A 1 year old child has symptoms of ARVI. Symptoms and treatment of ARVI in children of different ages

The most common causes of ARVI are parainfluenza viruses, respiratory syncytial infection, rhinovirus and adenovirus infections. They are transmitted by airborne droplets. In everyday life, ARVI is often called a cold.

Important

In the first three years of life, babies experience an average of 6-8 colds per year. Children attending kindergarten get sick more often than children at home. However, by school, kindergarteners begin to catch colds less often, but for those who did not attend kindergarten, the “heyday” of ARVI occurs in the elementary grades.

The reason for this is the “virginity” of the child’s immune system. To learn to resist a particular cold infection, the immune system must first “get acquainted” with it. “Acquaintance” occurs only through illness, so frequent colds are inevitable, but over the years their number will decrease. A child aged 3 to 4 years normally gets sick no more than 6 times a year, aged 4 to 5 years - no more than 5 times a year, after 5 years - no more than 4 times a year.

If acute respiratory viral infections are observed more often, this is a reason to contact an immunologist. The same as in cases where the number of acute respiratory viral infections is within the acceptable range, but the disease causes complications.

Keep in mind

More than 200 viruses can cause ARVI. Depending on what exactly the child’s body is “acquainted with,” the manifestations of the disease may differ. But almost always observed:

• Runny nose. The nose may start pouring out of the nose already on the first day, but it happens that at first there is congestion, and discharge appears later.
• Sore throat, the severity of which depends on what virus caused the disease.
• A cough, which, like a runny nose, can appear immediately or after a couple of days.
• Increased body temperature. In some cases - to low-grade levels (37-37.5 °C), in some - immediately to high levels.
• General malaise, headache.

Treatment

Don't be afraid of ARVI. If a child does not have chronic diseases (for example, asthma), in most cases his body is able to cope with a viral infection on its own. You just need to alleviate the baby’s condition by eliminating particularly unpleasant symptoms. For this purpose, medications are used that reduce nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, etc. As well as inhalations and gargling.

For ARVI with high fever, bed rest is required.

By the way

Often, in a clinic, a child is diagnosed not with ARVI, but with acute respiratory disease, that is, an acute respiratory disease. The fact is that cough, runny nose, malaise, and fever can be caused by the effect on the body not only of viruses, but also of certain bacteria. To accurately identify the pathogen, you need to conduct an analysis, and spending time on this is not always advisable.

If the analysis has not been done, the doctor uses a more general term - “disease” instead of a narrower one - “viral infection”. The principles of treating acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections are similar, and the doctor will definitely tell you how to act.

Memo to parents

Should I give my child an antipyretic drug for ARVI or not? It depends on his condition and how much the temperature has risen.

If it is below 39 °C, and the child tolerates it normally, there is no need to take an antipyretic. Give your immune system a chance to fight the infection, because that’s what the temperature rises for.

If the temperature is above 39 °C, an antipyretic is given.

If the temperature is below 39 °C, but the child is very worried, cries, has seizures (or has had them before), complains of severe pain in the joints, headache, and does not show interest in his surroundings, an antipyretic should be given and a doctor should be called.

At temperatures above 40.4 °C, it is necessary to call an ambulance, after giving an antipyretic drug.

Prevention

There are no vaccines against ARVI, because there are a lot of viruses and they constantly mutate. Therefore, prevention here has two directions:

Avoiding contact with the virus. During the cold season, it is better to avoid visiting mass events and places where there are large crowds of people with your child.

Strengthening the body so that the immune system can adequately fight the virus that has entered the body and ARVI is easier and does not cause complications. As a rule, most children do not require additional medications for this. But the child must get enough sleep, go for walks, and toughen up. The house where he lives must be clean and the air temperature must be maintained at a normal temperature. The baby must eat properly, receiving all the necessary vitamins.

SOS!

Influenza is an acute inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract, which is caused by the virus of the same name.

Influenza is classified as an acute respiratory viral infection, but in this group it stands apart because it is more severe than other respiratory viral infections, more often causes serious complications, and in some cases is life-threatening.

Need to know

While with other acute respiratory viral infections symptoms may appear gradually, and the disease develops smoothly, the onset of influenza is always acute. The temperature rises sharply to high numbers, headaches, muscle pain, pain in the eyeballs appear, and general malaise is very pronounced. Often parents can name the exact hour when the child fell ill.

If such symptoms appear, you should not self-medicate - you need to call a doctor. Today there are a number of drugs that are highly effective against influenza. The earlier they are taken, the easier the course of the disease and the lower the risk of complications. So timely diagnosis is very important.

Protection

The best method of preventing influenza is vaccination. The vaccination can be given to a child starting from 6 months. Children in our country are vaccinated free of charge.

The vaccine is not completely effective; it reduces the incidence of the disease by about 80%. In particular, a child may get sick because he has encountered a virus of a different strain than the one in the vaccine. But in this case, the disease will be milder than in an unvaccinated child. In general, the incidence of influenza during an epidemic in vaccinated children is 2.5-4 times lower than in unvaccinated children.

Drugs

Remember, self-medication is life-threatening; consult a doctor for advice on the use of any medications.

Acute respiratory viral infections with the abbreviation ARVI, known to everyone, is a diagnosis that can be seen much more often than any other on the pages of a child’s medical record. Due to the ease of transmission of the pathogens of these infections by airborne droplets and household contact, children of preschool and primary school age attending kindergartens, schools or clubs are most susceptible to them. The younger the child, the more often he gets sick, which is due to the insufficient degree of development of his acquired immunity.

