Lymphadenitis in children: causes, symptoms and treatment

Unfortunately, lymphadenitis in children is diagnosed quite often. A similar disease is accompanied by inflammation of one or another lymph node, which leads to a deterioration of well-being and the development of a purulent process. It is extremely important in time to seek medical help, because at later stages of the development of the disease, surgical intervention is necessary.

Lymphadenitis in children: causes

In fact, the cause of inflammation is most often a bacterial infection. Certainly, pathogenic microorganisms can get out of the environment. Nevertheless, in most cases, the source of infection is other foci of chronic inflammation in the body. In particular, lymphadenitis in children occurs against the background of gingivitis, rhinitis, in the presence of carious teeth.

The initial (or serous) stage of the disease is accompanied by the accumulation of serous fluid in the cavities of the lymph nodes. Later on, the dead bodies of lymphocytes and macrophages are retained there. Thus, a purulent process begins, which is much more dangerous for the patients' health. The most severe form of the disease is accompanied by the spread of inflammation to the surrounding tissues. In such cases, we are talking about adenophlegmon.

Lymphadenitis in children: the main symptoms

The disease, as a rule, begins with an increase in body temperature to 38-40 degrees. In this case, the child suffers from symptoms of intoxication of the body: there is the appearance of weakness, dizziness, constant drowsiness, loss of appetite. Lymph nodes in this case greatly increase in size - they can easily be probed under the skin.

In the absence of therapy, the disease becomes purulent. In this case, the tissues around the affected node swell, become more dense and painful. If the purulent process passes to the surrounding areas, the skin in this place reddens and becomes hot to the touch.

In any case, lymphadenitis in children requires medical attention. Absence of treatment is fraught with an independent rupture of the abscess, in which a fistula is formed, and purulent contents spread to neighboring tissues. In some cases, the disease becomes chronic, which is also dangerous.

How to treat lymphadenitis in children?

Typically, a small patient needs round-the-clock surveillance, so treatment is most often done in a hospital setting. Naturally, to begin with, a complete examination of the body is necessary. It is extremely important to detect the source of the infection and eliminate it. For example, you need to get rid of caries in your teeth or cure a cold.

Lymphadenitis in children requires symptomatic therapy. Most often, antibiotics are used here - these can be skin ointments, pills, injectable solutions. Children may be prescribed anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs, which will greatly alleviate the symptoms. Warm compresses on the skin of Vishnevsky ointment will be useful.

In the most severe cases, when the purulent process has spread to neighboring structures, surgical intervention is required. During the operation, the doctor opens the abscess and thoroughly cleanses the tissue of the leftover pus.