Very often, children complain of sore throat when swallowing, which in most cases occurs during the off-season and SARS epidemics. Pain is often accompanied by symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and weakness. The main reason for this, as a rule, is angina and other bacterial and viral lesions of the laryngeal mucosa. In the article we will consider what to do if the child is painful to swallow.
Causes
There are some of the most common reasons why a child is painful to swallow, among which are:
- Viral infections. These include influenza, parainfluenza, colds, chickenpox, measles, infectious mononucleosis.
- Bacterial infections. This is diphtheria, mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea, chlamydia.
Allergic reactions, esophageal-gastric reflux, low humidity of the mucous membranes, and overstrain of the throat muscles can also be causes.
In addition to those listed, factors contributing to the development of these pathological conditions can be:
- cases when the child does not comply with the rules of oral hygiene;
- chronic diseases of the nose;
- inhalation of tobacco smoke when adults regularly smoke nearby;
- tendency to allergic reactions;
- dysfunctions of the immune system;
- prolonged stay in a stuffy room;
- exposure to the respiratory system of chemical irritants.
Possible diseases
When it is painful for a child to swallow, it is often accompanied by numerous concomitant phenomena that give an idea of the general picture of the disease, help to find out its causes and make the correct diagnosis. For example, with pharyngitis in children, nasal congestion and abundant mucous discharge from it are observed. In this case, persistent dry cough may develop.
And sore throat when swallowing in children is a symptom of the following pathologies:
- viral pharyngitis;
- meningitis;
- laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis;
- the presence of a foreign object in the throat;
- mucosal injuries (for example, fish bone);
- pharyngeal abscess (in the form of purulent inflammation);
- acute tonsillitis;
- diseases of teeth and peridental tissues associated with the presence of a foci of infection;
- teething;
- overvoltage of the vocal cords (with prolonged crying);
- neoplasm development;
- thyroid disease.
Let's consider only some of them.
Pain when swallowing with meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammatory pathology of the membranes of the brain or spinal cord of an infectious nature of origin. The symptoms of this disease are a sharp headache, high body temperature, pain when swallowing, impaired consciousness, photosensitivity, etc. The main causes of meningitis are viral, fungal and bacterial infections. Often, such pathologies become a complication of other infectious diseases and in some cases end in the death of the child.
The basis of pathology therapy
The basis for the treatment of meningitis is antiviral, antibacterial or antifungal therapy, which depends mainly on the causative agent of the disease. It is carried out exclusively in a hospital.
Meningitis in children is more common than in adults, and the number of cases increases significantly in the autumn-winter period. This is facilitated by temperature fluctuations, hypothermia of the child's body, limited nutrition (insufficient amount of fresh vegetables and fruits).
It hurts a child to swallow with pharyngitis
During the off-season, it is not surprising that children have a sore throat, nasal congestion and severe cough. And usually with such signs, viral pharyngitis manifests itself. If treatment is not started in time, then a bacterial infection may join the disease and the disease will take a more complex form. In this case, the course of the disease becomes longer and requires the use of antibacterial agents.
As a rule, with viral pharyngitis, the child is painful to swallow, and in addition, this disease is characterized by the following processes: the epithelium of the throat and lymphoid tissue become inflamed when infected with viruses, and if local immunity could not cope with them, the infection multiplies actively. The walls of the throat begin to redden and swell. The glands of the nasopharynx produce transparent mucus, symptoms of a runny nose occur.
What is revealed during the examination?
Symptoms in children of viral pharyngitis should not be ignored. And usually when examining the throat in a child, the following are revealed:
- lymphoid follicles on the back of the throat in the form of tubercles that increase in size, which is a sign of an active immune reaction - the fight against viral agents;
- the mucous epithelium on the arches of the palate and tonsils becomes inflamed, swollen, turns red.
Such changes form the main symptom of pharyngitis - friability of the surface of the posterior pharyngeal wall. Other symptoms of viral pharyngitis:
- sore throat when swallowing;
- tickle;
- fever, which is accompanied by excessive sweating and weakness;
- cough;
- enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes;
- temperature rise.
Infectious mononucleosis
And how to treat infectious mononucleosis in children? With him, the patient also has a sore throat, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, as well as the spleen and liver, to which the change in blood composition joins. This disease is dangerous by the possibility of rupture of the spleen. And it is transmitted from the virus carrier both by airborne droplets and by blood transfusion.
There is no specific treatment for this pathology. As a rule, symptomatic therapy is performed. Therefore, it is possible to treat infectious mononucleosis in children at home under the guidance of a pediatrician and an infectious disease doctor. In severe cases, the patient is hospitalized in the infectious ward.
The basic principles of treatment
Treat a child complaining of a sore throat, following all the recommendations of the doctor. If a bacterial throat infection is detected, antibiotic treatment is recommended. In viral pathologies, the basis of therapy is immunostimulants and antiviral medications. Fungal infections of the larynx are treated with antimycotic medications.
If treatment is carried out with the use of antibiotics, then it is very important to choose a pharmacological drug that is suitable for the child. The most effective medications allowed to children are Flemoklav solutab, which contains clavulanic acid and amoxicillin. These substances destroy bacterial cells, eliminating the inflammatory process. After taking the medicine, it becomes easier for the child to swallow, his temperature drops, the cough disappears.