Content:

Pathogens of ARVI

The causative agents of ARVI are DNA or RNA-containing viruses, which, when they enter the body, cause inflammatory processes on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract or in the lymph nodes and surrounding tissues. In total, there are more than 200 serotypes of such viruses, belonging to the following groups:

• influenza viruses;
• parainfluenza virus;
• adenoviruses;
• reoviruses;
• rhinoviruses;
• coronaviruses;
• respiratory scintial (RS) viruses and others.

They are highly contagious and are easily transmitted from a sick child or adult to a healthy one by airborne droplets and, less commonly, by household contact (through toys, dishes, towels, door handles). The peak incidence of ARVI occurs from mid-autumn to mid-spring. Factors that increase the likelihood of infection include hypothermia, a general decrease in immunity, pathologies of perinatal development, allergies, chronic diseases, poor ecology and others.

The pathogenesis of ARVI develops after pathogens penetrate the epithelial cells of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat and begin their active reproduction, which leads to the appearance of characteristic pathological changes and an increase in clinical symptoms. Each pathogen affects to a greater extent only certain areas of the respiratory tract to which it has a tropism. Thus, the parainfluenza virus causes an inflammatory process in the larynx, adenovirus - in the nasopharynx, lymphoid formations and conjunctiva of the eyes, respiratory scintial virus - in the bronchi, rhinovirus - in the nasal cavity.

Symptoms and diagnosis of ARVI

ARVI is characterized by acute development with a pronounced clinical picture. At the initial stage of the disease, the child experiences general intoxication, which manifests itself in the form of lethargy, drowsiness, headache, aches and muscle weakness, nausea, and loss of appetite. Possible increase in body temperature to subfebrile levels and higher, fever, chills.

The main target of viruses that cause ARVI are the mucous membranes of the upper and lower respiratory tract (nose, nasopharynx, throat, trachea, bronchi). However, depending on the nature of the specific pathogen, other organs may be affected: heart, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, liver, brain.

The disease occurs in the form of rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, nasopharyngitis, tracheitis, conjunctivitis. The classic symptoms of ARVI in children, resulting from inflammation and swelling of the mucous membranes, include:

• sneezing;
• runny nose, which on the first day most often consists of copious clear discharge of a liquid consistency;
• tearing eyes;
• irritation, sore throat and sore throat;

Influenza is characterized by the most severe course of all acute respiratory viral infections. It affects the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, mainly the trachea, nervous system and blood vessels. The disease begins with high fever (39–40°C), chills, severe headache, weakness, nausea, redness of the child's face, and minor hemorrhages in the sclera are possible.

In acute respiratory viral infections, the pathogen that caused the disease is usually not identified, since this does not fundamentally change the treatment tactics. Diagnostics includes a conversation with parents, collecting anamnesis, assessing the clinical picture, taking general blood and urine tests, examining the patient’s throat and nose, and auscultating the lungs with a stethoscope. Sometimes a smear test taken from the inflamed mucous membrane of the throat or nose is prescribed. Of great importance for the correct diagnosis is taking into account the general epidemiological situation in the region where the child lives at the time of the disease.

Features of ARVI in babies under one year old

Breastfed babies under one year of age are least susceptible to ARVI. This is due to the fact that their body during this period is still under reliable protection of maternal immunity. In addition, they practically never appear in crowded places in enclosed spaces. But if they have older brothers or sisters who attend kindergartens or schools, then the risk of infection increases significantly.

Parents can suspect ARVI in an infant based on the following signs:

• sleep disturbance;
• decreased appetite and refusal to suckle at the breast or bottle;
• excessive moodiness and anxiety;
• tearfulness;
• redness of the eyes;
• difficulty breathing, shortness of breath;
• bowel movements, abdominal pain.

If such symptoms appear in a child under one year of age, parents should immediately call a doctor at home.

Treatment

Treatment of ARVI is usually carried out at home under the supervision of a pediatrician. The exceptions are severe and complicated forms of the disease, newborns and premature babies, children with chronic concomitant pathologies of the respiratory system, kidneys, nervous and cardiovascular systems.

When treating ARVI, symptomatic therapy is carried out, that is, all measures and medications taken are aimed only at alleviating the discomforting symptoms of the disease. For mild to moderate severity, medications intended to destroy the pathogen itself are not used, since the immune system will cope with it itself. A significant improvement in a child’s condition with ARVI occurs within 3–4 days, and complete recovery within 7–10 days.

Antiviral drugs

Antiviral agents existing on the market today can be divided into two groups:

1. Highly specific drugs act only on a specific virus, which must first be accurately identified (arbidol, rimantadine, ribavirin, Tamiflu).
2. Drugs whose action is aimed at overall activation of the immune system. For example, the innovative antiviral drug Ingavirin, which has a unique mechanism of action and a wide spectrum of antiviral activity against influenza and ARVI pathogens. Timely use of the drug in the first two days of the disease can alleviate unpleasant symptoms and reduce the viral load on the body. This reduces intoxication and reduces the risk of complications. This also includes aflubin, proteflazid, viburkol, anaferon and interferon preparations - viferon, kipferon, laferobion.

As a rule, they are not prescribed for the treatment of children or are prescribed only if the disease is severe.

Antipyretics

It is necessary to reduce the temperature with the help of antipyretics only if it exceeds 38.5°C. For this, depending on the age of the patient, tablets, syrups, suppositories based on ibuprofen or paracetamol are used. If the child’s temperature cannot be brought down with the help of antipyretics, parents need to call an ambulance. Prolonged high fever, especially in children, is fraught with the rapid development of dehydration, which poses a serious health hazard.

