Laryngitis In Children - Treatment Regimen, Medications, Symptoms

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Laryngitis in children: how to treat?

Laryngitis is an acute inflammation of the larynx and vocal cords. Various infections can provoke laryngitis: influenza, acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections, etc. In adults, laryngitis is easier than in children. This is due to a number of factors. First, the child's immune system is not strong enough to fully resist the infection. Secondly, the structural features of the vocal cords and larynx in children often lead to the fact that they develop stenosis. This is a serious complication in which the lumen of the pharynx narrows sharply and the child cannot breathe normally.

Content:

• Types of laryngitis
• Laryngitis symptoms
• Children's medicines for the treatment of laryngitis
• Cough medicines for children with laryngitis
• If you need to lower your body temperature
• Lozenges and lozenges
• Sprays
• Inhalation

Types of laryngitis

There are several types of laryngitis. Depending on the specific type of inflammation, not only the clinical picture will differ, but also the treatment.

• Catarrhal laryngitis. This disease is rarely complicated by stenosis and has the most favorable prognosis. The patient has a sore throat, the throat is red, the body temperature is high, there is some hoarseness of the voice. Edema in the vocal cords is rare, so breathing problems with catarrhal laryngitis are rare.
• Hypertrophic laryngitis. The patient's body temperature rises to high levels, the throat is red, the mucous membrane thickens.
• Hemorrhagic laryngitis. With this form of the disease, multiple hemorrhages occur in the tissue of the throat and vocal cords. A person complains of pain in a characteristic area, dryness and sore throat in the oropharynx. He may feel like there is a foreign object in his throat. With a strong cough, mucus streaked with blood comes out. Paroxysmal cough, dry.
• Diphtheria laryngitis. The inflammation spreads to the lining of the throat and to the tonsils. This leads to a narrowing of the airways.

• Laryngotracheitis. The inflammation is concentrated in the upper trachea. The patient is pursued by a paroxysmal cough resembling a dog barking. The voice becomes hoarse and the body temperature rises to high levels. The larynx swells, which makes breathing difficult. Croup is more likely to develop during sleep.
• Phlegmonous laryngitis. This disease develops due to a sharp decrease in their own defenses, which often occurs after serious illnesses that a person has suffered. Laryngitis is indicated by high body temperature, laryngeal edema, pain when swallowing food, and enlarged lymph nodes in size. The pathognomic symptom of this type of laryngitis is the areas of the abscess, which are concentrated on the tonsils, on the laryngeal mucosa and on the vocal cords.
• Atrophic laryngitis. In childhood, this type of disease practically does not occur. In a patient with such a diagnosis, the mucous membrane of the throat undergoes pathological changes, becomes very thin and vulnerable.

Self-diagnosis of laryngitis and the selection of treatment is unacceptable. This should be done by a doctor.

Laryngitis symptoms

The main manifestations of laryngitis include:

• Swelling and redness of the throat.
• Rhinitis.
• Hoarseness of voice, hoarseness.
• Hemorrhage in the mucous membranes of the throat (this symptom is observed in the hemorrhagic form of the disease).
• Sore throat.
• Pain when swallowing food.
• Cough. He is paroxysmal, barking.
• High body temperature.

Croup in children is characterized by a severe course of the disease and is accompanied by breathing difficulties.

Laryngitis in childhood often has a rapid course. Its symptoms increase rapidly, especially during a night's rest. The child begins to choke, breathing becomes wheezing. In such a situation, you need to immediately call an ambulance.

Children's medicines for the treatment of laryngitis

In the treatment of laryngitis, drugs from different groups are used.

Antihistamines

• Loratadine. It is prescribed for children over a year old. The drug gives a minimum of side effects, does not affect the work of the heart and blood vessels, but provokes drowsiness and inhibition of reactions. The drug can be purchased both in tablet form and in the form of a syrup.
• Erius. This drug is approved for use by children over a year old. It has a pronounced antihistamine effect, allows you to stop bronchial spasm. Erius begins to act quickly. The drug can be purchased in both liquid and pill form. In rare cases, against the background of its administration, tachycardia may develop.

Immunostimulants

• Imupret. The drug is produced in two forms (dragee and tincture). The composition of Imupret contains herbs that have a tonic and immunomodulatory effect on the body. Its reception allows you to speed up recovery and shorten the duration of the disease. There are practically no contraindications to taking the drug, with the exception of allergies to the herbs included in it.
• Immunal. This drug is prescribed for children to increase immunity and reduce the acute period of the disease. It can be offered to a child over a year old (in the form of a solution). Immunal is prescribed not only for the treatment of respiratory and other infections, but also for their prevention. Contraindications to taking the drug are autoimmune diseases and AIDS.

Antibacterial drugs

Antibacterial drugs for laryngitis can only be prescribed by a doctor. They are indicated for reception when the disease was caused by microbial flora. Most often, antibiotics are prescribed in the case of phlegmonous laryngitis, or with the development of complications.

