Laryngitis
Inflammation of the larynx and vocal cords. Pathogen: bacterial or viral infection, allergen. Than dangerous: leads to edema and narrowing of the larynx, which can cause choking.
The first symptoms are:
- dryness and perspiration in the throat;
- difficulty swallowing;
- hoarseness;
- dry, barking cough;
- shortness of breath, wheezing.
Note: the symptoms of laryngitis tend to increase by night and peaked in the morning.
How it looks:
- the throat is red;
- in the depths of the pharynx are visible rough dark red lice - inflamed vocal cords.
As it is treated. The main thing is to prevent an attack of suffocation. To do this, use:
- warm alkaline drink (milk with soda, heated mineral water);
- antihistamines;
- alkaline inhalations (tablespoon of soda per liter of boiling water).
- hot foot baths; The room is regularly ventilated.
Angina
Acute infectious disease with defeat of palatine tonsils. Pathogen: most often - streptococcus bacteria, but it happens that the angina is caused by a virus (for example, herpes). Than it is dangerous: antibodies fighting with streptococci affect the body's own tissues, which can lead to serious diseases:
- rheumatism;
- pyelonephritis;
- myocarditis.
The first symptoms are:
- sharp pain in the throat;
- a sharp increase in temperature;
- weakness, apathy;
- lack of appetite;
- increase and soreness of cervical, submandibular and occipital lymph nodes;
- vomiting.
Important: children under three years of age with angina often complain of abdominal pain, and not in the throat.
How it looks:
- tonsils red, enlarged;
- on the surface of the tonsils - whitish or yellowish coating, gray, white or yellow thin, translucent films.
Please note: the symptoms of purulent sore throat are similar to the symptoms of some other serious diseases, for example diphtheria. In order not to be mistaken with a diagnosis, it is necessary to make a bacterial culture from the pharynx and nose. How to be treated: strict bed rest until complete recovery; antibiotic therapy; warm drink; rinsing with antiseptic solutions and sprays. Our advice: to relieve the condition of the baby and speed up the recovery will help curd compresses. Smear the cottage cheese on a rag, attach to the neck, cover with compress paper and fix with a tubular bandage. In the morning, rinse with warm water.
Scarlet fever
Acute infectious disease; symptoms of angina combined with a small rash. If you notice that one of the tonsils is much larger than the other, this may indicate a purulent abscess. Urgently call the doctor. Pathogen: beta-hemolytic streptococcus group A. Than dangerous: penetrating through the oral mucosa, the infection spreads throughout the body, affecting the heart, kidneys, central nervous system. Sometimes the rash with scarlet fever lasts a very short time (just a few hours), which can make it difficult to diagnose.
The first symptoms are:
- a sore throat;
- headache; lethargy, drowsiness; chills;
- a sharp increase in temperature (up to 38-40 degrees).
How it looks:
- Tonsils blush and grow larger, as in angina;
- Lymph nodes thick, enlarged;
- the tongue is dry at first, covered with a thick brownish coating, becomes brightly crimson for 3-4 days, with smooth shiny papillae;
- the body is covered with a shallow bright pink rash. Note: the contrast between the flaming cheeks and the pale nasolabial triangle is a characteristic pattern in scarlet fever.
How it is treated:
- strict bed rest until complete recovery;
- sparing diet;
- antibiotic therapy;
- taking antihistamines;
- saturation of the body with vitamins and minerals (monitor the quality of the complexes).
Diphtheria
Acute infectious disease with toxic damage to the body. The causative agent: the wand of Defler. Dangerous. If you do not start treatment on time, severe complications develop: croup, choking, disruption of the heart and central nervous system.
The first symptoms are:
- sore throat when swallowing (not very strong);
- low-grade fever; general weakness;
- low blood pressure; uneven heart rate; lack of appetite; barking cough; hoarseness - shortness of breath.
How it looks:
- the mucous membrane is red, swollen; the pharyngeal walls and tonsils are covered with characteristic dense grayish or yellowish films, with the removal of which bleeding wounds remain;
- tonsils due to edema almost close; the neck becomes puffy.
How to be treated: to confirm the diagnosis, the child takes a swab from the throat. As soon as Detleur's wand is found:
- the child is sent to a hospital (treatment at home is unacceptable);
- the patient's condition is monitored with the help of a cardiac monitor or an electrocardiograph;
- immediately after confirmation of the diagnosis, antitoxic serum is introduced;
- medical treatment is conducted.