Children frequently get pharyngitis, which can be uncomfortable and concerning for parents. It can be difficult to diagnose and provide the best care for a child who has an inflamed and sore throat. Renowned pediatrician Dr. Komarovsky provides information on this illness, describing the causes of pharyngitis and how it impacts kids.
In particular, when the child is too young to articulate the pain, parents frequently find it difficult to identify the symptoms. In addition to providing helpful guidance on how to manage the condition at home, Dr. Komarovsky highlights the significance of recognizing early signs. His strategy is centered on easy-to-implement techniques that reduce the child’s discomfort.
With his advice, parents can learn more about when to seek medical attention for their child and how to help them get well. By reducing the anxiety associated with pharyngitis, Dr. Komarovsky’s advice can help families deal with this common childhood illness.
| Key Points | Dr. Komarovsky"s Advice |
| What is pharyngitis? | An inflammation of the throat, often caused by viruses. |
| Symptoms | Sore throat, fever, coughing, red throat, swollen glands. |
| Treatment approach | Focus on hydration, avoiding irritants, and rest. Antibiotics are usually unnecessary. |
| When to seek help | If high fever, difficulty breathing, or prolonged symptoms occur, visit a doctor. |
| Prevention tips | Regular hand washing, avoiding contact with sick individuals, and maintaining clean air at home. |
According to Dr. Komarovsky, children’s pharyngitis is a common condition that is frequently brought on by viral infections, which can cause discomfort and a sore throat. He stresses that although it can hurt, it’s usually not serious and goes away without the need for antibiotics. Treatment involves giving the child plenty of water, treating the throat with saline solutions, and giving the right medication to control symptoms like fever. Parents should prioritize comfort and care rather than rushing to administer antibiotics unless absolutely necessary, suggests Dr. Komarovsky.
- About the disease
- Symptoms
- Treatment
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About the disease
An inflammation of the lymphoid and mucous tissues of the throat is called pharyngitis. It is already nasopharyngitis (also known as nasopharyngitis) if the inflammatory process spreads and engulfs the nasopharynx. The pharynx can become inflamed for several reasons:
- viral infection, caused by influenza viruses, adenoviruses;
- bacterial infection with streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, fungi of the Candida family;
- allergy that develops in the larynx – due to inhalation of poisonous, toxic substances, dust.
Both acute and chronic pharyngitis are possible. Acute symptoms appear right after a negative event or infection, whereas chronic symptoms develop over time as a result of ongoing, recurrent, and occasionally unfavorable circumstances that plague the child for a considerable amount of time. Occasionally, chronic pharyngitis is a separate illness that is neither viral nor allergic, and it is not connected in any way to the flu, ARVI, or allergic reaction symptoms. However, these "independent" cases of pharyngitis can experience full episodes of flare-ups and remissions.
Pharyngitis is a common illness that affects children more frequently than parents may realize, according to Evgeny Komarovsky. Although some children receive a diagnosis three to four times a year, this is no longer the norm. The too-dry air that a child breathes in from their parents’ habit of keeping all the windows closed and the apartment heated can frequently cause inflammation of the throat and nasopharynx.
Symptoms
Most cases of viral pharyngitis are acute. It manifests with all of the symptoms of ARVI or the flu, including runny nose, headaches, and fever up to 38.0 degrees, because it develops against the backdrop of these illnesses. The child will complain of pain or sore throat, making swallowing difficult for him, when they have such pharyngitis. A breastfed infant who has no complaints will start to cry, refuse food, and show signs of worry.
A child’s persistent, especially nighttime, dry cough is another telltale sign of pharyngitis. The neck’s lymph nodes frequently become inflamed. This is not surprising, according to Evgeny Komarovsky, because the lymph leaves the inflamed larynx through these nodes. Large red granules or formations can occasionally be observed on the tonsils or laryngeal walls. The condition that results in damage to the lymphoid tissue is called granular pharyngitis.
Most of the time, acute allergic pharyngitis also occurs shortly after inhaling allergens or chemicals. It doesn’t cause ARVI symptoms, but it might cause a runny nose. Rarely does the temperature rise slightly, reaching 37.0–37.5 degrees Celsius. Moreover, there is severe pain when swallowing and a dry, ineffective cough.
A temperature increase above 38.5 degrees and excruciating throat pain are signs of severe bacterial pharyngitis. Visual examination may reveal purulent formations in the tonsils and larynx, which are frequently mistaken for angina.
