Laryngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx, which can occur both in acute and in chronic form. The first accompanies flu, scarlet fever, measles, whooping cough. In children, it is she who develops more often.
The chronic form occurs as a result of frequent recurrence of acute. It is considered a professional disease of teachers.
Acute laryngitis in children: etiology
In the occurrence of this form of the disease, microbes are of primary importance: streptococcus, staphylococcus, pneumococcus, etc. Viruses, primarily parainfluenza, play an important role in the etiology.
Acute laryngitis in children: pathomorphology
The mucous membrane with this form of the disease blushes, swells and is saturated with leukocytes. Microscopic examination of sputum, if it is still secreted, allows you to detect epithelial cells and single red blood cells. Inflammation, as a rule, spreads over the entire surface of the mucous membrane of the larynx, but sometimes it concentrates only under the vocal cords or in the area of their posterior part. In some cases, the pathological process captures even the muscles of the larynx. If a child has recently been ill with measles, dysentery, flu and has reduced reactivity, then tissue death can occur in his mucosa. Retinol deficiency significantly affects this process.
Symptoms of laryngitis in children
Initially, the disease rarely occurs.
Acute laryngitis mainly joins tracheitis, rhinopharyngitis, rhinitis. The disease begins with a rise in temperature and perspiration, scratching in the throat. Then a barking dry cough appears, which is soon followed by sputum removal. The voice either becomes coarse, becomes hoarse, or completely disappears. In children with manifestations of
exudative diathesis, inspiratory dyspnea or wheezing is observed. Possible pain when swallowing.
Acute laryngitis in children: recognition
It must be remembered that the above symptoms are manifested in many other infectious diseases. Therefore, you should carefully examine the pharynx. The detection of a rash on the mucosa in combination with tearing, conjunctivitis and photophobia is typical for measles.
The presence of plaques that protrude above the level of the mucous membrane of the tonsils is characteristic of pharyngeal diphtheria. Acute laryngitis is not very difficult, and after 3-5 days, recovery begins. Only in some cases is it complicated by
false croup.Acute laryngitis in children: treatment
With such inflammation of the larynx, first of all, it is necessary to provide rest to the vocal cords. At least for five days, you need to speak in a whisper, do not inhale the air that is cold or saturated with smoke, dust, smells of medicines. All this leads to additional irritation of the larynx. It is also necessary to exclude the intake of too hot, spicy or cold food. Useful plentiful warm drink. Since inflammation of the larynx is predominantly a symptom of another infectious disease, antiviral drugs and antibiotics for laryngitis in children are prescribed in the same way as adults, only in a different dosage. The next treatment method is inhalation. They are carried out up to three times a day using medicinal herbs. To facilitate the process of expectoration, the doctor may prescribe taking pills and syrups.