Amoxiclav, Azithromycin, Summamed, etc. are also used among antibacterial agents. To prevent the child from allergic reactions and swelling of the back of the throat, it is recommended to combine antibiotics with antihistamines - Zirtek, Fenistil. Remedies for the throat for children should be selected by the doctor. Self-medication is unacceptable!
If the child is painful to swallow due to the development of a viral infection in the throat, the following pharmacological agents are used:
- "Isoprinosine";
- Anaferon;
- "Arbidol";
- "Kagocel";
- "Remantadine."
These drugs stop the reproduction of the virus and eliminate the risk of possible complications. After such therapy, the child can swallow food, cough softens, temperature normalizes, inflammation and redness in the throat are eliminated. If the sore throat in a child is provoked by fungal infections, then Nystatin is one of the most effective drugs in this case.
Treatment with Furacilin
Most often, Furacilin is used to relieve sore throat, an antimicrobial drug for internal or external use, which has a pronounced antiseptic and antibacterial effect. It is available in several pharmacological forms: tablets, alcohol and aqueous solutions.
The active substance of this medication is nitrofural, which copes with pathogens and slows down their growth. In the foci of the inflammatory process, it contacts the cell membranes, causing the death of the infection within 3 minutes.
It should be noted that to breed "Furacilin" for gargling for children is necessary only after the patient is five years old. And it gives an effect only with regular use. After the procedure, the effect of the drug persists for about 40 minutes, so experts recommend it every 1-2 hours. The effect of rinsing with "Furacilin" is observed on the 4th day of regular procedures.
Treatment with the Miramistin medication
In addition to Furacilin, Miramistin is used to treat a sore throat in adults and children. Instructions for use define it as a means of a wide spectrum of exposure, with antiseptic properties.
In most cases, it is prescribed during the treatment of ENT organs for the treatment of mucous tonsils and pharynx. The drug has shown high efficiency in a variety of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity. It contains an active element - benzyldimethyl chloride ammonium monohydrate, which can be introduced into the cells of pathogenic bacteria, resulting in their death. The antiseptic does not penetrate the circulatory system and does not affect the internal systems, causing harm to health, therefore it is widely prescribed for children.
Instructions for use with Miramistin indicate that this medicine is an odorless, tasteless, clear liquid that is available in plastic bottles of various volumes. The drug is produced both in the form of solutions and in the form of sprays. The latter are more convenient to use, especially if assigned to a child: they can handle hard-to-reach areas. If the baby can gargle, he may be prescribed Miramistin in the form of a solution.
It is recommended in cases where the child has a sore throat and is painful to swallow, and the following diseases became the cause of this:
- pharyngitis;
- angina;
- laryngitis;
- tonsillitis.
Treatment of sore throat in children with folk methods
If the child is painful to swallow, you can use some folk recipes. Such methods include rinsing, irrigation and lubrication with a variety of solutions, decoctions and infusions, which are prepared at home or purchased in a pharmacy. But it must be remembered that treating a child requires great care and consultation with a pediatrician.
If it is painful for a child to swallow, every adult should know how to help. So, for infections of any origin, a plentiful warm drink is recommended, which helps to eliminate toxins and prevents dehydration. To do this, tea is brewed from linden, cranberries, rose hips, raspberries, sage, currant leaves. In order not to irritate the mucous membrane, such teas should not be overly acidic.
Rinse aid
Parents often ask what to give the child with laryngitis and other diseases of the throat. Most doctors recommend rinsing. The following recipes are used for them:
- A decoction of eucalyptus, which is known for its antiseptic effect. To rinse, you need to boil a teaspoon of crushed eucalyptus leaves in water and gargle with a solution of throat 2 times a day.
- Sage tea. The effectiveness of this medicinal plant is explained by the presence of cineole in it - a natural antiseptic. Rinsing with such an infusion has analgesic, regenerating and hemostatic effects. The infusion is prepared from a tablespoon of raw materials and a glass of water.
- Infusion of calendula flowers perfectly relieves irritation of the throat, disinfects it. To gargle a child, you need to make an infusion of a teaspoon of dry raw materials and 300 ml of water.
- Peppermint decoction for rinsing the throat in children gives an analgesic and easy cooling effect. It is used for moderate discomfort in the throat.
- Plantain infusion is used for tonsillitis in children. For cooking, you need to take 50 g of medicinal raw materials, brew boiling water in a liter. Insist means for about an hour, then strain and use for rinsing.
- Gorilyanka is a very effective medicinal plant when it is painful for a child to swallow. To make a decoction, 15 g of grass and 100 ml of water are needed. The mixture is boiled over low heat, after which it is allowed to infuse.
- Chamomile infusion is a well-known and effective tool for hygiene and treatment of the throat in children. A tablespoon of grass is brewed in boiling water, filtered and rinsed.
Natural honey
If the child does not suffer from allergies, you can use folk remedies based on natural honey. For example, a very popular medicine is an infusion of lemon and honey. For its preparation, squeezed juice of 3 lemons is taken, which is mixed with a glass of honey. When it is painful for a child to swallow, you can let him dissolve a teaspoon of such a mixture every hour. This method of treatment helps by the end of the first day to significantly reduce sore throat and relieve severe pain.
We hope you now know if it is painful for a child to swallow, how to treat it and how to alleviate the symptoms of the disease.