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18
Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
About me
Changzhi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Pediatrics, attending physician.
Proficient in diseases
Common pediatric diseases.
Voices
What to do with acute laryngitis in children?
Acute laryngitis in children is considered a pediatric emergency, but the severity of laryngitis varies. Mild cases can be managed at home with symptomatic treatment, while severe cases should seek medical attention promptly. To distinguish whether to visit a hospital or manage at home, first observe the overall condition, including mental status, eating habits, and whether there is persistent or recurrent fever, cyanosis, or difficulty breathing. If these symptoms are present, visit the hospital promptly to receive symptomatic treatment and quickly address the inflammation of the larynx to alleviate the worsening of the disease.
What foods should not be eaten with laryngitis?
If it's just a simple case of laryngitis, depending on the general condition of the child, if it's only hoarseness and the overall symptoms are not severe, there are usually no special restrictions. However, if there is significant laryngeal obstruction, difficulty in swallowing, or difficulty in breathing, a liquid diet should be the main focus. A light diet is easier for the child to accept and helps with a quicker recovery. The general rule is to avoid spicy and irritating foods temporarily, as these can exacerbate swelling in the throat and hinder recovery. This is something that needs attention.
The symptoms of acute laryngitis in children
First and foremost, the most typical symptom is hoarseness of voice, with accompanying symptoms varying depending on the severity of the laryngitis, and symptoms differ. Generally, mild cases may present with cough or fever; a few children might also have gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea. If there is laryngeal obstruction, some signs of hypoxia will appear, such as cyanosis, intermittent stridor, profuse sweating, the three-concavity sign, flaring of the nostrils, listlessness, and even some convulsive symptoms.
How to Prevent Acute Laryngitis in Children
Acute laryngitis in children is generally caused by viral infections, and a smaller portion by bacterial infections. Thus, preventing acute laryngitis in children is essentially about preventing infectious diseases. Firstly, it is advisable to avoid crowded places, especially poorly ventilated public areas. Also, avoid contact with individuals suffering from respiratory infections. Furthermore, enhancing the child's physical constitution, getting more sunlight, and supplementing with vitamin D to boost immune function can reduce the occurrence of acute laryngitis in children.
Is acute laryngitis in children contagious?
The situation varies depending on the cause. If it is acute laryngitis caused by an injury, it is not contagious. However, if it is caused by an infection, such as by the epidemic influenza virus, or by Bordetella pertussis causing acute laryngitis, these infectious diseases cause inflammation of the larynx and are contagious. Or in cases of general bacterial and viral infections, there can be cross-infection, but they are not contagious.
Is acute laryngitis in children contagious?
Is acute laryngitis in children contagious? It depends on the pathogen causing the infection. If the infecting pathogen is contagious, then certainly it can be transmitted. If the infecting pathogen is not infectious, then of course it will not be contagious. Contagious examples include diphtheria, influenza virus, and Coxsackie virus, which can cause transmission, so it is important to isolate as much as possible. If it is a bacterial infection, it is generally not contagious. Therefore, one cannot simply say whether acute laryngitis in children is contagious or not; it depends on what the infection source is for this particular case to determine whether it is contagious or not.
What tests are done for acute laryngitis in children?
Generally speaking, laryngitis is classified as an inflammatory disease. To determine whether it might be a bacterial or viral infection, we typically recommend a complete blood count and C-reactive protein test. Based on the white blood cell count, the classification of white blood cells, and the level of C-reactive protein, we can make an initial judgment about whether the cause is likely viral or bacterial, and then proceed with the corresponding treatment. Additionally, laryngoscopy can also be performed to examine the condition of the laryngeal tissues and other structures for differential diagnosis.
Does acute laryngitis in children cause fever?
Generally speaking, acute laryngitis in children is accompanied by fever, as it is caused by viral or bacterial infection. Inflammatory response: redness, swelling, heat, and pain. Local reaction: In children, local infections can easily lead to systemic symptoms, especially fever, which can vary in intensity but generally remains relatively easy to reduce. It is unlikely to be extremely high fever. If the body temperature exceeds 38 degrees Celsius, or if the child shows poor spirits during fever, oral antipyretics or rectal fever suppositories can be used to alleviate the symptoms of fever.
How to treat acute laryngitis in children
If acute laryngitis in children is caused by a viral infection, it generally involves symptomatic treatment. If there is a fever with a temperature exceeding 38.5 degrees Celsius, or if the child appears unwell, antipyretic treatment can be administered. For persistent coughing, appropriate cough suppressants can be used for relief. Additionally, for hoarseness and throat discomfort, nebulized inhalation can be applied as symptomatic treatment. If there is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are certainly necessary to control the condition. If the acute laryngitis is caused by an injury, local symptomatic treatment can be applied to reduce the damage, followed by waiting for recovery.
Symptoms of acute laryngitis in children
Pediatric acute laryngitis varies in severity and symptoms. Common symptoms include hoarseness, whole lung coughing, and inspiratory breathing difficulties, as well as other respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Additionally, there may be systemic symptoms like fever. Seizures may occur in children under six years old. If the symptoms of laryngeal obstruction in laryngitis are prominent, the affected child may show signs of listlessness or irritability, inspiratory breathing difficulties, flaring nostrils, and a positive three-concavity sign.