Contents
The disease often occurs in childhood and is characterized by fever up to 39 ° C and above, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat and symptoms of intoxication (headache, weakness).
Angina often develops in the cold season in children attending school, kindergarten, because in these places there is a higher risk of infection transmission. Angina is more susceptible to children with weakened immune systems, often suffering from colds.
Types of angina in children
Angina can occur as an independent disease, or as a complication of another infectious disease (flu, diphtheria, scarlet fever, measles, etc.).
According to the severity of the defeat of the palatine tonsils, angina can be:
- Catarrhal – the easiest form of angina with a quick recovery within 5 – 7 days;
- Follicular – tonsillitis with involvement of tonsil follicles. When viewed on the surface of the tonsils, yellow, pus-filled vesicles (follicles) are visible;
- Lacunar – a type of angina, which is characterized by a diffuse mucopurulent lesion of the tissue of the tonsils, usually with an increase in regional lymph nodes;
- Ulcerative necrotic – the most severe degree of damage to the palatine tonsils with tissue necrosis.
herpes sore throat
The causative agent of herpetic or herpes sore throat is the Coxsackie virus, which belongs to the family of enteroviruses. This type of virus is dangerous because it can affect not only the tissue of the tonsils, muscle tissue, but also nerve cells. Therefore, herpes sore throat is dangerous because it often occurs with the involvement of other organs.
Infection with enterovirus occurs by airborne or fecal-oral route. You can get sick with herpes sore throat once in a lifetime, after which a strong immunity to this type of infection is formed in the body. Most often, children suffer from herpes sore throat, but this does not exclude this disease in adults.
Symptoms of herpes sore throat are:
- The appearance of small transparent bubbles covering the oral cavity, palate, tonsils. After a few hours, these bubbles burst. In their place, sores are formed, covered with plaque. Ulcers heal no earlier than a week later;
- An increase in temperature up to 39 ° C, accompanied by chills;
- Enlarged lymph nodes, cervical and axillary;
- sore throat, difficulty swallowing;
- In young children under 3 years of age, nausea and vomiting may occur.
Purulent sore throat
Purulent sore throat in colloquial speech is called sore throats, which are accompanied by an accumulation of pus in the tonsils. These include follicular, lacunar tonsillitis. The course of these sore throats is always severe and is accompanied by fever with fever up to 40 ° C, severe symptoms of intoxication, headache, severe weakness, nausea and vomiting are possible. The child usually has enlarged lymph nodes. In the blood, the indicators of leukocytes and ESR increase. Antibiotics are prescribed for the treatment of purulent tonsillitis.
Causes of angina in children
Anginas differ in origin, depending on the pathogen they are caused by, and are divided into bacterial and viral. Most often (about 90%), angina is caused by a bacterial infection, and its most common causative agent is beta-hemolytic streptococcus. In 20% of cases, the cause of acute tonsillitis may be a combined infection of streptococcus and staphylococcus aureus. In very young children, angina of viral origin most often develops. The causative agents of such a sore throat can be the following types of viruses:
- Adenoviruses;
- Herpesviruses;
- Cytomegalovirus;
- Epstein-Barr viruses;
- Respiratory syncytial virus.
The infection is transmitted from one child to another by airborne droplets, but infection is also possible through shared utensils, personal hygiene items, toys, or even food.
The development of acute tonsillitis can contribute to:
- hypothermia;
- Reduced immunity;
- The presence of a focus of chronic inflammation (caries, sinusitis).
Angina can occur not only as an independent disease, but also as a complication of another infection (flu, diphtheria, scarlet fever, measles, etc.).
Treatment of angina in children
Treatment of angina is aimed at eliminating purulent inflammation of the tonsil tissue. For this purpose, with bacterial angina, antibiotics are prescribed in most cases. Only a doctor can decide which antibiotics your child should take. Self-treatment of angina in children is unacceptable.
Only a specialist can establish an accurate diagnosis of angina with a thorough examination of the child. Many other diseases can cause symptoms similar to tonsillitis, but their treatment may differ. Improper treatment of angina can lead to serious complications, such as rheumatoid arthritis, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, etc.
In the treatment of angina, bed rest is prescribed. The child must be provided with peace, the absence of any stress, plenty of fluids, soft food that does not irritate the throat.
For the treatment of bacterial streptococcal angina, antibiotics of the penicillin group (amoxicillin with clavulanic acid), macrolides (azithromycin, clarithromycin), as well as cephalosporins and carbopenems are prescribed. With herpes sore throat, antiviral drugs are prescribed.
Symptomatic treatment of angina is aimed at reducing such manifestations of angina as fever, local infectious-allergic reaction. For this, antihistamines, paracetamol, nurofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be prescribed.
To reduce the local inflammatory process, rinsing or irrigating the throat with antibacterial agents, for example, hexoral, miramistin, is indicated.
Prevention of angina in children at home
Prevention of angina and its complications is to strengthen the immune system, hardening. Physical activity, physical education, walks in open air, a balanced diet containing the necessary amount of vitamins and microelements are necessary. It is important to maintain oral hygiene, timely elimination of foci of infection. During epidemics, it is necessary to take measures to prevent the transmission of infection by airborne droplets.