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Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx and vocal cords that has an acute course. Various infections can provoke laryngitis: influenza, SARS, 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.
Types of laryngitis
There are several types of laryngitis. Depending on the specific type of inflammation, not only the clinical picture, but also the treatment will differ.
catarrhal laryngitis. This disease is rarely complicated by stenosis and has the most favorable prognosis. The patient has a sore throat, red throat, high body temperature, there is some hoarseness. Edema rarely spreads to the vocal cords, so breathing problems with catarrhal laryngitis do not often occur.
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 tissues of the throat and vocal cords. A person complains of pain in a characteristic area, dryness and perspiration in the oropharynx. He may have a feeling that there is a foreign object in his throat. With a strong cough, mucus with streaks of blood comes out. Cough paroxysmal, dry.
diphtheria laryngitis. Inflammation extends to the mucous membrane of the throat and to the tonsils. This leads to narrowing of the airways.
Laryngotracheitis. Inflammation is concentrated in the upper part of the trachea. The patient is haunted by a paroxysmal cough, reminiscent of a dog’s barking. The voice becomes hoarse, the body temperature rises to high levels. The larynx swells, which causes difficulty in breathing. During sleep, the likelihood of croup is high.
Phlegmonous laryngitis. This disease develops due to a sharp decrease in one’s 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 an increase in lymph nodes in size. The pathognomic symptom of this type of laryngitis are areas of abscess, which are concentrated on the tonsils, on the mucous membrane of the larynx 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.
Laryngitis symptoms
The main manifestations of laryngitis include:
Swelling and redness of the throat.
Rhinitis.
Hoarseness of voice, hoarseness.
Hemorrhages in the mucous membranes of the throat (this symptom is observed in the hemorrhagic form of the disease).
Sore throat.
Pain while swallowing food.
Cough. He is paroxysmal, barking.
High body temperature.
Croup in children characterizes the 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 the night’s rest. The child begins to choke, breathing becomes wheezing. In such a situation, you should immediately call an ambulance.
Children’s medicines for the treatment of laryngitis
In the treatment of laryngitis, drugs from different groups are used.
Antihistamines
Loratadin. It is prescribed for children older than a year. 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 as a syrup.
Erius. This drug is approved for use by children older than a year. It has a pronounced antihistamine effect, allows you to stop bronchial spasm. Erius starts to act quickly. You can buy the drug both in liquid form and in the form of tablets. In rare cases, against the background of its reception, the development of tachycardia is possible.
Immunostimulants
Imupret. The drug is produced in two forms (drops and tincture). Imupret contains herbs that have a tonic and immunomodulatory effect on the body. Its reception allows you to bring recovery closer and reduce the duration of the disease. There are practically no contraindications to taking the drug, with the exception of allergies to its constituent herbs.
Immunal. This drug is prescribed to children to increase immunity and reduce the acute period of the disease. It can be offered to a child older than a year (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 admission when the disease was caused by the microbial flora. Most often, antibiotics are prescribed in the case of phlegmonous laryngitis, or with the development of complications.
Cough medicine
Cough is the leading symptom of laryngitis. It gives the sick child severe discomfort, as it intensifies at night. Cough dry, paroxysmal. To alleviate the course of the disease, doctors prescribe antitussive drugs.
Synecod. The drug blocks the cough center, which is located in the brain, but it does not depress breathing. Its reception allows you to expand the bronchi and relieve the symptoms of laryngitis. Sinekod is used to treat children with paroxysmal dry cough, as it allows you to thin the sputum. The drug is available 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 minor. It is prescribed to children from 2 months. However, the drug has a number of contraindications, which must be familiarized with.
Herbion with plantain. The syrup is prescribed to translate a dry cough into a wet one. Herbion is based on plant components, allows you to stop the inflammatory reaction, improves immunity. The throat stops hurting, as the drug relieves inflammation from the affected tissues. It is prescribed for children over 2 years old.
Bronchosan. This drug allows you to thin the viscous secret and promotes its easy removal from the respiratory tract. With a dry cough, Bronchosan 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 Bronchosan can be carried out in children older than 2 years.
Lazolvan. The drug is available in liquid form. The solution can be used for inhalation using a nebulizer, or it 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 substance is concentrated in the respiratory organs. The first reception of Lazolvan should take place 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. Use the drug to reduce body temperature in various infectious diseases. Nurofen has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. It is very convenient to use the drug, as it is available in the form of syrup, suppositories, tablets and even cream. The dose is calculated depending on the age of the patient. It is prescribed to children from birth.
Paracetamol. The drug has an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, it helps relieve pain. Paracetamol is not prescribed to patients with diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia, liver and kidney diseases, and blood diseases.
Lozenges and lozenges
Lozenges Sage. The composition of the drug contains extract and oil of sage, as well as ascorbic acid. It has no sugar. Tablets are used to treat children over 5 years old, they allow you to stop inflammation, soften a sore throat, and destroy germs.
Tantum Verde. The drug has an antiseptic and analgesic effect. Children are happy to 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
Miramistine. This spray has a pronounced antiseptic effect, It destroys even those microbes that are resistant to antibiotics. Local application of Miramistin allows you not to have a systemic effect on the body. You can buy the drug in the form of a spray and the form of an ointment. Miramistin does not cause side effects, except for an allergic reaction, which happens quite rarely. Also, the drug has no contraindications.
Gexoral. This aerosol contains hexetidine, which contributes to the destruction of pathogenic flora. The drug has an anti-inflammatory effect, reduces the intensity of pain and relieves swelling from the tissues. After its application, the effect persists for 10 hours. It can be given to children over 3 years of age.
inhalation
Berodual. This drug helps to expand the bronchi, which allows you to normalize breathing. Berodual is produced in the form of drops and aerosol. It can be poured into an inhaler, previously diluted with saline. Berodual has a number of contraindications and side effects, so it should be used with caution. Age limit for children – 3 years.
Pulmicort. This drug helps to relieve spasm, normalizes breathing by expanding the bronchi and reducing swelling. It is prescribed for children older than 6 months. Pulmicort is produced in the form of a suspension and powder for inhalers.