It is very difficult to diagnose some diseases in newborns. The reason for this is his inability to tell his parents that he has pain. Quite often, infants have respiratory infections. They cause a sore and reddened throat in children. However, pain should be diagnosed before starting treatment. How to understand that a baby has a sore throat? The answer to this question will be his behavior, loss of appetite and crying for no apparent reason.
How to determine if there is a disease
Sore throat occurs due to viruses and bacteria that cause inflammation and swelling on the mucous membrane. Fungal diseases are sometimes the cause of malaise. Very often, parents cannot understand the cause of the baby's concern. This leads to a loss of time and untimely start of treatment. Indirect causes of a sore throat in a baby include:
- The baby is crying during feeding. This is especially noticeable if the baby is on artificial feeding. The milk mixture irritates the mucous membranes and intensifies the pain.
- An increase in the amount of saliva. This is due to malfunctioning of the ciliated epithelium under the influence of viruses. The baby cannot swallow saliva normally, as this causes severe pain.
- Tearfulness. A sore throat leads to frequent crying and a bad mood. Especially the intensification of pain is observed when trying to swallow saliva.
- The baby does not sleep well at night. If the child does fall asleep, then the dream is short and restless.
If the baby has such symptoms, then it is worth examining his throat immediately. This can be done using a special spatula or spoon with a flat handle.
External manifestations of the disease
How to understand that a baby has a sore throat? To confirm the diagnosis, an examination of the laryngeal mucosa is performed. The existence of inflammatory processes can be reported by such signs:
- Swelling. Any inflammation can not do without severe swelling of the soft tissues near the site of infection.
- Redness of tonsils and adjacent tissues. Due to the large number of viruses and bacteria, regional blood circulation is activated.
- Swollen lymph nodes located on the neck, near the ears and under the jaw.
- Enlarged pharyngeal tonsils. Can be seen even with a normal examination of the throat.
These symptoms are not specific. Therefore, it is very difficult for a small child to distinguish a respiratory disease from a sore throat. If the parents saw that the crumbs have a red throat, then it must be urgently shown to the doctor.
How to see a baby's throat
To understand that the malaise is caused precisely by a sore throat, you must carefully examine the baby's nasopharynx. To do this, parents must follow a few recommendations:
- Mom or dad wash their hands well with soap and wipe them dry.
- The child is placed on one hand, and the fingers of the other hand slightly press on the corners of the lips. Usually this is enough for the baby to open his mouth wide.
- You can inspect using a spoon with a flat handle. Cutlery must be pre-treated with boiling water. Easier to do inspection together. One adult holds the baby in his arms, the other lifts his upper lip and gently sticks the handle of a spoon. To fully see the throat, press on the root of the tongue.
For a quality inspection, you need a lot of light. You can do this during the day by the window or in the evening next to a bright lamp. A good assistant in this procedure will be a small flashlight that illuminates the throat.
Additional symptoms
The presence of a respiratory disease can be determined by the concomitant symptoms, since during their development, bacteria and viruses release toxic substances that cause intoxication of the body. Therefore, it is observed:
- fever in the baby, and the red throat can only begin to manifest;
- chills;
- coughing;
- labored breathing;
- wheezing in the lungs;
- runny nose.
Parents need to constantly remember that the baby can not talk about malaise, headache and weakness. The only solution is to carefully study the condition of the child and the characteristic signs. However, the same symptom may indicate the presence of different diseases. Parents should not self-medicate, it is better to seek the advice of a specialist.
Causes of Sore Throat
Pain in the throat can be a symptom of various pathologies. Therefore, it is very difficult for parents to understand what exactly caused the disease. Even a pediatrician can not always determine the disease only by symptoms, so laboratory tests are often prescribed. The most common diseases of the nasopharynx include:
- colds - most often occur due to weakened immunity and the development of pathogenic microflora of the nasopharynx;
- ARVI - signs in infants begin with the appearance of a viral infection in the nasopharynx, most often with respiratory tract damage;
- rhinitis - due to a virus or bacteria, the nasal mucosa becomes inflamed and involves the pharynx in this process;
- tonsillitis - due to bacteria, inflammation of the tonsils occurs, which can cause deterioration of the cardiovascular system;
- diphtheria - as a rule, occurs in unvaccinated children, externally manifests itself as the formation of dense white films on the tonsils;
- scarlet fever - combines the symptoms of a sore throat and rash throughout the body;
- teething - may be accompanied by a reddening of the throat in the baby;
- hyperimia is not an infectious disease, but a consequence of the influence of an irritating factor (food, breast milk, toy) on the pharyngeal mucosa.
To determine the effective treatment, it is necessary to find out the cause of ill health. To do this, immediately contact a pediatrician.
First aid for sore throat in a newborn
In the early stages, sore throats can be treated with gentle methods. To do this, carry out a range of activities:
- It is recommended to arrange a child bed rest. Even if the disease proceeds in a simple form, it is better to avoid difficulties and to heal in a calm atmosphere.
- All norms must be observed in the room: optimal humidity, temperature, sufficient fresh air and lack of dust.