Symptom relief

The following can be used to relieve the symptoms of ARVI:

• saline solutions for rinsing the nose (Aquamaris, Humer, No-Salt, Salin, Quix);
• vasoconstrictor drops to relieve nasal congestion and restore nasal breathing (nazivin, nazol, naphthyzin, farmazolin, otrivin);
• to eliminate a sore throat - lysobact tablets, septefril, strepsils lozenges, Doctor Mom, tantum verde spray, hexoral, ingalipt), rinsing with furatsilin, infusion of chamomile, eucalyptus or sage;
• antihistamines (diazolin, suprastin, erius, loratadine, fenistil) to reduce swelling of the mucous membranes and nasal congestion;
• expectorants and mucolytics for coughs (broncholitin, mucaltin, ambroxol, ACC, syrups based on extracts of medicinal plants Doctor Mom, eucabal, gedelix, herbion).

General rules

Of paramount importance during ARVI in a child are the correct drinking regime, humidity level and temperature in the room where the patient is located, which can be ensured as follows:

• frequently ventilate the room where the sick person is located;
• maintain the temperature in the apartment or house at a level of no more than 20°C;
• ensure that the humidity in the room is in the range from 55 to 70%; if it is lower, then use special humidifiers to increase it or simply place wet towels or sheets on the radiators;
• carry out wet cleaning daily;
• Do not use heating devices in the room that strongly dry out the air;
• Ensure your child drinks plenty of fluids, often offer him warm teas, compotes, fruit drinks, rehydration solutions, or simply boiled or filtered water.

These measures will help prevent mucus from thickening and accumulating in the airways and ensure they are effectively cleared. In many cases, this is enough to defeat the disease without exposing the body to not very useful medications, which pediatrician E.O. Komarovsky draws the attention of parents to.

If in the first days of the disease the child’s health is very poor, then he is recommended to limit physical activity and observe bed rest.

If a child has no appetite, you should not try to force feed him; food should be provided on demand. At the same time, foods rich in carbohydrates are more useful, since hard-to-digest fats and proteins will create additional stress on the body, which is actively engaged in fighting the pathogen, and can slow down the healing process. If a child has a good appetite, in order to reduce the load on the gastrointestinal tract, a split-meal regimen is recommended: you need to eat in small portions, but often.

Video: Recommendations of pediatrician E. O. Komarovsky for the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children

Complications

The most common complication of ARVI in children is the addition of a bacterial infection in the respiratory system. Activation of pathogenic bacterial microflora becomes possible due to a decrease in the protective functions of mucous membranes affected by the virus. As a result, bacterial sinusitis, sinusitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and otitis develop. In addition, there are complications from the cardiovascular, nervous, genitourinary, endocrine and digestive systems, which manifest themselves in the form of:

• neuritis;
• radiculoneuritis;
• myocarditis;
• pancreatitis;
• encephalopathy;
• cystitis;
• jade.

The most dangerous complication is meningitis and meningoencephalitis.

Prevention

Prevention of ARVI in children involves avoiding contact with sick people, as well as crowded places during seasonal outbreaks of the disease. It is of great importance to harden the child and take measures to strengthen his immunity, which is realized through:

• proper daily routine;
• good sleep;
• balanced nutrition;
• maintaining optimal temperature and humidity in the apartment;
• playing sports;
• compliance with personal hygiene rules;
• daily walks in the fresh air.

To prevent influenza, you can get vaccinated. Due to the numerous strains of the influenza virus and its tendency to mutate, the vaccine does not guarantee 100% that the child will not get sick, but its use has some advantages. For example, the incidence rate decreases by 2.5–4 times compared to unvaccinated children. Even if a vaccinated child does get the flu, his illness is mild.

Video: Doctor Komarovsky about what to drink during ARVI

Acute respiratory diseases (ARI), known as colds, account for more than half of all childhood illnesses. Two thirds of visits to the pediatrician are related to colds. This is due, firstly, to the infectious nature of acute respiratory infections, which can quickly spread in a community, and secondly, to the diversity of disease-causing microorganisms: most acute respiratory infections are caused by viruses. Acute respiratory infections caused by viruses are called acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI). These include influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus, enterovirus and other infections. The incidence of ARVI is constantly high; in winter, children get sick more often. Almost every year there is an increase in the incidence of influenza, which is called an epidemic.

Real epidemics occur periodically after 3-4 years, when a type of pathogen appears to which most people have no immunity.

For the vast majority of patients, only severe forms of the disease and complications that easily occur in children (pneumonia) pose a danger to life. The most severe of all acute respiratory viral infections is influenza. ARVI and usually influenza end in recovery.

Causes of ARVI

Get infected children from patients who secrete viruses throughout the entire illness (7-10 days) and virus carriers.

Transmitted by ARVI by airborne droplets: droplets of sputum containing viruses, when a patient sneezes and coughs, infect the surrounding air, as well as objects and things. Infection is facilitated by close contact with the patient, poor ventilation of the room, and violations of sanitary and hygienic standards.

Susceptibility to ARVI and influenza is high in children of all ages, including newborns. Children in nurseries, kindergartens, and schools get sick especially often. Frequent recurrent illnesses occur due to the fact that immunity after an acute respiratory viral infection is developed only against one virus, that is, it corresponds to each pathogen. Infection with another type of virus leads to a new disease, even if the child has not yet recovered from the previous one. In children of the first year of life, colds are caused with equal frequency by influenza viruses, parainfluenza viruses, and adenoviruses. There is an opinion that newborns and children in the first two to three months of life, especially those who are breastfed, are less susceptible to colds due to the presence of immune protection transmitted by the mother. However, it is necessary to take into account that hereditary and congenital respiratory diseases, unfavorable environmental factors, insufficient child care, violation of feeding regime and rules, and the presence of colds in family members increase the risk of a child’s illness.

