11 Throat infections in question
1) What are the most common throat infections in children in winter?
The respiratory system is the most susceptible to infections in children. Respiratory tract infections are the most common infectious diseases of childhood. In winter, upper respiratory infections (infectious diseases), colds, colds, influenza, tonsillitis (tonsillitis), sinusitis and otitis media (otitis) are the most common diseases.
2) What are the causes of upper respiratory tract infections?
Different microbes, viruses and bacteria cause these diseases. Studies conducted all over the world found that 70-80% of the agents were different viruses (more than 200 different sexes). Viruses are very small microbes, cannot be seen with normal microscopes, and an antibiotic that kills viruses has not yet been found. Bacteria (group A beta hemolytic streptococcus) were the most common causative agents in 20-30% of cases. Bacteria are microbes larger than viruses, can be seen under normal microscopes and can be killed by antibiotics.
3) Why are upper respiratory tract infections more common in winter?
The incidence of these microbes in nature increases in winter. The incidence of upper respiratory tract infections increases in winter months due to the fact that they are kept in closed places (schools, kindergartens, barracks, workplaces, etc.) for a long time, they are not well ventilated, the body resistance of the cold decreases, cigarette smoke, inadequate and unbalanced nutrition and some unknown mechanisms.
4) How often do upper respiratory infections occur?
Upper respiratory tract infections caused by viruses can be 3-8 times a year in childhood. At the end of a study, it was found that children had a total of 100 respiratory tract infections until the age of 10 years. The incidence decreases after age 6-7. Adults have upper respiratory tract infections 1-3 times a year.
5) What are the factors that cause these infections?
Upper respiratory tract infection or nasopharyngitis is inflammation of the nasal passage and pharynx. The majority of cases start suddenly. It is caused by viral agents. Upper respiratory infections are 50% more common in children in day nurseries and nurseries. Transmission usually occurs when the causative agent in the nasal secretions of sick people is passed on to other people. The main forms of contamination are the spreading of these secretions into the air as droplets as a result of coughing or sneezing and settling them in the upper respiratory tract mucosa of other people, or spreading these secretions to the hands of other persons and the outer layer of the nose and eyeball.
6) Why are upper respiratory tract infections more common in children?
The main reason for this is the body's immune system. Microbes entering our bodies recognize some cells in our blood and place them in their memory. When these microbes enter our body again, they are inactivated by the so-called antibodies that these protective cells secrete. This protective effect of some microbes is lifetime, such as measles, chicken pox, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, mumps. For some microbes, the protective effect is shorter. Since more than 200 viruses are caused by upper respiratory infections, long-term immunity to each cannot be achieved. For example, when a woman who is about 20 years old and has antibodies (immune substances) in her body against many germs, these protective substances pass to the baby through blood and the baby does not get sick as often as the mother during the first 6-9 months. However, these preservatives 6-9. As the baby becomes ill, the protective substances begin to be made by itself. In addition to this main reason, the protective effect of breastmilk is abolished and infants become more likely to develop upper respiratory tract infections in children from 1 year to 5-6 years.
7) What are the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections?
Symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection caused by viruses
runny nose - feeling of fullness,
fire,
sneezing next to cough,
headache,
postnasal drip,
burning-pain in the throat,
sometimes watering and burring in the eyes,
muscle pain,
weakness and
Anorexia.
Sore throat: It is an infection with redness in the throat. It can occur as an extension of the common cold or flu, or may be a symptom of measles or rubella. Sore throat may be accompanied by ear pain. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing and unwillingness to eat, redness in the throat, mild fever, swelling of the glands, and accompanying abdominal pain in young children. If you suspect that your child has a throat infection, open his mouth in front of a strong light to look at his throat. If there is infection, it looks red and rusty. White creamy spots may also be seen on the tonsils or throat. Examine both sides of your child's neck and under the chin by gently pressing to see if the glands are swollen. If you feel any of these, contact your doctor immediately. Give your child plenty of liquid drinks. If swallowing is difficult, bring food to a more liquid consistency. Of course, do not forget to measure your child's fever. If high, give your doctor a dose of paracetamol syrup. Treatment for mild throat infections may not be necessary, but antibiotics will start if your doctor thinks this is a bacterial infection.
