The health of a baby is very fragile, but it is during this period that the body begins to develop immunity to the most common diseases. Among them are viral and bacterial infections, which are most often accompanied by redness of the throat. Since the immune system must get used to fighting pathogens, many diseases cannot be treated with medications. Which, of course, is very confusing for parents. What treatment options for infants can be taken?
A red and sore throat is a common symptom of a cold. If a baby is sick, it is necessary to urgently treat it.
How to examine a baby's throat and make a diagnosis?
A red throat in a baby can indicate various problems. First of all, it is necessary to assess the nature of the redness. You should look at the throat, because even a person without medical education can confirm the presence of the disease (we recommend reading: how to properly look at a child’s throat at home?). A healthy throat in both an adult and a child will be a soft pink color. Redness of the mucous membrane or at least a slight change in color indicates that the child, if not in pain, is unpleasant, and the disease needs to be treated.
A sick newborn sleeps poorly and eats less. Swallowing becomes more frequent. The baby cries more often, stronger and shriller than usual, and calms down only when feeding. To check the throat, you need to arm yourself with an inspection stick or cutlery with a flat handle. Otherwise, you won’t be able to see anything, because the child will cover the mucous membrane with his tongue.
Sometimes you can understand the nature of the disease and treat the child at home, but a number of symptoms require an immediate call to the doctor:
- refusal to breastfeed when the throat hurts so much that the child cannot eat;
- there is a lot of plaque on the mucous membrane or tonsils;
- the child chokes with a strong cough;
- strong wheezing is heard in the lungs;
- after the throat, the arms, lower back, and legs begin to ache;
- symptoms do not subside within a week.
If, in addition to a sore throat, your child has other symptoms, such as coughing, then you should immediately consult a doctor.
Pain in the back and legs indicates severe intoxication of the body, and wheezing can warn of pneumonia. Consulting a doctor would be appropriate even for mild cold symptoms. It is still better to hospitalize an infant immediately.
What does the definition of “loose throat” mean? causes and symptoms
The definition of “loose throat” is not a scientific term and is not used in medical practice. By and large, this is a common language, however, many doctors use it to explain in simple words to parents the clinical picture of what is happening.
The reasons for the appearance of looseness in the throat can be different and often not dangerous, but sometimes, on the contrary, the neglect of the process of microbial reproduction leads to the chronic form of such diseases:
- tonsillitis;
- pharyngitis;
- laryngitis;
- bronchitis.
How to treat a sore throat in a baby?
Young parents should remember that a viral infection is accompanied by a runny nose, red sore throat and fever, while a bacterial infection usually affects only the throat. ARVI can be cured at home, but bacterial infections (in particular, sore throat) most often require consultation with a doctor and hospitalization.
A viral infection is usually suppressed with medications, but the main medicine is immunity. The body produces a protein (interferon) and fights itself. Any auxiliary medications for an infant under 1 month can only be prescribed by a doctor and only for acute symptoms. For mild forms of bacterial infection, it is enough to create comfortable conditions for the child.
When a red throat is accompanied by a runny nose, the first thing to do is clear your nose. This measure will eliminate microbes and prevent their proliferation. It is necessary to remove not only thick, but also dry accumulations. It is impossible to treat inflammation in an infant with sprays, so you need to pour in the solution with a pipette.
A runny nose is the first thing that needs to be treated when an infant has a cold, since if the nose is stuffy, treating the throat will be difficult
The air in the bedroom should have an average temperature of 18 to 20ºС and humidity within 50-70%. You can humidify the air with a spray bottle, hang wet towels, and wash the floor. In cold weather, it is impossible to humidify the air with an open window. Cold air from the street will only dry out the indoor air. In winter, humidity is regulated by the temperature of the battery.
It is not recommended to cause sweating with warm clothing. The best cure for infection is water. It is necessary to give the newborn warm water and decoctions. Raisin decoction is suitable for babies. Compote and tea are recommended for older children. The liquid moisturizes dry mucous membranes and relieves pain.
There is no need to stop breastfeeding, even if your baby is less enthusiastic than usual. However, you cannot force him. Weight loss during illness is quite natural and will be regained within a few days of recovery. Breastfeeding will help calm your baby. Mom’s presence in itself is healing.
Sick children especially need healthy nutrition during treatment, so breastfeeding should not be stopped.
Medication recommendations
It is possible to treat a red throat in an infant under 1 month of age only with a limited number of medications. For severe pain, you can crush Paracetamol or Ibuprofen and give it to the child in small quantities. You can lubricate the pacifier with syrup or a solution diluted with water (Chlorophyllipt, Lugol or Miramistin). It is allowed to give the baby chamomile tea (0.5 teaspoon with warm water).
Bacterial infections are accompanied by more complex symptoms and more often lead to complications. You may need antibiotics, which are taken only under medical supervision (ceftriaxone).
Preparations for oral administration
To successfully treat throat diseases, local treatment is combined with oral medications. If the disease is bacterial in nature, then the following antibiotics are prescribed:
- Amoxiclav. Available in the form of a suspension. This makes the process of using the substance easier. Successfully fights infection and quickly relieves painful symptoms in a child.
- Sumamed. Long-acting drug. It is prescribed when there is a risk of complications or when the disease becomes chronic.