Symptoms of ARVI in a child

Manifestations of acute respiratory infections in children of the first year of life, regardless of the type of virus, have common features. As a rule, health worsens: anxiety appears, the child cries more often, he loses interest in his surroundings, sleep is disturbed, appetite disappears - all this is due to the development of viral intoxication, swelling of the mucous membrane and nasal congestion, “stuffed” ears and painful sensations in them. The child's temperature rises, often quite significantly (above 38-38.5). Against this background, lethargy, adynamia, and possible seizures may develop. Frequent signs of ARVI are rapid breathing (shortness of breath), runny nose, sore throat and chest, sore throat, cough. All these manifestations of colds are due to the fact that viruses penetrate the cells lining the respiratory tract, causing irritation of the mucous membrane and the development of inflammation in different parts of the respiratory tract.

In young children, acute respiratory viral infections, especially influenza, are more severe and more often cause severe complications. There is a very high risk of developing inflammation of the ear (otitis media), maxillary sinuses (sinusitis), inflammation of the bronchi and lungs (bronchitis, pneumonia). These diseases, in turn, determine the formation of a contingent of so-called frequently ill children.

Treatment of ARVI in children

Patients with mild and moderate forms of ARVI are treated at home. Indications for hospitalization are:

1. Severe forms of ARVI, the presence of complications (pneumonia, croup - regardless of the degree of stenosis, etc.).
2. Children under 1 year of age and from 1 to 3 years.
3. Epidemiological and material conditions: from closed children's groups, unfavorable living conditions, not provided with care, etc.

In principle, children are supposed to get sick at an early age, so they train their immune system to fight harmful environmental influences. But you should worry about a decrease in immunity when the doctor has classified your child in the group of “frequently and long-term ill children.” The term “frequently ill children” is used to describe children who frequently suffer from acute respiratory diseases. Currently, this category includes children suffering from acute respiratory infections:

> under 1 year of age more than 4 times a year,
> aged 1 to 5 years - 5-6 per year,
> at an older age - more than 4 diseases per year

The term “long-term ill children” is used for children whose colds last more than 2-3 weeks with each episode of illness.

In order to prevent such complications, it is important to begin proper treatment as early as possible, when the first signs of a cold appear. However, parents' independent choice of over-the-counter drugs is a big tactical mistake. Only a doctor can correctly assess the child’s condition, make a diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment, taking into account the characteristics of infancy, the course of the disease and the effects of recommended medications.

Every mother needs to remember that an increase in temperature, a change in the child’s behavior, refusal to eat, or the appearance of signs of a cold are reasons to consult a doctor. You can call a doctor at home by calling the reception desk; on weekends you can always call the doctor on duty. If the child’s temperature is higher than 38.5-39.0, and does not go down with the usual children’s antipyretics, or shortness of breath, noisy, difficult breathing occurs, the child does not respond to stimuli, or convulsions appear - do not hesitate, urgently call an ambulance.

After consulting with a doctor, you can begin treating your child with safe and at the same time quite effective measures. These include the use of plant substances (herbal medicines). Pharmacies offer a wide selection of simple herbal preparations made from the herb thermopsis and thyme; ipecac roots, licorice, marshmallow; pine, linden buds; eucalyptus leaves, coltsfoot, plantain, etc. Modern combined herbal preparations are very popular: bronchicum (cough syrup, balm, inhalate, bath extract), “Doctor Theiss” (cough syrup, balm), “Doctor MOM” (cough syrup, ointment), Tussamag (balm , cough syrup) and others. Combined preparations, which include simple plant substances, are more effective, have optimal healing properties and are well tolerated. They can be used in the form of rubbing (rubbing), baths, inhalations, and also taken orally in the form of cough syrup. Dosage forms such as decoctions, drops, elixirs, lozenges, lozenges, capsules are not prescribed to young children.

Modern immunomodulator drugs have proven themselves well in the treatment and prevention of colds in children. They significantly activate the child’s immune response to infection, due to which the duration of the disease is reduced by half on average, the cold itself is noticeably milder, and the risk of complications is reduced to zero. Immunomodulators are effective, as a rule, if you start taking them from the first signs of acute respiratory infections, no later than the 3rd day of illness.

Treatment of ARVI at home

In addition to the use of medications, there are a number of measures that can alleviate the condition of a sick child. Every mother should be able to carry out this or that procedure at home. First of all, in case of acute respiratory infections, it is necessary to raise the head end of the bed or place a pillow under the child’s head, as regurgitation, increased salivation may occur, and with a cough and runny nose, separation of sputum and mucus from the respiratory tract may occur. With a low head position, there is a risk of aspiration (inhalation) of discharge and the development of suffocation. In addition, an elevated position of the head facilitates breathing that is difficult during a cold. The air in the room should be moderately humid and warm. Ventilate the room often, but not when the child is sick.

Bed rest is prescribed until the temperature normalizes and the acute symptoms of ARVI subside (for 6-7 days). The child must be given additional amounts of fluid, since during fever there is an increased loss of fluid through sweat, breathing and physiological secretions. Food should be age-appropriate in terms of calorie content and food ingredients, but mechanically and chemically gentle, moderately warm with limited salt, and with sufficient vitamin content. A dairy-vegetable diet with the inclusion of fruits and vegetables is more often used. Children should be given water more often, giving tea with 5% sugar, compote, cranberry juice. During the period of convalescence, food should not differ from physiological food, but be enriched with vitamins. Many children during the period of illness and several days after it refuse to eat as before; in this case, it is impossible to insist, the additional load on the digestive organs can slow down the healing process. Let the baby eat what he wants and as much as he wants. After complete recovery, your appetite will be restored.

