Laryngotracheitis is a disease of the larynx and upper part of the trachea caused by viral infections. It is accompanied by hoarseness and a debilitating cough. Adults can completely recover from the disease in 5-10 days. A different course may take laryngotracheitis in children. Treatment should be started as soon as possible due to the physiological features of the structure of the trachea and larynx in a child.
What is the danger of laryngotracheitis in young children?
Increased secretion of the glands of the mucous membranes, weakness of the respiratory muscles, narrow lumen of the trachea and larynx, accumulation of purulent-mucous secretions in the airways - a combination of these factors can cause stenosis of the larynx - difficulty breathing caused by inflammatory swelling of the larynx. If the swelling progresses, the consequences can be sad. Therefore, at the first signs of laryngotracheitis in children, you should consult a doctor.
How to recognize laryngotracheitis?
Symptoms of the disease are quite certain. The disease begins suddenly, more often at night than during the day. The child has shortness of breath, fever, temporary loss of voice or hoarseness. A cough appears, breathing is difficult, sometimes a nasolabial triangle turns blue.
By calling an emergency doctor, parents must alleviate the condition of the child. To do this, do the following.
- Reassure the baby. Anxiety and crying increase the likelihood of developing stenosis.
- If the temperature is above 38 0 C, knock down. It is preferable to use suppositories, since taking the drugs orally can cause vomiting.
- Water the child with a spoon, in small sips of warm alkaline drink: mineral water, milk with butter and a pinch of soda, or water with salt and baking soda.
- Humidify the air in the room. If possible, use a compressor nebulizer with saline to moisten the larynx of the child.
What can not be done:
- apply warming compresses, put mustard plasters;
- water the child with fruit drinks, compotes, juice;
- rub with ointments, which include menthol and eucalyptus;
- increase the temperature in the room above 21 0 C;
- apply preparations in the form of a spray for the nose and throat.
If there is a suspicion of laryngotracheitis in children, treatment should be carried out only by a doctor. Parents should show responsibility in relation to the life and health of the child and in no case engage in independent diagnosis and self-medication.
Treatment
If the doctor has confirmed the diagnosis of laryngotracheitis, in children, treatment includes:
- nebulizer therapy;
- taking antiviral drugs;
- antihistamines, antitussive, mucolytic agents.
In addition, you must follow a diet: exclude spicy, salty foods, cold and hot foods and drinks.
To eliminate the load on the vocal apparatus: to teach a child to communicate in a soundless whisper.
With a favorable course of the disease, the child fully recovers in a week.
Sometimes chronic laryngotracheitis develops in children, the treatment of which should include a set of measures: immunomodulating drugs (Immunal, Likopid, Broncho-Munal), multivitamins, massage, UHF, drug electrophoresis.
Children 2-5 years old, more often boys, are very susceptible to laryngotracheitis. Immunity after a disease is not developed. To prevent the disease, it is necessary to increase the immunity of the child and protect it from SARS.