- The best treatment is regular rinsing. This procedure must be performed at least 6-8 times a day.
- The child can be given light antibacterial drugs.
- Observe proper nutrition. At this time, the baby needs as many useful trace elements and vitamins as possible. It is also worth excluding products that irritate the nasopharynx.
- In such diseases, inhalation is very useful. So, many modern parents use a nebulizer for these purposes.
It is important to remember that if the throat hurts in the baby, the treatment should be gentle, antibiotics should not be taken without need.
Where to start medication
Every person knows that almost any ailment must be treated with a medication. The appointment of drugs should be entrusted only to the pediatrician, and self-medication is very dangerous for such a small child.
To get rid of viruses and bacteria, inhalations, sprays, lozenges, rinses and nose drops are used. How to treat the throat of infants up to 4 months? For treatment, a baby's dummy is lubricated with an antiseptic ("Chlorophyllipt", "Lugol"). The most popular drug in this case is the Miramistin spray. The instructions for use indicate that it copes with severe forms of otitis media, tonsillitis.
If the newborn is not accustomed to a dummy, then for treatment the throat is lubricated with a bandage wound on a finger and moistened with a medicine.
For children older than 8 months, the pediatrician can prescribe a gargle spray ("Orasept", "Hexoral"). You should not use such drugs on your own, as they are contraindicated in children under 2 years of age.
For a child aged 10-12 months, the doctor may prescribe resorption tablets (Lysac, Doctor Mom).
Nasal passages and sinuses are washed with saline or saline preparations (Aquamaris, Nosol). To reduce the common cold, vasoconstrictor drops can be used (Nazivin, Rinazolin). In case of acute sinusitis, Miramistin Spray can be effective. The instructions for use indicate that you should not use the product for children at any age without special need.
How effective is the drug "Tantum Verde"
There are times when advertising encourages people to buy not only popular foods, but also medicines. It is very good if these drugs are really effective and have the least amount of side effects.
Can I give Tantum Verde a baby from the throat? This question worries many young mothers. So, according to the instructions for use, a few years ago this drug could be used by children from the first days of life. However, after re-registering the drug, the age threshold has increased, and you can use the drug from 3 years. Although the composition has not changed.
Experts recommend not taking risks. Before treating a newborn, you should consult a doctor. If necessary, the drug can be prescribed in a specific dosage.
Many parents prefer this remedy, as it has a pleasant taste and a powerful anti-inflammatory effect.
Antibiotics are the only solution.
If the disease in the baby has acquired a serious form, then the pediatrician prescribes the use of antibiotics. The parent must understand that the organization of the reception of this tool is a very serious event.
If parents continue to wonder: “How to understand that a baby has a sore throat?”, Then the use of antibiotics is strictly prohibited. First you need to verify the diagnosis with a doctor and get a list of recommended medications. You should not engage in self-treatment of crumbs.
Basically, 4 types of antibiotics can be prescribed for the treatment of the nasopharynx:
- fluoroquinolones - the most powerful drugs used to treat advanced situations (Avelox, Levofloxacin);
- cephalosporins - less strong, are used to treat long-running diseases (Zinnat, Aksetin);
- macrolides - universal remedies that effectively treat any form of the disease (Sumamed, Azithromycin);
- penicillins - often prescribed and effective in the treatment of diseases of the nasopharynx (Augmentin, Amoxicillin).
Starting treatment with antibiotics, it is necessary to carefully study the instructions and recommendations of the attending physician. The course should not exceed 7-14 days.
Treatment with folk remedies
Parents should focus on medication. However, some alternative methods will help to quickly get rid of the disease and strengthen the child's immunity. The main tools in the fight against sore throat in a newborn:
- Vitamin tea. For its preparation, ordinary natural tea is used with the addition of honey, dried fruits or herbal decoction.
- Aloe juice. To prepare the solution, cut off the leaf of the plant and squeeze the juice into a container. Then it is mixed with water in a ratio of 1: 4. This drug lubricates the throat several times a day.
- Herbal Inhalation. 30 g of St. John's wort, yarrow, calendula and a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil are poured into the container. All this pours 500 ml of hot water. Breathe the steam for 10 minutes.
It is worth noting that some methods are not applicable for too young children, and are also contraindicated for those who are allergic to one or another component.
Inhalation nebulizer
To completely get rid of inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx, parents can purchase a special device for steam inhalation. The nebulizer is very effective and safe.
As solutions for inhalation, not only medications (Tonsilgon, Furacilin) are used, but also alcohol tinctures of propolis or calendula.
Procedures with a nebulizer must be carried out 2 times a day.
Prevention
If the baby is constantly suffering from respiratory diseases, then urgent preventive measures are necessary. To begin with, parents should normalize their sleep, wakefulness, proper nutrition, breastfeeding, and walks in the fresh air. If there are no prohibitions from doctors, then it is possible to conduct hardening of the child and therapeutic exercises.
Conclusion
If the parents could not answer the question: “How to understand that the baby has a sore throat?”, Then they should immediately consult a doctor. After all, if you do not pay attention to the ailment in time, the disease can go into acute form, and then more serious treatment will be required.