When the first signs of a cold appear in young children, you can begin treatment with rubbing, medicinal baths and compresses. It must be remembered that these procedures can only be carried out at a body temperature not exceeding 38 ° C and in the absence of damage and skin diseases. A temperature that does not reach this limit does not require special treatment: it indicates that the body is fighting the infection on its own. For temperatures above 38°C, non-drug treatments can be used. Rubbing with warm water will help reduce the temperature: the child is covered with a sheet, they open the leg, quickly wipe it, put it under the sheet, open another one, wipe it, close it, and so on. Small enemas with water at room temperature (20-30 ml) are also effective. In the absence of effectiveness from the procedure, the safest drug for the child is the use of paracetamol in an age-appropriate dosage and form. There should be at least 2 hours between doses of the medicine.

Rubbing the skin of the chest, back, neck, legs and feet can be done using bronchicum balm, Doctor Theiss eucalyptus balm, Doctor MOM ointment, tussamag balm and others. Rubbing into the skin is carried out for 5-7 minutes 2-3 times a day and always at night; at the end of the procedure, the child should be wrapped in flannel or soft wool. Rubbing is recommended for children of any age, starting from birth.

Therapeutic herbal baths are also recommended for children of any age. For children under one year old, the water temperature is recommended to be about 38° C; this temperature must be maintained throughout the entire bath, that is, 10-15 minutes. The required volume of herbal preparation is dissolved in water: bronchicum-bath with thyme (20-30 ml), eucabal-balm (a strip of balm 10-20 cm long is squeezed out of the tube). If necessary, the bath is repeated daily. After the bath, the child should be wrapped up and put to bed. In case of excessive sweating, it is necessary to carefully change the child into warm, dry clothes some time after taking a bath.

Compresses on the chest are made using any vegetable oil: the child is wrapped in a soft cloth soaked in oil heated in a water bath, after which thin polyethylene is applied, then a cotton or wool pad, and all this is secured to the chest with a bandage or scarf. Compresses are made for a period of at least 2 hours, they can be repeated up to 2-3 times a day.

The therapeutic effect of rubbing, medicinal baths and compresses is due to the content of aromatic (essential) oils in herbal preparations. During the procedure, they freely penetrate through the skin into the blood and lymph and have a healing and calming effect: the child’s general well-being and heart function improve. In addition, when taking herbal baths, aromatic vapors penetrate the respiratory tract, helping to restore normal breathing.

Bronchicum balm, eucalyptus balm "Doctor Theiss", ointment "Doctor MOM", tussamag balm for colds contain eucalyptus, camphor, coniferous (pine) and nutmeg oils. They relieve inflammation, thin mucus, remove obstacles to its elimination, improve breathing, and reduce cough. In addition, when heated to body temperature, essential oils become volatile and have a therapeutic effect also when inhaled. Thanks to the double effect, rubbing in balms and ointments is an emollient for colds.

Difficulty in nasal breathing during ARVI and influenza causes anxiety in the child, interferes with sucking in infants, and disrupts sleep. In young children who cannot blow their nose, the easiest way to remove mucus from the nasal passages is with a rubber bulb, but this requires caution and skill; you can clean the nose with soft cotton swabs moistened with sterile vegetable oil or boiled water. If the child knows how to blow his nose, then you need to clean each nostril in turn, pinching the other, otherwise the infection can get into the eyes and ears. The weak effect of medications for the common cold is most often associated, on the one hand, with the fact that the wrong medicine is used, and on the other, that expecting a result immediately after the first administration is premature. Nasal drops, according to the mechanism of local action, are vasoconstrictors that relieve swelling of the inflamed mucosa and thereby improve the passage of air through the nose, so such drops should be used only when nasal breathing is blocked. Naphthyzin or galazolin, most often used for this purpose, have pediatric forms, but require caution and strictly controlled dosing, since frequent instillation of these drugs leads to irritation of the epithelium of the upper respiratory tract and even atrophy of the mucous membrane. To wash away germs from the mucous membrane, it is better to use pharmaceutical saline solutions, including sea salt, at any stage of a runny nose.

Another group of local remedies used to treat rhinitis has a detrimental effect on the causative agent of the disease - viruses and microbes. These are various sprays, protargol solution, a large number of complex drops and ointments that have a combined vasodilator, decongestant and disinfectant effect.

To reduce runny nose and cough, it is advisable to use inhalation - inhalation of vapors of plant substances containing aromatic oils; they enter directly into the respiratory tract, envelop and moisturize them, relieve irritation and cough. For inhalations the following are used: bronchicum inhalate containing aromatic oils of eucalyptus, pine needles, thyme; ointment "Doctor MOM", eucalyptus balm "Doctor Theiss", tussamag balm and other products. For newborns and infants, inhalations are carried out in a special way: using evaporation from an open container (pan) of hot water with a plant substance dissolved in it. In this case, the windows and doors of the kitchen (or other room where an awake or sleeping child is located) must be tightly closed. Proportions of the solution for inhalation: for 2-2.5 liters of hot water, 2-3 teaspoons of balm, inhalation or ointment. The child should stay in this room and inhale the vapors for 1-1.5 hours.

The combination of baths, rubbing and inhalations leads to a speedy recovery. Proper rubbing, baths, compresses and inhalations with herbal substances cannot harm the child’s health. However, these procedures must be coordinated with your doctor, just like taking cough syrups orally.

