Angina And Pharyngitis In Children – Being Parents

Some illnesses are common in childhood, for example angina and pharyngitis. These respiratory-type diseases are caused respectively by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the tonsils and pharynx. What to do in case of angina and pharyngitis in children?

When these areas become inflamed, it can cause bothersome symptoms. In some cases, they can be recurrent and severe. The cause is due to various factors as well as the incidence of various microorganisms.

Angina and pharyngitis can cause fever, pain, and inflammation. Sometimes infection of the tonsils leads to the development of tonsillitis, which is common in children. If this becomes a frequent problem, it may be necessary to have the tonsils surgically removed.

Symptoms of tonsillitis and pharyngitis in children

Pharyngitis usually occurs in 90% of cases due to the presence of the virus. The remaining 10% is due to the action of bacteria in the pharynx. The same usually happens with angina, the main trigger of which is group A streptococcus bacteria.

To determine if it is a virus or a bacterium, it is necessary to perform pharyngeal cultures. Once the microorganism that causes these conditions is present, the child begins to suffer from the following symptoms:

• Sore throat. In babies, this prevents them from feeding well and makes them cry frequently. When they are older, they can express their pain more. If we can look at their throat with a little light, we can see that it is red and shiny.

• When it comes to strep throat, the fever, swollen lymph glands and headaches may occur.
• In the case of viral pharyngitis, the presence of nasal and post-nasal discharge and watery mucus is common.
• In severe cases, there may be difficulty in swallowing and sometimes also in breathing.
• More complex conditions include the development of rheumatic fever, toxic shock syndrome, bacteremia, and kidney failure. These complications mainly result from the incidence of strep throat.
• Severe cases can occur when a  retro-pharyngeal  abscess or peritoneal abscess develops. This is particularly the case with severe mononucleosis pharyngitis.

How to act in case of angina and pharyngitis in children?

It is common for angina and pharyngitis to appear with a higher incidence in cold weather. Especially in winter, diseases of the respiratory system proliferate. Additionally, this particular type of condition tends to be quite contagious.

When one of these infections is suspected, the doctor examines the pharynx, lymph nodes, skin, and eyes. To rule out strep throat, a pharyngeal swab is common. Other additional cultures are sometimes necessary, blood tests may also be recommended if gonorrhea or mononucleosis is suspected.

Treatment

The treatment to work before the development of a sore throat and pharyngitis is as follows:

• If it is viral pharyngitis, the appropriate treatment is paracetamol. Ibuprofen is also indicated. These medicines help relieve symptoms such as pain, fever, and general discomfort.

• To help reduce inflammation naturally, gargle lukewarm salt water about six times a day. The preparation is done with a tablespoon of salt for each glass of water.
• The child is advised to eat soft foods, as he may experience irritation and difficulty swallowing.
• If it is a case caused by bacteria, the indication will always be antibiotics. When 48 hours have passed after the onset of infection, the risk of contagion is eliminated.
• Some situations require medical intervention. For example when the sore throat is still there after several days. Likewise, if the fever is very high and persistent, or if there is swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck.
• Children’s passivity and fatigue are red flags. As well as cases of dryness of the skin and mouth. Finally, it is necessary to suspend the treatment and to go urgently to the pediatrician.