For the benefit of the parents, the primary distinction between acute tonsillitis (angina) and acute pharyngitis is that the former affects the tonsils, while the latter has a more diffuse inflammatory process that extends to the laryngeal walls. When a child has tonsillitis, they usually complain of pain when they swallow, and when they have pharyngitis, they will undoubtedly have a dry cough in addition to other illness-specific symptoms.
Chronic pharyngitis is less severe and occasionally only manifests during flare-ups. A child with a chronic form of the disease frequently experiences a dry cough, sore throats, and feelings of dryness in the mouth and larynx, but their temperature does not go up (at least not until the next exacerbation). An exacerbation will resemble typical acute pharyngitis, like two peas in a pod.
Treatment
The treatment strategy selected for a child is determined by the type of illness they have – allergic, bacterial, or viral. It should be highlighted that even a highly skilled physician will not be able to determine the answer to this crucial question based solely on a visual assessment of the child and the evaluation of all associated symptoms. Naturally, the doctor will diagnose the infant with pharyngitis, but only two straightforward tests can determine the cause of the illness: a clinical blood test and a sensitivity to antibiotics and a pharyngeal stroke.
According to Evgeny Komarovsky, there would be no normal, responsible, or conscious way to treat pharyngitis without these studies. All three kinds of illnesses are, after all, treated with entirely different protocols and medications.
After a doctor examines your throat and confirms that the illness is present, you shouldn’t blindly follow their advice and start taking antibiotics or other antiviral medications right away. One should request a test referral from such a physician, which should specify the best course of action.
Since children are more likely than adults to contract viral infections, viral pharyngitis is more common than other types. Roughly 85 percent of cases of acute pharyngitis have a viral cause. Antibiotics cannot be used to treat this type of pharyngitis, according to Evgeny Komarovsky. Antimicrobial agents raise the chance of developing a bacterial complication by 7-8 times, but they are completely ineffective against viruses.
Effective antiviral medications are typically injected intravenously and used in hospital settings for infectious diseases. They are very difficult to tolerate and have a lot of side effects. Neither homeopathic remedies nor other antiviral tablets and syrups that are freely available in Russian pharmacies and promoted on radio and television have the ability to affect viruses or immunity.
Drinking lots of warm liquids, adequately humidifying the air in the apartment where the sick child is staying, and rinsing the mucous membranes of the nose and nasopharynx with a saline solution (1 teaspoon salt to one liter of water) are the only effective treatments for viral pharyngitis. Use the same saline solution to rinse the child’s irritated throat, if their age permits. Locally, lozenges with an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect are used, along with an antiseptic (like "Miramistin") for the sore throat.
Komarovsky cautions against using "Lugol" and advises against cauterizing the tonsils and larynx with iodine even more, as these procedures can cause more harm to the child than pharyngitis, which is not treated or smeared.
A more thorough approach will be necessary for allergic pharyngitis. It is strictly forbidden to treat this condition with antibiotics. Depending on the allergen (assuming its type can be promptly determined), the doctor may prescribe antihistamines. Local antiseptics (apart from iodine) and salt rinses for the throat and nose are pertinent.
Furthermore, everything that can gather dust in the space must be taken out, including books, soft toys, and carpets. The child’s room is frequently wet cleaned, has ventilation, and is humidified to a level of 50–70%.
According to Evgeny Komarovsky, the decision regarding the necessity of using antibiotics in cases of bacterial pharyngitis is made on an individual basis. Antimicrobial agents are not always necessary. When they are required, they typically use medications in the penicillin class.
Up until he starts taking antibiotics, the child is contagious. If the child does not have a fever the day after, he can usually go to kindergarten or school. Resting in bed is not required.
If a child’s streptococcal pharyngitis is confirmed by laboratory testing, then all family members should take throat swabs that are identical. All members of the household should receive antibiotic treatment if needed in order to prevent the baby from becoming infected again.
Children frequently get pharyngitis, which can worry parents. Dr. Komarovsky does stress that, with the right care and attention, it is usually manageable.
Keeping your child well-hydrated, getting plenty of rest, and practicing good hygiene can all hasten the healing process. Furthermore, because viral infections frequently result in pharyngitis, Dr. Komarovsky suggests delaying the use of antibiotics until absolutely necessary.
It’s crucial to seek additional advice from a healthcare provider if your child exhibits severe symptoms or if their condition doesn’t get better. The speed at which your child heals can be greatly influenced by early intervention and close observation.