Herbal cough syrups prescribed to infants from 6 months. Syrups must be shaken before use. They should be stored in a dark, cool place. Here are the characteristics of some syrups:

Bronchicum - cough syrup (contains thyme, rose hips, honey and other substances), administered orally 0.5 teaspoon 2-4 times a day. It is undesirable to use syrup in the first months of life, since it contains honey. When taking bronchicum syrup on the 3-5th day, the cough softens and becomes less frequent.

"Doctor Theiss" - syrup with plantain for cough, applied orally 0.5 teaspoon every 2-3 hours (with a night break). Recommended for use when coughing with difficulty releasing sputum.

"Doctor MOM" - herbal cough syrup (contains licorice, basil, saffron), applied orally 0.5-1 teaspoon 3 times a day. It is especially recommended for sore, irritable, convulsive cough.

Tussamag - cough syrup (contains thyme extract), used from 9-12 months, 0.5-1 teaspoon 3 times a day. Especially indicated for dry cough.
All herbal substances are used at home as prescribed by a doctor and only for the treatment of mild colds in young children. Severe ARVI and suspected complications require hospital treatment.

Flu prevention

Prevention of influenza is carried out using specific vaccine prophylaxis. The timing of vaccinations should precede the onset of a flu epidemic because vaccines are tailored to the circulating flu viruses of a given season. Special vaccines are used for young children, schoolchildren, adults and the elderly. Rarely, a reaction to the vaccine occurs in the form of short-term malaise and fever. It is much milder than the disease, and you should not be afraid of it. Immunity is formed only against influenza, so a vaccinated child may well become ill with another viral disease.

All people sick with influenza should be isolated from healthy people. You will say that it is difficult to isolate a child. And you'll be right. After all, he always needs something. In order to minimize the risk of infection, put a 6-layer gauze bandage on the sick person if it is ARVI or influenza. Change the bandage to a new one every 3 hours. It is good to ventilate the room where the patient was, and regularly carry out wet cleaning. Anyone who comes into contact with a person with the flu is recommended to instill interferon into the nose for a week; you can give aflubin, arbidol, ascorbic acid or dibazole. Adults are recommended to take rimantadine in a prophylactic dose, arbidol. For children over 1 year of age, it is useful to prescribe Algirem.

Preventive measures also include hardening, restorative procedures, good summer rest, a healthy lifestyle: maintaining a daily routine, regular walks, age-appropriate sleep, eating fresh fruits, garlic and onions.

It should be noted that parental smoking is harmful to the child, since the tobacco smoke that the child inhales has a harmful effect on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and promotes inflammation.

Very interesting is the use of inhalations using essential oils - aromatherapy to protect against infections. Place a lamp in the middle of the room, place a drop of fir or eucalyptus oil on a saucer and light the candle. Gradually evaporating, the molecules of the odorous antimicrobial substance will do their job. It’s even better to add a clove of garlic to all this, at night, for each family member.

Prevention of ARVI in children

One of the pressing issues in the autumn-winter period is the prevention of respiratory infections in children of different ages.

Nonspecific prevention involves the use of both general and special means and methods (drugs and procedures that increase nonspecific resistance to infectious agents and antiviral drugs). Nonspecific seasonal immunocorrection during an influenza epidemic or local outbreaks of other acute respiratory infections is complemented by emergency (according to epidemic indications) prevention, which is carried out with antiviral drugs.

Nonspecific prevention of influenza and ARVI in preschool children.

The most labor-intensive method, although more gentle on the body, is to increase the nonspecific resistance of the child’s body, the so-called nonspecific prevention, which includes a whole range of measures.

First of all, these are hardening procedures, ranging from the most affordable - foot baths or barefoot walking to visiting the pool and exercising in health centers. When hardening, you should adhere to the following principles:

Hardening procedures can only be performed on healthy children; contraindications are febrile conditions, the period of early convalescence after acute respiratory infections, diseases with serious impairment of the functions of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems;
- start with weak doses of hardening effects, followed by a gradual increase, for example, daily reducing the temperature of water for foot baths or herbal tinctures for gargling by 1 degree;
- use the impact on the body of various environmental agents - water, air, ultraviolet rays;
- carry out procedures regularly, alternating weak and stronger hardening agents throughout the hardening process;
- strive to create positive emotions during procedures.

Of primary importance is a complete diet, rich not only in proteins, but also in vitamins. The best way is to take multivitamins.

Complex vitamin preparations Vetoron and Vetoron-E have immunomodulatory and antioxidant activity, as well as anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic and radioprotective effects (orally from 5 years, 3-4 drops, from 7 years - 5-7 drops 1 time per day or in capsules with 6 years 5-80 mg 1 time per day).

Vitamins C, A and group B should be widely used in age-specific dosages. The optimal ratio of these vitamins is contained in the preparations “Hexavit”, “Revit”, “Dekamevit” and “Undevit”. They are recommended to be taken in age-specific dosages 2-3 times a day after meals for a course of 20-30 days.
During the cold season, children are recommended to use rosehip syrup 1 teaspoon per day.

Recognized means of strengthening nonspecific resistance are adaptogens– harmless biologically active substances of plant or animal origin that can restore impaired body functions. Many biologically active additives (dietary supplements) are such drugs. As a rule, adaptogens are prescribed during periods of seasonal overstrain of the body's adaptive mechanisms - in autumn and spring. With regard to acute respiratory infections, these drugs have a fairly pronounced protective effect. Long-term use (for 1-2 months) of adaptogens is not accompanied by any side effects, but one should remember about possible individual intolerance and the presence of contraindications for some of them, so it will be necessary to consult a pediatrician about this.