• Amoxiclav. It is a penicillin antibiotic that is harmful to many bacteria. It can be used to treat children of any age. The dose is selected taking into account the child's body weight. It is forbidden to prescribe Amoxiclav to patients with jaundice and hepatitis. The most common side effect is allergies. The drug can be purchased in the form of a suspension and in tablet form.
• Cefotaxime is a cephalosporin antibiotic that destroys the cells of the microbial wall. It is fatal to most of the bacterial flora. The drug is used as an injection. It can be used to treat children from birth, but taking into account contraindications and side effects.
• Bioparox. It is a local antibiotic that has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. It comes in aerosol form. Bioparox is used only after consultation with a doctor and a strictly limited course. If you do not follow the terms of treatment, then this will negatively affect your own microflora of the nasopharynx. The drug is prescribed for children over 2.5 years old.
• Sumamed is an antibiotic from the macrolide group. It has the ability to concentrate in high doses in the area of inflammation, due to which the microbial flora quickly dies. The dose is selected depending on the weight of the child. It is forbidden to prescribe Sumamed to patients with kidney and liver diseases. The drug is produced in the form of a suspension of capsules and tablets. The most common side effects are nausea and allergic reactions.

Cough medicines for children with laryngitis

Cough is the leading symptom of laryngitis. It gives a sick child severe discomfort, as it intensifies at night. The cough is dry, paroxysmal. To ease the course of the disease, doctors prescribe antitussives.

• Sinecode. The drug blocks the cough center, which is located in the brain, but does not depress breathing. Taking it allows you to expand the bronchi and relieve the symptoms of laryngitis. Sinekod is used to treat children with paroxysmal dry coughs, as it allows sputum to thin. The drug is produced in the form of a suspension and in the form of drops. The effect develops quickly, about half an hour after taking the drug. Age restrictions are insignificant. It is prescribed for children from 2 months. However, the drug has a number of contraindications, which you must definitely familiarize yourself with.
• Herbion with plantain. The syrup is prescribed to transfer dry cough to wet. Herbion is based on herbal ingredients, allows you to stop the inflammatory reaction, increases immunity. The throat stops hurting, as the drug relieves inflammation from the affected tissues. It is prescribed for children over 2 years old.
• Bronhosan. This drug allows you to liquefy a viscous secretion and facilitates its easy removal from the respiratory tract. With a dry cough, Bronhosan is not used. Taking drops prevents the spread of infection throughout the body. Since essential oils are present in the drops, they should be offered to the child carefully, as there is a possibility of developing an allergic reaction. Patients with diseases of the digestive system, kidneys and liver do not take the drug. Treatment with Bronhosan can be carried out for children over 2 years old.
• Lazolvan. The drug is available in liquid form. The solution can be used for inhalation using a nebulizer, or can be taken orally. The main active ingredient is ambroxol hydrochloride. The mucolytic effect develops within half an hour after oral administration of the drug. The main active ingredient is concentrated in the respiratory organs. The first reception of Lazolvan should be under special control, since the drug can cause an allergic reaction. It is prescribed to children from birth, if necessary.

If you need to lower your body temperature

• Nurofen. The drug is used to lower body temperature for various infectious diseases. Nurofen has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. It is very convenient to use the drug, since it is available in the form of syrup, suppositories, tablets and even cream. The dose is calculated depending on the patient's age. It is prescribed to children from birth.
• Paracetamol. The drug has antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, it helps relieve pain. Paracetamol is not prescribed for patients with diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia, liver and kidney diseases, and blood diseases.

Lozenges and lozenges

• Sage lozenges. The preparation contains sage extract and oil, as well as ascorbic acid. There is no sugar in it. Tablets are used to treat children over 5 years old, they can stop inflammation, soften a sore throat, and destroy microbes.
• Tantum Verde. The drug has an antiseptic and analgesic effect. Children will gladly dissolve these tablets, as they have a pleasant mint taste. The effect develops very quickly. Tantum Verde is prescribed for children from 3 years old.

Sprays

• Miramistin. This spray has a pronounced antiseptic effect, It destroys even those microbes that are resistant to antibiotics. Local application of Miramistin allows not to have a systemic effect on the body. You can purchase the drug in the form of a spray and ointment. Miramistin does not cause side effects, except for an allergic reaction, which happens quite rarely. Also, the drug has no contraindications.
• Hexoral. This aerosol contains hexetidine, which helps to kill pathogenic flora. The drug has an anti-inflammatory effect, reduces the intensity of pain and relieves swelling from tissues. After its application, the effect lasts for 10 hours. It can be administered to children over 3 years of age.

Inhalation

• Berodual. This drug promotes the expansion of the bronchi, which helps to normalize breathing. Berodual is produced in the form of drops and aerosol. It can be poured into an inhaler after being diluted with saline. Berodual has a number of contraindications and side effects, so you need to use it with caution. The age limit for children is 3 years.
• Pulmicort. This drug helps relieve spasm, normalizes breathing by expanding the bronchi and reducing edema. It is prescribed for children over 6 months old. Pulmicort is produced in the form of a suspension and powder for inhalers.

The author of the article: Sokolova Praskovya Fedorovna | Pediatrician

Education: Diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received at the Volgograd State Medical University. A specialist certificate was immediately received in 2014.