Precautions for acute laryngitis in children

We all know that if children are sick when they are young, parents will be very worried, because the disease will torture them and make them lose their spirits. In addition, the incidence rate of acute pharyngitis in children is also relatively high. After getting it, children are likely to feel difficulty breathing and may even cause some lung infections. So what are the precautions for children suffering from acute pharyngitis?

Acute laryngitis in children is common in children aged 6 months to 3 years. It is an acute inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa, mainly in the glottis area. It can be caused by viral or bacterial infection, often secondary to upper respiratory tract infection, and can also be a precursor symptom or complication of certain acute infectious diseases. The main symptoms are hoarseness and a barking cough. In severe cases, it can lead to laryngeal obstruction and be life-threatening. Traditional Chinese medicine calls it "throat wind, laryngeal sound, laryngeal paralysis" etc. Acute laryngitis in children usually has an acute onset and progresses rapidly. If it is not diagnosed and treated promptly and effectively, serious complications and sequelae may occur. Therefore, if you are sick, you should go to the hospital as soon as possible. The reason why the incidence of acute laryngitis in children is the highest at this time is that the weather is relatively cold in this season, and children have poor resistance. They are easily caught cold by the slightest change in the weather, leading to upper respiratory tract infection (commonly known as cold, flu), among which severe cases will cause acute laryngitis.

Cause: Similar to adults, often combined with acute infectious diseases or upper respiratory tract infections.

Symptoms: The onset is often acute, and most children have fever, often accompanied by cough, hoarseness, etc. If inflammation invades the subglottic area, it will cause a croup-like cough, and the symptoms are often aggravated at night. Severe cases may experience laryngeal striae and dyspnea during inspiration, sinking of the suprasternal fossa, supraclavicular fossa, intercostal space and upper abdominal soft tissue during inspiration (clinically known as the three-depression sign), irritability, flaring of the nostrils, cold sweats, and a rapid pulse.

Examination: Direct laryngoscopy (indirect laryngoscopy cannot be performed if the child is uncooperative) can show that the laryngeal mucosa is congested and swollen, especially in the subglottic area, which makes the subglottic area narrower. The mucosal surface is sometimes covered with sticky secretions.

Treatment: General treatment is the same as for acute laryngitis in adults. The main points are:

(1) Give adequate doses of antibiotics systemically.

(2) For those with mild breathing difficulties, hormone preparations should be added, and oxygen inhalation and appropriate amounts of sedatives should be given at the same time. If hormone infusion is ineffective for 1-2 hours, tracheotomy should be considered.

(3) Morphine and atropine-type drugs are prohibited to avoid suppressing breathing and drying out the respiratory mucosa.