The most popular adaptogens are extracts from the roots of eleutherococcus and ginseng, aralia tincture, preparations of echinacea, seaweed (Fitolon), pine and spruce needles (pine tablets-lesmin), honey (vitamedin), as well as adaptogens of animal origin : from royal jelly - “apilak”, hydrolyzed mussels - “viramide”, from deer antlers - “pantocrine”, etc.

Schemes for using the main adaptogens:

Immunal – 5-10 drops orally (1-3 years), 10-15 drops (from 7 years) 3 times a day;
Echinacin – 5 ml orally (up to 3 years), 10-15 ml (from 4 years) 2 times a day;
Dr. Theiss – echinacea tincture – orally from 1 year – 10-20 drops 3 times a day;
Echinacea Hexal – 5-7 drops orally from 12 years of age and older, 2 times a day.
Eleutherococcus extract – 1-2 drops per year of life, 2 times a day for 25-30 days.
Aralia tincture - 1-2 drops per year of life, 1 time per day 30 minutes before meals for 2-3 weeks.

For specific prevention of diseases of bacterial etiology in frequently ill children with reduced resistance, the use of vaccine-type immunomodulators containing antigenic determinants of the most common bacterial pathogens of respiratory infections has been proposed.

To resolve issues of emergency prevention, great importance is given to drugs that have a rapid protective effect against all pathogens of acute respiratory infections. As a means of emergency prevention, oral irrigation with decoctions of medicinal herbs (chamomile, calendula, sage, etc.), juice of Kalanchoe, garlic and onion (diluted 20-30 drops per glass of water), as well as local bacterial immunocorrectors ( Imudon, IRS-19).

ARVI in children (acute respiratory viral infection) is a group of diseases that affect the respiratory tract. Acute manifestations are familiar to each of us: pain in the throat, continuous cough, general swelling, fever. The baby’s body is very sensitive to respiratory pathogens, and therefore ARVI has gained the reputation of a childhood disease. Its peak occurs in the first months of school. The ENT organs of young children require careful care, since the disease hits the fragile and also provokes the development of chronic ailments. Let's consider the main causes of ARVI, and effective methods of combating it.

Symptoms of ARVI in a child

Despite the various forms of the disease, its symptoms remain easily recognizable. Common signs of ill health in young children are as follows:

• bodies;
• in the limbs, headache, fatigue;
• Mental instability, anxiety for no reason;
• Enlarged lymph nodes, accompanied by pain in the throat;
• Copious sputum discharge;
• Continuous cough.

The incubation period can be as long as a week. Also, much depends on the specific type of virus that entered the child’s body. It can be either a virus or rhinovirus, or a specific adenoviral infection. The unique “set” of consequences for the body may include symptoms,,,. A large number of pathogens significantly complicates the work of therapists.

Attention! Parainfluenza, which provokes a barking cough, is considered the most dangerous. This type of cough appears due to a narrowing of the larynx. This type of airway requires immediate attention.

Causes of ARVI in children

Harmful microorganisms settle in the child’s nasal mucosa after contact with a carrier of the virus. They multiply for several days, release toxins into the circulatory system, and then provoke acute inflammation. During fever, nasal discharge is also accompanied by joint pain. The following factors contribute to infection:

• Hypothermia of the body;
• Poor nutrition during a viral epidemic;
• Decreased immunity due to past illnesses and various operations;
• Reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms in the presence of an infectious focus (dental, bloating,).

Gross violation of the rules of therapeutic prevention during the spring-autumn semester also contributes to infection. Since it is during this period that children's groups are widely exposed to respiratory diseases.

Video treatment of ARVI in a child

Treatment method for ARVI in children

Timely contact with a specialist is the best treatment method, regardless of the cause of the disease. An independent attempt to cope with a viral disease risks the infection remaining in the body. And this can cause various complications for the child. To avoid otitis or otitis, you need to quickly decide on the diagnosis and treatment method. A competent scheme of the latter will allow you to get rid of the problem in a short time.

The doctor determines the treatment regimen based on the general condition of the baby and the current form of the disease. To make an accurate diagnosis, an examination of the oral cavity and respiratory tract is performed. Laboratory tests are prescribed less frequently. The treatment itself requires the following conditions:

1. Bed rest (with rare exceptions for strong children);
2. Drinking plenty of fluids;
3. Dietary diet.

Attention! Taking medications without consulting a specialist is strictly prohibited!

It is important to choose the right drugs so that they have an effective therapeutic effect. Thoughtlessly taking antibiotics will not bring any benefit; on the contrary, the virus will develop resistance to their components. The accumulation of microorganisms on the mucous membrane is unlikely to respond to antibacterial sprays purchased at random. Local therapy is designed to prevent the subsequent spread of the virus, but it does not have a serious effect.

The resistance of the child’s body to infectious agents guarantees the constant implementation of preventive measures. General principles of prevention include: eating fortified foods, taking long walks at any time of the year (without fresh air, the child’s immunity is greatly reduced), as well as maintaining personal hygiene.

Conclusion

During the cold season, doctors strongly recommend taking a preventive course to strengthen the child’s immunity. Parents should also make sure that there are always fresh fruits and vegetables on the table. Preventive measures can become reliable protection for children during the ARVI epidemic.

Attention! The use of any medications and dietary supplements, as well as the use of any therapeutic methods, is possible only with the permission of a doctor.

The fact that children from time to time suffer from colds (otherwise acute respiratory infections, and in particular ARVI) is not news to anyone. And most parents probably know the strategy of drug therapy in this case - antipyretic syrup, cough pills, nasal drops... But did you know that often treating colds in children can also be done using non-drug methods?

Sometimes the simplest methods of treating colds in children - sound sleep, warm drinks, an adequate microclimate in the apartment - can lead to the baby’s recovery much faster than the most modern pharmaceutical anti-cold medications.

