Stenosing laryngotracheitis in a child and its

Laryngotracheitis is considered a viral illness of the upper respiratory tract, usually associated with a common cold. This disease simultaneously affects both the pharynx and the trachea. Inflammatory process arises as a result of weakening of immunity of the child after the transferred catarrhal disease.

The most common laryngotracheitis in a child occurs at an early age from six months to 7 years, and most often they are sick boys.

What precedes the disease

There may be several reasons, but the most common is the spread of infection that has occurred after even a slight hypothermia. It can be caused in most cases by a parainfluenza virus of the first type. In addition, a group A virus , adenovirus, rhinovirus, enterovirus or measles virus.

How to identify the disease

Laryngotracheitis in a child is most often manifested on the third or fourth day of acute respiratory viral infection. Symptoms include shortness of breath and noisy breathing, barking coughing restless , nails and lips begin to turn blue a little, there is no soreness in the larynx and mucus is released from the nose.

Note that the narrowest place in the airways is the vocal cords. And as soon as some kind of edema begins, caused by infection, it narrows the airways so severely that it blocks access to air. This is where the stenosing laryngotracheitis begins, which is also called a false croup or acute obstructive laryngotracheitis, during which the laryngeal lumen narrows. Therefore, parents need to figure out when urgent measures are important in laryngotracheitis, including calling an ambulance, and when the child can be cured at home.

How to treat laryngotracheitis

Laryngotracheitis in a child is treated in various ways. So, in case of a disease without stenosis it is enough to conduct inhalations several times a day by a nebulizer - a special inhaler on ultrasound. If it is not available, it is possible to carry out so-called steam inhalations, but so as not to get burns. Also, heat-alkaline inhalations, for example, with warm mineral water "Borjomi" or with hot soda solution (per liter of water - one teaspoon of soda) do not interfere.

It is important for parents to remember that complication of laryngotracheitis can be only if at the beginning of the illness measures for intensive treatment of the baby were not taken. The carelessness of adults who have decided that this is just a cold, and it will pass by itself, can turn into very unpleasant consequences for the child.

However, I want to draw attention to the fact that if the laryngotracheitis in a child occurs with an increased temperature, the inhalation should be contraindicated. First, you can give the child any antipyretic, and only then proceed to inhalation.

Useful for the baby will still be foot baths for 15-20 minutes in 35-40 degree warm water. Also do not forget about using as much liquid as possible - water, juice, mors, compote from dried fruits or warm milk with Borjomi, to prevent stenosis.

In the case of a favorable course of the disease, the child will recover by the 3rd-5th day.