Angina is a fairly common disease faced by children. It can begin to manifest itself from the second half of the baby's life. The consequences of such an infection can be very sensitive for the body as a whole (rheumatism of the joints, problems with the heart, etc.). Therefore, the correct diagnosis and treatment of tonsillitis (tonsillitis) in children is of great importance. What are the types of tonsillitis in children? How is diagnosis and treatment carried out? What pathogens cause angina and what is it connected with?
What is angina and its types
Angina – it is an acute form of tonsillitis that affects the tonsils of the palate. It is usually accompanied by a sore throat; swelling of the tonsils, tongue, pharynx and their strong redness; white or yellowish coating on the throat; raising the temperature to 39-40 degrees; enlargement and soreness of the cervical and jaw lymph nodes.
Occurs mainly during the autumn-winter period. However, the likelihood of its occurrence is not excluded in the summer, which can provoke a sharp temperature drop (very cold drinks in the heat, etc.). Children often refuse to eat, as there is pain when swallowing, they are capricious, and there may be manifestations of severe intoxication (vomiting, diarrhea, etc.).
The causes of the disease in children can be caused by such factors:
- Decreased general immunity of the child due to unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, overwork. Tonsils cease to cope with their protective function, which leads to the multiplication of bacteria;
- Transfer of infection from other organs with sinusitis, sinusitis, otitis and even caries;
- Hypothermia (frozen feet, prolonged exposure to frost, too cold drink or food);
- The transmission of the disease by airborne droplets from an already sick person or when using his dishes, etc.
What types of angina exist and their diagnosis?
To correctly determine the treatment of tonsillitis in children, you need to accurately diagnose its type. Anginas are divided into:
- Catarrhal. In this case, the tonsils are affected superficially, moderate intoxication. Inflammation captures mainly the back wall of the pharynx and the soft and hard palate. Symptoms, with proper care, subside in 1-2 days.
- Lacunar. It mainly affects the tonsils in the area of lacunae (hollows). A characteristic feature is a yellowish-white coating on the tonsils themselves and the back palate. When discharged, it does not leave bleeding ulcers. Body temperature rises greatly (perhaps up to 40 degrees), pain in the joints and heart, severe malaise and weakness are possible. In the blood, an increase in leukocytes and ESR is detected.
- Follicular. Basically, the clinical picture is similar in symptoms to lacunar tonsillitis. The difference is that the plaque does not spread over all surfaces of the posterior wall of the sky, but focuses on the tonsils themselves. It is more like not a film, but localized abscesses the size of a pin head.
- Necrotic. It has the same clinical picture as the follicular one, but with more pronounced local manifestations. There may be severe intoxication with confusion and occasional vomiting. The plaque in this case can vary from greenish-yellow to gray. With the departure of the accumulated tubercles of plaque, ulcers can form on the tonsils, which bleed and have characteristic "potholes", reaching up to 1-2 centimeters. The surface of the tonsils becomes heterogeneous, bumpy.
In the treatment of a disease, the main task is to determine the type of pathogen that causes certain symptoms. These can be bacteria, fungal infections or viruses.
Bacterial infection is most often due to the presence of group A streptococcus in the body, they are often observed at the age of 5 years. At an earlier age of up to 3 years, forms of viral tonsillitis, provoked by adenoviruses, coronavirus, herpes virus, etc., become more active. Fungal infection can occur when the flora of the oral cavity is disturbed.
Effective treatment of tonsillitis in a child
When treating a sore throat in a baby, you must strictly adhere to the instructions of a specialist. It can last from 7 to 14 days, depending on the severity of the disease. You need an enhanced warm drinking regime, taking antibiotics or antibacterial drugs (which the doctor prescribes!), gargling and treating with antiseptics. It is possible to prescribe antihistamines and antipyretics, depending on the condition of the small patient.
Most often, angina is treated on an outpatient basis, but if there is a danger of a threat to the life of a child, hospitalization is possible. With inadequate treatment and advanced form, complications of the genitourinary, nervous, cardiovascular and skeletal systems of the body may occur.
After the illness, it is obligatory to make a control collection of a general analysis of urine and blood, an ECG study is possible. Take care of your children, contact a pediatrician for help in time and do not treat a sore throat on your own.
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