Angina in a child can be determined quite easily. The main signs of the disease are red throat, swelling of the tonsils, the appearance of pain when swallowing.
Most often, the disease begins acutely, the child rises in temperature, he becomes lethargic, refuses to eat, submandibular lymph nodes in him are enlarged. Suspecting that the child has contracted angina, you should immediately call a doctor, as improper treatment can lead to very serious consequences, including serious complications such as chronic tonsillitis, encephalitis, pyelonephritis, etc.
The causes of angina in children can be different. As a rule, in most cases, they provoke the development of streptococcus or staphylococcus disease, it happens that adenoviruses can become the cause of the development of the disease. Where does the infection come from? It is possible that these pathogenic bacteria were inactive on the mucous membranes of the child, and the fact that the child froze on a walk or ate ice cream provoked their growth. In addition, the infection can also be obtained from the outside, since angina is transmitted by airborne droplets.
In medicine, take to distinguish between several types of angina. Catarrhal sore throat in a child is characterized by a local inflammatory process, involving only the mucous membrane of the tonsils. In this case, the child feels a burning sensation in the throat, which then turns into a painful sensation. With this type of tonsillitis, the temperature rarely rises above 37.5 degrees.
Lacunar angina in a child is characterized by a lesion of the tonsils in the lacunae region. With this kind of disease, purulent plaque can be found on the surface of the tonsils. The child’s temperature rises sharply, he feels weakness, pain in the joints and muscles.
Follicular tonsillitis in children is manifested by the presence of numerous purulent follicles on the tonsils. With this type of tonsillitis, there is a high temperature and severe sore throat. The necrotic type of tonsillitis is the most severe form, tonsils are very inflamed, covered with plaque, severe fever is noted, often confusion.
Only a doctor can determine the type of tonsillitis and select the necessary treatment, since the used therapeutic agents may vary depending on the type of disease, its stage and severity of the course. In addition, sick children are prescribed a study of mucus from the nasopharynx and pharynx to exclude the possibility of getting diphtheria. Severe forms of angina rarely can be cured without the use of antibiotics, and improper therapy and self-medication can provoke the development of complications. Before the doctor arrives, the child can only be given an antipyretic (if the temperature exceeds 38.5). All other medicines will need to be used according to the scheme that the doctor will prescribe.
Can folk remedies be used to treat tonsillitis in children? Of course, it is possible, but only as an addition to the course that will be prescribed by the doctor. It’s very useful for patients to drink a lot, give children tea with raspberries or lemon, compotes, table mineral water. Drinks should be warm, but not hot. It is often useful to gargle a sore throat, using beetroot juice, a decoction of marshmallow root or chamomile flowers. You can prepare a rinse by stirring half a teaspoon of soda and salt in a glass of warm water and adding three drops of five percent tincture of iodine there.
How long does a sore throat last for a child? With proper treatment, the child recovers, usually in a week. If treatment was started inopportune, then the disease may be delayed.
It must be remembered that angina is a contagious disease, so the patient must be isolated from other children. It is especially important to protect babies from communicating with sick children, as in young children, tonsillitis, as a rule, is difficult.