- Hexoral. The spray has an antibacterial effect. Prescribed from 4 years of age. You need to do 3-4 inhalations per day.
We suggest you familiarize yourself with Brown coating on the tongue after antibiotics.
For viral etiology of the disease, the following drugs are used:
- Imudon. Accepted from 3 years. Due to the presence of destroyed pathological microorganisms in the composition, it stimulates local immunity. The drug also activates the production of phagocytes and interferon by the child’s body.
- Viferon. Convenient form of release in the form of suppositories and immunomodulatory and antiviral effects. Indicated for the treatment of children from infancy.
To maintain the body's defenses, vitamins are prescribed in combination with basic medications. Probiotics are prescribed to maintain normal intestinal function, since antibiotics destroy microflora.
We treat a red throat in a child 1-6 months old
Comfortable, humid and cool conditions help the patient at any age. Dry air dries out mucus and germs spread faster. In the right conditions and with proper care, the disease recedes within 3-5 days. A red throat caused by a viral infection does not need to be treated for the reason that there are no medications that would act on the virus. It is enough to relieve the symptoms and wait for recovery. The body itself fights, and by bringing down a mild fever or poisoning the baby with chemicals, parents only make things worse.
Methods for treating red throat in a baby 6-10 months old
At this age, children with red throat, in addition to all the above measures to relieve symptoms, are prescribed medications to strengthen the immune system. This is primarily Viferon and its analogues. A sore throat must be lubricated with antiseptics (the same Miramistin or Iodinol). This is done with the help of mother’s finger and a bandage (gauze). If the child reacts very poorly to such a procedure, you can use a spray, but spray only on the cheek and very carefully. Do not direct the stream into the throat or tonsils.
Chamomile tea is good for colds and sore throats, but it can be drunk by a child older than 6 months.
After 6 months you can drink chamomile tea. The tablets prescribed by the doctor must be crushed and care must be taken to ensure that the baby does not choke. If inflammation is accompanied by a cough, you can give your child plant-based syrups. If a 9-month-old baby is prescribed inhalations, they are made with mineral water or mucolytics are added.
Hot water with raspberry jam, even in small quantities, causes children to sweat and lose heat. Before giving this drink to an 8-10 month old baby, you must first give him plain water.
Recommendations for choosing medications
The following will help lower your temperature and relieve pain:
- suspension "Nurofen for children",
- licorice root syrup.
Antibiotics for this age include:
- “Summamed”,
- “Suprax.”
You can use Cefekon D suppositories to lower the temperature and suppress infection. A sore throat can be relieved by crushed Lisobact or Tonsilotren. For cough - Bronchicum syrup.
Medicines in tablets must be crushed and mixed with water. In this case, the child will easily swallow the drug without irritating the sore throat.
How not to harm a child with treatment?
To make the disease go away faster, it is necessary to provide the patient with comfortable bed rest in a ventilated room. You need to monitor your baby more closely, limit activity, and avoid active games. Nutrition should be regulated. Many viral diseases, especially sore throat, do not tolerate overeating. Patients of any age cannot be forced to eat. It is necessary to exclude irritating foods. Adults should not smoke near children. Passive smoking negatively affects a sore throat.
Treatment must be complete and regular. You cannot interrupt the course of antibiotics, even if the baby feels better. After such a course it is necessary to take pribiotics. You should gargle as many times and in such quantities as your doctor advises. It is extremely important not to organize physical procedures (compresses, inhalation, rinsing the feet in hot water) at high temperatures. The child needs to be covered with a blanket, not overheated, and a flow of fresh air should be established.
When starting to take a new drug, you should use half the dose to check the reaction (especially important with allergies). If the condition does not improve within 3-7 days, you should call a doctor. Infants and children under 2 years of age need treatment in a hospital for sore throat and other infections accompanied by high fever. Abscesses and phlegmon, symptoms of intoxication, persistent temperature, convulsions and lethargy require immediate hospitalization.
Pediatrician of the 2nd category, allergist-immunologist, graduated from the Belarusian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Health and Social Development. Read more »
Prevention and prognosis
The prognosis depends on which treatment method was chosen. If we are talking about loose tonsils in a child, the prognosis is usually positive. Conservative treatment allows you to buy time until the child “outgrows” tonsillitis. At about 14-15 years of age, the tonsils begin to decrease in size, so tonsillitis often recedes, provided that the source of chronic infection is regularly sanitized and the immune system is strengthened.
In adults, the prognosis is not so favorable. Frequent exacerbations of tonsillitis (more than 4 times a year) are an indication for tonsil removal. In some cases, several cryodestruction or laser ablation procedures are enough to get rid of the problem, but doctors often insist on complete removal of the tonsils.
Prevention of the disease leading to loose tonsils is as follows.
Timely treatment of any infectious diseases is the key to good health. Any illness requires attention, because even a common runny nose can lead to complications. As you know, advanced sinusitis provokes inflammation of the tonsils. Careful oral hygiene. Any bacteria present in the mouth settle on the tonsils
The fewer there are, the lower the risk of developing tonsil diseases, so it is important to visit the dentist regularly, avoid caries and brush your teeth thoroughly. A strong immune system will protect the tonsils from disease. It is recommended to eat properly and avoid hypothermia and stress.
If you cannot avoid the disease, you should visit a doctor in a timely manner and not self-medicate.
