Children from 3 to 8 years of age are more susceptible to the disease, this is due to the fact that it is at this time that the child begins to attend child care institutions and, accordingly, comes into contact with big amount peers. The causative agents of the disease are airborne and can be found on toys and personal belongings, so the contact and household route of infection spread in children's groups is not the least important.

Causes

ARVI in children is caused by a variety of viruses, there are more than two hundred of them. However, most often the cause of the disease is viruses:

Influenza and parainfluenza;
Adenoviruses;
Rhinoviruses and reoviruses;
Enteroviruses.

Symptoms of ARVI, regardless of the type of pathogen, have similar characteristics. But the form of the disease is mainly determined by the type of virus:

Rhinovirus prefers to settle on the mucous membrane of the nasal passages, which leads to rhinitis;
The influenza virus infects the walls of the trachea; its development in the body is indicated by barking;
Adenovirus causes acute tonsillitis, nasopharyngitis, often complicated by purulent;
RS viral infection affects the lower respiratory tract, which leads to paroxysmal cough, shortness of breath.

Acute respiratory infection can occur as rhinitis, nasopharyngitis, nasopharyngitis, tracheitis. Less commonly, viruses cause.

Clinical picture of ARVI

Epitheliotropy - damage and destruction of epithelial cells, which are the main mucous membranes;
Vasotropy – damage to the vascular walls;
Lymphotropism is a pathological effect on lymphoid tissue.

It is the properties of viruses listed above that determine and clinical picture ARVI. There are several stages during the course of the disease:

Incubation. Lasts from 1 to 3-4 days. At this time, the microorganism that has penetrated the body becomes attached to the mucous membranes and begins to multiply. There are practically no symptoms of ARVI at this stage, although the child may be lethargic or too restless;
Acute stage. Viruses begin to destroy healthy cells and multiply. At this stage, catarrhal symptoms first appear - sore throat, sneezing, coughing, lacrimation. After 1-2 days, the virus enters the blood, which leads to the appearance common symptoms diseases - nausea, weakness, refusal to eat, moodiness. The temperature during ARVI increases in most cases and can remain at 37.5 – 39 degrees for 3-4 days. At this time it is possible to increase regional lymph nodes, submandibular, cervical;
Reversal of symptoms and recovery. Average duration acute phase ARVI in children - 3-5 days, after which all the main symptoms of the disease begin to decrease, the child becomes in good spirits and... Nasal discharge and a wet cough may bother you for the longest time.

A typical picture of ARVI is described above. But sometimes acute stage The disease is complicated by a bacterial infection or viral infection of internal organs, which is manifested by worsening symptoms of the disease, dyspeptic symptoms, headaches, and severe weakness.

Consequences of respiratory infection

After acute respiratory viral infection, the functioning of the immune system is not restored immediately. The child’s body is weakened after illness, which increases the likelihood of developing pathologies of the ENT organs, inflammatory lesions genitourinary system. Frequent respiratory viral infections delay physical and mental development, disrupt the normal functioning of the nervous system, and can negatively affect the functioning of the heart.

High temperature during ARVI in young children can lead to febrile. But the most severe complications of the disease are considered acute glomerulonephritis, rheumatism, laryngeal stenosis, meningoencephalitis. Fortunately, such complications are extremely rare and can be almost completely prevented. timely treatment ARVI in children and compliance with preventive measures that reduce the incidence of viral infection.

Differences between ARVI and colds

ARVI I (acute respiratory disease or otherwise) most people consider different terms denoting one pathology. This is somewhat wrong. The concept of acute respiratory infections includes a group of respiratory infections caused by different types pathogens - viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi. Whereas ARVI indicates a specific causative agent of the disease - a virus.

That is, a child can be given an acute respiratory infection if the doctor doubts the viral etiology of the cold. Both diseases present with similar symptoms, but their treatment differs because they require antibacterial drugs. Experienced doctors distinguish acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections by symptoms and subjective signs, and laboratory tests help confirm the diagnosis.

Influenza and ARVI mean viral infection, so both of these diseases are treated almost the same. However, the flu is more severe, it is more characterized by symptoms of intoxication and high fever, pain and muscle aches, and catarrhal changes are mild.

