Laryngotracheitis in children: treatment and prevention

Laryngotracheitis is a disease of the larynx and the upper part of the trachea caused by viral infections. Accompanied by the hoarseness of the voice and an exhausting cough. Adults can completely recover from the disease in 5-10 days. Other course can take laryngotracheitis in children. Treatment should be started as soon as possible because of the physiological features of the structure of the trachea and larynx in the child.

What is the risk 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 in the respiratory tract of purulent-mucous discharge - a combination of these factors can cause stenosis of the larynx - difficulty breathing caused by inflammatory edema of the larynx. If the edema progresses, the consequences can be sad. Therefore, at the first signs of laryngotracheitis in children, one should consult a doctor.

How to recognize laryngotracheitis?

Symptoms of the disease are quite certain. The disease begins suddenly, more often at night than in the day. The child has shortness of breath, the temperature rises, there is a temporary loss of voice or hoarseness. There is a cough, difficulty breathing, sometimes there is blueing of the nasolabial triangle.

Calling an emergency doctor, parents should alleviate the condition of the child. To do this, you need to do the following.

• Soothe the child. Anxiety and crying increase the likelihood of developing stenosis.
• If the temperature is above 38 ^° C, knock it off. Preferably use candles, as taking drugs orally may cause vomiting.
• Drink a child with a spoon, small sips of warm alkaline drink: mineral water, milk with oil and a pinch of soda or water with the addition of salt and baking soda.
• Moisten the air in the room. If possible, use a compressor nebulizer with saline solution to moisturize the baby's larynx.

What can not be done:

• Apply warming compresses, put mustard plasters;
• To water the child with fruit drinks, compotes, juice;
• Rub with ointments, which include menthol and eucalyptus;
• Raise the temperature in the room above 21 ⁰ C;
• Use drugs in the form of a spray for the nose and throat.

If there is a suspicion of laryngotracheitis in children, treatment should be done only by a doctor. Parents should show responsibility in relation to the life and health of the child and in no case should engage in independent diagnosis and self-treatment.

Treatment

If the doctor has confirmed the diagnosis of "laryngotracheitis," the treatment includes:

• Nebulizer therapy;
• Taking antiviral drugs;
• Antihistamine, antitussive, mucolic drugs.

In addition, you must follow a diet: eliminate spicy, salty foods, cold and hot food and drinks.

Exclude the load on the voice device: teach the child to communicate in a silent whisper.

With a favorable course of illness, the child completely recovers within a week.

Sometimes chronic laryngotracheitis develops in children, whose treatment should include a set of measures: immunomodulating drugs (Immunal, Likopid, Broncho-Munal), multivitamins, massage, UHF, drug electrophoresis.

Laryngotracheitis is very susceptible to children 2-5 years of age, more often boys. Immunity after the transferred disease is not produced. For the prevention of the disease it is necessary to increase the immunity of the child and protect it from ARVI.