Tonsillitis: Tonsils behind the throat, on two sides, the body's immune system-related tasks are glands. Their inflammation (tonsilitis) is a disease in which tonsil infection and excessive sore throat, high fever and nausea and vomiting may also occur. As a symptom, there is severe pain mixed with ear pain during swallowing. When you look at the child's throat, you will notice the tonsils growing and blushing. In this case, you should give your child plenty of fluids and reduce the fever with paracetamol syrup. The doctor will examine your child's throat and get a throat culture to see which bacteria are causing this infection. The infection can be cleaned with appropriate antibiotics. If tonsilitis occurs frequently in your child and your general health is affected (retardation and weight gain may occur), it may be advisable to remove the tonsils.
Pharyngitis: Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the throat region called pharynx. Acute pharyngitis is usually caused by viruses, but bacteria can also cause pharyngitis. She has severe sore throat and difficulty swallowing. These symptoms are usually associated with high fever. Pharyngitis due to throat pain and burning is also often the causative agent. There is no need for antibiotic treatment in these infections where adenoviruses, enteroviruses and rhinoviruses are the most common pathogens. Group A beta hemolytic streptococci may also be responsible for pharyngitis in older children. Antibiotic treatment should be started if necessary by differentiating with throat culture and some rapid tests (such as Strept A). Tonsillitis is a form of pharyngitis in which inflammation is concentrated in the tonsils and an inflammatory membrane covers the tonsils. Group A beta hemolytic streptococci and epstein barr virus (EMN) are the most common agents.
8) What kind of problems do they cause if left untreated?
The main problem and purpose in the diagnosis and treatment of these infections is to differentiate viral nasopharyngitis from bacterial infections. While viral upper respiratory tract infections show spontaneous recovery without treatment, antibiotics should be used for bacterial infections such as streptococcal tonsillitis and sinusitis. If group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections are not treated, acute rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis may occur, as well as abscess (peritonsillar, retropharyngeal abscess) formation in the upper respiratory tract. In addition, if the infected person does not use the effective antibiotic at the appropriate dose and time, it can spread the infection to those around him.
9) What should families take care to protect children from throat infections?
The most important measure of protection is washing of hands. In this way, the secretions of the sick people are prevented from being transmitted to the entry routes of infection such as mouth, conjunctiva and nose. Closure of the mouth during coughing and sneezing and the use of paper masks by sick people also eliminate contamination through the droplet. Non-smoking at home and indoors significantly reduces the frequency of infection. It is reported that children who are breastfed have fewer upper respiratory infections.
In repeated group A beta hemolytic streptococcal infections, it is very important to cultivate throat culture in all family members and to detect and treat them if there is a surrogate at home. It is also very important for the child with streptococcal throat infection to use the appropriate dose of antibiotic for 10 days and to apply intramuscular depot penicillin treatment every three weeks if the doctor considers it necessary to prevent acute rheumatic fever and its complication of heart involvement.
10) What are the supportive practices at home in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections?
In upper respiratory tract infections caused by viruses, it is recommended to rest in a clean, smokeless environment, balanced and abundant liquids (linden, herbal teas, fruit juice, compote, compote, etc.) diet and water vapor environment, nose cleaning and dropping of saline physiologically. The best natural substance that softens phlegm and secretion is water. Pain relief - antipyretic drugs can be given for restlessness, pain and fever. Antibiotics are not required, antibiotics do not shorten the duration of the disease, do not prevent the formation of more complex diseases (inflammation of the middle ear, pneumonia, bronchiolitis).
Penicillin or other suitable antibiotics may be used in the upper respiratory tract (especially tonsillitis) caused by bacteria.
11) What is fever? What to do in feverish situations?
Fever body temperature below 37.7 0C from the armpit, 38.5 0C from the breech is increased. In children, fever usually rises in microbial diseases. Fever is a body's defense mechanism against microbes. (Such as cough respiratory tract, vomiting stomach, diarrhea can be considered as the defense mechanism of the intestines.) Fever, prevents the reproduction of microbes in the body. It is normal for fever to persist for 3-4 days without any new symptoms in upper respiratory tract infections, even if medication is used. If the fever does not disappear again on the 4th or 5th day, consult a doctor again.
Do not cover your child in feverish situations, use a thin sheet or sheet if necessary.
Keep your child away from places that emit heat, such as stoves, heaters, etc. Keep them in a cool room.
Dress with water at room temperature (19-20 0C).
Painkiller - antipyretic drug paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin and so on. You can use. However, aspirin is not preferred due to the rare side effects seen in recent years and it is not recommended to use especially in chickenpox and mumps diseases. You can use tablets, syrups or rectal suppositories.
If the fire does not fall again, shower with warm water.
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