Principles of treatment

Maintaining bed rest acute period;
Frequently air the room and carry out wet cleaning at least 2 times a day;
Drink plenty of fluids. ARVI disease rarely leads to complications if the child is given water as often as possible from the first day of illness. It's best to give clean water, sour fruit drinks, compotes, herbal decoctions. Drinking plenty of fluids helps wash away viruses from the mucous membranes and accelerates the elimination of toxins accumulated in the body;
Use of antipyretics when the temperature rises above 38.5 degrees. If a child is prone to seizures, pediatricians recommend starting to lower the temperature if it begins to approach 37.5 degrees;
Reception antihistamines. These drugs reduce swelling, so their use is justified if ARVI is manifested by symptoms of laryngitis and severe nasal congestion;
For rhinitis (inflammation of the mucous walls of the nose), it is necessary to rinse the nasal passages with physical therapy. solution, AquaMaris, chamomile decoction. Vasoconstrictor drops help reduce swelling.

Drug treatment for ARVI in a child must be prescribed by a doctor. If a cough occurs, antitussives are needed, and subsequently drugs that help soften and remove sputum. From the very first day it is recommended to use antiviral drugs in the form of tablets, rectal suppositories, drops Their use prevents further replication of the virus and thereby alleviates the symptoms of infection.

For a sore throat, you can use sprays and aerosols with antiseptic components. Their use reduces unpleasant symptoms and makes swallowing easier.

Treatment of ARVI in children does not involve the use of antibiotics. If parents uncontrollably give their child medications from this group, the likelihood of complications will increase many times over.

From the very first symptoms of an acute viral infection, you can give Doromarin, a unique vitamin complex for children, created specifically to strengthen the immune system and improve the functioning of internal organs. Taking DoroMarine is considered the optimal prevention of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections, it alleviates the course of the disease, and reduces the need for taking medications. This mechanism of action is due to the fact that the therapeutic and prophylactic product acts in several directions at once:

Increases the body's defenses;
Normalizes metabolic reactions;
Activates the production of its own immunoglobulins. This leads to greater resistance of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and digestive organs to the pathogenic effects of microbes, including viruses;
Cleanses internal organs of toxins and drug residues;
Accelerates tissue regeneration.

A course of DoroMarine is recommended not only for frequently ill children, but also for healthy children as a preventive measure. colds. The vitamin complex has a positive effect on the respiratory system and the heart. genitourinary organs, nervous system. Taking Doromarin improves the physical and mental development of children, prevents the development of serious somatic and infectious diseases.

During the acute period, the child has no appetite; you should not force feed the baby. After reducing the symptoms of intoxication, it is advisable to give light and fortified foods, especially in cases where the disease occurs with damage to the digestive organs. After ARVI, the likelihood of reinfection, this means you need to reduce the child’s contact with other children to a minimum for several days and not take him with you to places with large crowds of people. But walks in the fresh air can be resumed as soon as the temperature stabilizes.

Prevention

Prevention of influenza and ARVI in children is simple, but preventive measures should be observed at all times. These include:

Daily walks in the fresh air lasting from 2 hours;
Active lifestyle. This means that the child should move as much as possible, play outdoor games, kick a ball on the street. He should be allowed to spend as little time as possible watching cartoons;
Maintaining a daily routine. Full sleep– one of the important components of the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections in young children;
Maintaining cleanliness in living rooms;
Proper nutrition. The baby's diet should contain more lactic acid products, fruits, vegetables, cereals, soups and as little sweets as possible.

With frequent recurrence of acute respiratory infections, the child needs additional vitamin complexes and immunomodulators, the latter should be prescribed by a doctor. Many parents note an increase in their child’s immunity after a course of using a therapeutic and prophylactic product based on natural ingredients, Doromarin.

DoroMarine is completely safe for children; it does not cause adverse reactions and allergies, can be combined with drug therapy. Reception vitamin complex allowed from three months of age. The safety of Doromarin is confirmed by its completely natural composition:

, contains whole line biologically active substances, , ;
Extract from . Its properties are similar to the effects on the body fish oil;
. Helps strengthen bone tissue, improves the formation of dental tissue;
. Contains vitamins and gives the product a pleasant taste.

Doromarin helps cope with anemia in a child, relieves constipation, changes in better side when taking it, they were noticed in children with cerebral palsy, allergic reactions, chronic respiratory diseases. It is advisable to start the DoroMarine course before the child starts attending school or kindergarten, such a measure to prevent influenza and ARVI will allow the baby not to get sick even during the cold season.