Instructions for taking care of children, preventing acute sore throats that are easy to encounter during the change of seasons

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When the weather changes season with cold wind, children are prone to acute nasopharyngitis with symptoms of sore throat, sniffling, runny nose... Acute pharyngitis is common at all ages, if not treated promptly, it will change to become chronic, even leaving complications.

1. What is acute pharyngitis?

Acute nasopharyngitis is a fairly common disease in both adults and children, with typical symptoms such as:
High fever 39 - 40 degrees Celsius; Hot, dry throat, thirst, pain when swallowing, talking and coughing; Nasal congestion, sniffling and runny nose; Hoarseness, dry cough, or swollen lymph nodes in the neck; Inflammation of the tonsils, the surface of the tonsils has mucus in... In general, acute pharyngitis usually occurs within 3-4 days before remission times depending on the patient's resistance. In particular, acute pharyngitis in children and acute pharyngitis in the elderly may last longer due to weak resistance. Without active treatment and proper care, the disease can easily lead to a number of dangerous complications, such as: sinusitis, chronic or acute otitis media (due to Candida), bronchitis and laryngitis. management, progressive rheumatic heart disease and acute glomerulonephritis (due to group A streptococcal S.pyogenes infection)...

2. Prevention of acute nasopharyngitis

During the season change, the principle of treatment and prevention of acute pharyngitis is to improve symptoms as well as strengthen resistance every day, helping children fight infection or recover quickly.
2.1. Taking medicine If acute pharyngitis is suspected, the patient should be examined by an ENT specialist as soon as possible. Doctors will mainly prescribe some drugs to focus on treating symptoms, such as:
Antipyretics: Usually use Paracetamol when the patient has a high fever ≥ 38.5 °C, and combined with rest, Eat nutritious food and drink plenty of water.
Western or Eastern medicine: Use specific Eastern or Western medicine as indicated if there is a lot of cough. In addition, some simple cough treatment tips parents can refer to is to give children honey, steamed roses, ginger, or lemon.
Antibiotics: Only used when the disease has worsened with symptoms of a lot of cough, high fever, green or yellow sputum. Do not arbitrarily use antibiotics because they have little effect on the virus that causes the disease, moreover, it also makes the treatment process more difficult, expensive and prolonged.
Nasal drops with saline: Apply isotonic saline nasal drops when there are signs of clear runny nose, cough, poor appetite. Do not arbitrarily drop the nose with a vasoconstrictor solution for a long time, especially for acute pharyngitis in children.
The key point in the treatment of acute pharyngitis in adults and children is to follow the doctor's instructions, buy the right medicine and take the right dose. Patients are not allowed to automatically buy drugs to treat themselves and their children without consulting a specialist to avoid many dangerous complications, especially drug resistance, which makes treatment difficult. future.
2.2. Rehydration of fluids and electrolytes For febrile patients, rehydrate with oresol solution (ORS) for fluids and electrolytes as directed by your doctor or as indicated on the packaging.
Both adults and children can drink ORS orange type 5.63g/pack. How to use is to mix 1 sachet into 200ml of boiled water to cool with the usual dosage as follows:
Infants: 50ml/time x 2-3 times/day;

Children from 2 to 6 years old: 100ml/time x 2 -3 times/day; Children from 6 to 12 years old: 150ml/time x 2-3 times; Adults: Use as needed. 2.3. Nutrition When suffering from acute pharyngitis, children need to eat more nutrients, some notes for parents in adjusting the child's diet include:
Use soft, pureed foods, or liquid, easy to swallow; Drink more juices, such as orange, lemon, watermelon,...; Do not drink cold water, iced water,...; Consume more green vegetables and fruits; 2.4. Maintain personal hygiene Besides eating and resting, the sick person also needs to maintain personal hygiene by:
Bathing with warm water in an airtight room, then having to dry thoroughly and then put on clean clothes; Keep the body warm, especially the neck, chest and soles of the feet; Brush teeth after eating, before and after sleeping to clean the throat - mouth; Gargle with physiological saline 0.09% NaCl daily. 2.5. Living environment In addition to viral infections, risk factors such as changing weather and polluted living environment can also predispose children to acute nasopharyngitis. Therefore, when taking care of children, parents should note:
Wear a dust mask when going out. Keep the house cool and avoid humidity. Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke and pipe tobacco. Avoid fans and air conditioners. Limit visit In crowded places, if sick, it is necessary to isolate, not to let contact spread. For adults, it is necessary to exercise gently and limit staying up late to strengthen the resistance of the immune system.
Acute nasopharyngitis should be treated properly from the first days at a medical facility or hospital with ENT specialist, avoiding waiting until symptoms have progressed for many days before conducting an examination. In particular, parents with young children with acute sore throat should not arbitrarily buy home treatment drugs to prevent dangerous complications. It is necessary to find out what the cause of acute pharyngitis is to provide the safest, most thorough and appropriate treatment for acute pharyngitis in both children and adults.

When a child shows signs of acute nasopharyngitis, parents can take the child to see a doctor at Vinmec International General Hospital - a prestigious medical facility in the treatment of respiratory diseases - for diagnosis and treatment. effective treatment. Vinmec has a team of highly qualified and experienced medical doctors who are continuously trained and learn from advanced medical backgrounds in the world; Modern medical equipment and professional medical services will ensure the best quality of treatment.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.