Acute laryngitis in children: causes, symptoms, treatment

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa , which can occur in both acute and chronic forms. The first one accompanies the flu, scarlet fever, measles, whooping cough. Children are more likely to develop it. The chronic form occurs as a result of frequent recurrence of the acute. It is considered a professional disease of teachers.

Acute laryngitis in children: etiology

In the emergence of this form of the disease the most important are microbes: streptococcus, staphylococcus, pneumococcus, etc. Not the least role in the etiology is played by viruses, primarily parainfluenza.

Acute laryngitis in children: pathomorphology

Mucous with this form of the disease blushes, swells and becomes impregnated with leukocytes. Microscopic examination of sputum, if it is still released, allows the detection of epithelial cells and single red blood cells. Inflammation, as a rule, spreads over the entire surface of the mucosa of the larynx, but sometimes it concentrates only under the vocal cords or in the region of their posterior part. In some cases, the pathological process captures even the muscles of the larynx. If a child has recently received measles, dysentery, influenza and has a reduced reactivity, then in his mucous tissue can die. This process is largely affected by a deficiency of retinol.

Symptoms of laryngitis in children

Primary disease occurs rarely. 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 the separation of sputum. The voice either coarsens, becomes hoarse, or completely disappears. Inspired dyspnoea or wheezing occurs in children with manifestations of exudative diathesis . Possible pain when swallowing.

Acute laryngitis in children: recognition

It must be remembered that the above mentioned symptoms manifest themselves in many other infectious diseases. Therefore, one should carefully examine the pharynx. Detection of the rash on the mucosa in combination with tearing, conjunctivitis and photophobia is typical of measles. The presence of raids, which protrude above the level of the tonsillar mucosa, is characteristic of diphtheria of throat. Acute laryngitis flows not very hard, and already in 3-5 days recovery comes. Only in some cases it is complicated by a false croup.

Acute laryngitis in children: treatment

With this inflammation of the larynx, it is first necessary to provide relaxation to the vocal cords. At least for five days you need to talk in a whisper, do not inhale the cold or saturated with smoke, dust, smells of medicines air. All this leads to an additional irritation of the larynx. It is also necessary to exclude the intake of too hot, spicy or cold food. Useful abundant warm drink. Since inflammation of the larynx is predominantly a symptom of another infectious disease, antiviral drugs and antibiotics for children with laryngitis are prescribed in the same way as adults, only in a different dosage. The next method of treatment is inhalation. They are carried out up to three times a day with the use of medicinal herbs. To facilitate the expectoration process, the doctor can prescribe the intake of tablets and syrups.