ARI and ARVI: find 10 differences

In fact, neither ten nor two even significant differences between acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections can be found. Judge for yourself:

ARI is an abbreviated name for a group of acute respiratory diseases. In just over 95% of cases, respiratory diseases are caused by viruses, and in this case the abbreviation ARI is transformed into ARVI - that is, acute respiratory viral infections. This is perhaps the whole difference: acute respiratory infections is a more general name for respiratory “sores” (which includes not only viral infections, but also bacterial ones - for example), while ARVI is the name for a group of specifically viral respiratory ailments (which includes not only all kinds of laryngitis , tonsillitis, etc., but also various forms of influenza).

The key word in both abbreviations is “respiratory”. It indicates that the respiratory tract is primarily affected. Or at least - infection occurs through the respiratory system.

The popular lexicon has united these diseases with a simpler and more capacious definition - “cold”, although in fairness it must be said that there is no such name in medicine and never has been.

In order for you or your baby to “catch” a cold (even a common runny nose!), it is absolutely not necessary for you or your child to be “attacked” by someone already infected: for example, sneezed or kissed.

The air around us is full of pathogens of acute respiratory infections. All these microorganisms (both viruses and bacteria) are an integral part of it. However, under normal conditions, our immune system is quite capable of daily repelling most viruses and bacteria “suspended” in the air. And only if, for some reason, immunity is weakened or absent, a cold begins.

When is there a good chance of curing a child’s cold without medication?

The modern pharmaceutical industry has done a great job in the field of popularizing drugs - if you believe current advertising, then without this or that drug these days it is impossible, as they say, “to breathe or gasp.” Not to mention curing any illness, including the commonplace ARVI. However, this is not entirely true.

In the case of bacterial acute respiratory infections (such as, for example, the same sore throat), the use of medications (namely, antibiotics) is indeed not only useful and justified, but also mandatory. Because it is rare that the human body is able to independently defeat a bacterial infection in the respiratory system.

In addition, most complications of acute respiratory viral infections affecting the lower respiratory tract (for example, bronchitis or pneumonia) are also almost always treated with appropriate drug therapy.

But in most cases of treatment of acute respiratory viral infections of the upper respiratory tract, which are not burdened with complications, it is quite possible to do without medications. Even when a small child is sick. In any case, many modern pediatricians, including the popular doctor E. O. Komarovsky, advocate for a drug-free approach to the treatment of mild forms of ARVI in children.

A cold doesn't come without a bouquet...

Treatment (and even more so prevention) of ARVI in children in cases where there are no obvious complications of the disease, usually comes down to ridding the baby of mucus clots accumulated in the respiratory tract. Usually cold(using popular language, we will use this term as a synonym for “ARVI”) Children exhibit the following general symptoms:

• or (and as a consequence - lack of nasal breathing);
• cough (dry or wet);
• additional symptoms - headache, weakness, lack of appetite and others;

So, all these symptoms, with early intervention and a prudent approach to treatment, according to progressive pediatricians, can be eliminated without the use of medications. How exactly? We'll tell you in detail!

Treatment of ARVI in children: step one - creating a “healthy” climate

There are simple household techniques and methods for treating ARVI in children, which are also at the same time the most effective prevention of colds in a child.

As a result of these techniques, the accumulation of mucus in the child’s upper respiratory tract stops, which actually gives an impetus to recovery. The mechanism is simple: the pathogenic environment (in the case of ARVI, this is precisely clots of mucus in the child’s respiratory tract) either does not have time to accumulate, or is diluted and eliminated in a timely manner, which greatly facilitates the child’s breathing. And at the same time, it allows immune cells to do their job already on the 5-6th day of the disease - to defeat those viruses that still remain in the respiratory tract.

Similar non-drug treatments for colds in children include:

• Creating a “healthy” climate in the children’s room where the baby lives - humid and cool;
• Daily ventilation of the children's room (and the home in general);
• At the first hint of an onset of a cold, introduce a regime of heavy drinking and limited nutrition (if loss of appetite is obvious);
• Make sure that nasal breathing is always free.

It is much healthier and more comfortable for any child (including from the point of view of preventing a number of diseases) to live in a humid and cool climate. But for a child suffering from ARVI, being in a humidified and well-ventilated room is vital.

Let us recall the parameters of the “ideal” nursery: optimal humidity - 55-70%, temperature - no higher than 20-21°C.

How to control humidity and temperature in a room? On instruments!

When treating a cold in a child, the correct climate in the nursery is extremely important! The easiest way to control humidity in your home is with a hygrometer. Such a device is usually not sold in pharmacies, but certainly in any large pet store.

Of the devices that can regulate the temperature in a room, the most “correct” one is a radiator valve, with which you can easily reduce the “warmth” in the room if necessary.

However, devices that affect air temperature, unfortunately, cannot increase its humidity. Any devices that heat the air (be it electric heaters, conventional batteries, etc.) dry the air. Any devices that cool the air - for example, air conditioners - also dry the surrounding air. By and large, any attempts to humidify the air by adjusting the temperature do not have a positive effect on humidity. On the contrary, they reduce the moisture content in the air. And thus not only do they not help, or, on the contrary, they contribute to drying out and thickening of mucus in the respiratory tract.

Only special household humidifiers can truly effectively increase the humidity in a room, of which there are dozens of models on the modern household appliances market for every taste and income.

Treatment of colds in children: step two - give your child something to drink!

Why is it so important to constantly water a child with ARVI?

With any respiratory infection, the human body loses more fluid. For example: at a body temperature of 38°C, a one and a half year old baby loses an average of 200 ml of fluid per hour.