Main mistakes in the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children

A pediatrician of the highest category at the Vitamed Medical clinic, Lyudmila Evgenievna Nosichenko, will introduce you to an article on the topic: “Main mistakes in the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children”

Acute respiratory diseases are the most common infectious pathology of childhood. Often, parents begin treatment on their own, and the doctor is faced with “neglected” processes. To prevent parents from creating a threat to the health of their children, I would like to talk about the typical mistakes that they make when treating acute respiratory infections in children.

The first mistake: when treating acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections, the desire to “bring down” the temperature. Therefore, before the temperature begins to decrease, it is necessary to establish the cause (acute respiratory infections, pneumonia, intestinal infections and a number of other diseases, dehydration, overheating, damage to the central nervous system, etc.) that caused its increase. High temperature is primarily a protective reaction, and lowering its level is not always justified. Many viruses and bacteria stop reproducing at temperatures above 37–38°C; during fever, the absorption and digestion of bacteria increases, and lymphocytes—blood cells involved in the fight against infectious agents—are activated. Therefore, doctors strongly recommend not using antipyretics if the child’s temperature does not exceed 38.5°C. In this situation, it is usually enough to improve heat transfer: uncover the child, wipe with water at room temperature, let the water dry without dressing the baby (evaporation increases heat transfer), put a damp, cold towel on the forehead.

However, parents need to clearly know the situations when, before the doctor arrives, the child needs to be given an antipyretic drug:

· initially healthy children over 2 months old with a temperature above 38.5°C, under 2 months – above 38°C;

· at temperatures above 38°C for children with perinatal damage to the central nervous system, congenital heart defects with circulatory disorders, hereditary metabolic abnormalities;

· at a temperature above 38°C for children who have previously experienced convulsions due to an increase in temperature;

· at any temperature accompanied by pain, pallor, severe malaise, and impaired consciousness.

Mistake two: regular use of antipyretics. Long-term regular use (2-4 times a day) of antipyretics should be avoided due to the danger of side effects and possible difficulty in diagnosing bacterial complications (otitis media, pneumonia, etc.). If you regularly give your child antipyretics, you can create a dangerous appearance of well-being!

Error three: uncontrolled use of medicinal herbs. For acute respiratory infections, the doctor may recommend preparations based on chamomile, calendula, sage, eucalyptus, etc. (for gargling, inhalation, oral administration). However, the use of medicinal herbs must be approached with caution: one must remember the dose and do not forget about contraindications. Prescribing “herbs” to your child without understanding their effects is simply dangerous. People with allergies and children under 12 years of age should use herbal medicine with extreme caution. Mistake four: the desire to dress warmly when it’s hot. The processes of heat formation and heat transfer are interconnected; they help maintain a constant body temperature. “Wrapping up” a child against the background of increased heat generation leads to a disruption in heat transfer, which contributes to a sharp deterioration in the general condition, up to loss of consciousness from overheating.

Mistake five: fear of hypothermia in the child. A sick child needs fresh air. You should ventilate the room as often as possible (this is possible in the absence of the child), and carry out wet cleaning regularly (2 times a day). The room where the child is located must have a constant temperature (20–22°C) and optimal humidity (60%).

Error six: taking antibiotics for any acute respiratory infection. As is known, the majority of acute respiratory infections (90% or more) are caused by respiratory viruses (they are often called ARVI - acute respiratory viral infections); bacterial acute respiratory infections are few. Antibiotics do not act on viruses; moreover, they not only do not prevent bacterial complications, but also, by suppressing the growth of normal microflora, open the way for the colonization of the respiratory tract by microorganisms resistant to antibiotics. Uncomplicated acute respiratory viral infections do not require antibiotics. They are indicated only for bacterial complications, which only a doctor can determine (and also select the appropriate antibacterial drug).

Error seven: treating a runny nose during acute respiratory infections with vasoconstrictor drugs until “recovery”. Vasoconstrictor drugs (nazivin, naphthyzin, otrivin, galazolin, etc.) only temporarily facilitate nasal breathing, but do not eliminate the causes of a runny nose. In addition, they can only be used for the first three days; with longer use, they can even worsen a runny nose and cause side effects, including atrophy (thinning with subsequent dysfunction) of the nasal mucosa. Error eight: taking medications to “treat cough” (antitussives, expectorants, sputum thinners). Cough is a defensive reaction aimed at removing foreign particles (viruses, bacteria, etc.) from the respiratory tract, and its suppression does not lead to cure. For acute infections there is no need to use them; they are indicated only for chronic processes.

Mistake nine: taking antihistamines. Antihistamines have an important place in the treatment of allergic diseases, but not acute respiratory infections. Drugs in this group are prescribed for acute respiratory infections only to children with allergic diseases.

Error ten: physical treatment, incl. "home remedies". Mustard plasters, cups, burning patches and rubbing should not be used in children. Their effectiveness has not been proven, moreover, they are painful, dangerous for burns, and can lead to the development of allergic reactions.

Mistake eleven: the desire to force-feed a child. In sick children during acute respiratory infections, the secretion of digestive juices decreases and changes in intestinal motility appear. Poor appetite is a natural reaction of the body to a disease, since all its resources are aimed at fighting infection, and digestion of food is a fairly energy-intensive process. The general rule is that the body should not be overloaded, and the child's nutrition should be of proper density, liquid or semi-liquid; The patient is prescribed food in small portions.

Mistake #12: A sick child should stay in bed. The baby's regimen should correspond to his condition: bed - in severe cases, semi-bed (with alternating moderately active wakefulness and rest in bed, as well as mandatory daytime sleep) - when the condition improves, and normal - 1-2 days after the temperature drops.

Mistake thirteen: using self-medication, neglecting to consult a doctor if there is a change in the child’s condition. It must be remembered that manifestations of ARVI can be signs of more severe diseases, such as tonsillitis, scarlet fever, viral hepatitis and a number of other infections. With a sore throat and fever, diphtheria and meningitis (inflammation of the meninges) can begin, in which delay in diagnosis and treatment can be fatal! Making the correct diagnosis in these cases is not easy. Therefore, at the first signs of the disease, you must consult a doctor who will prescribe appropriate treatment.

All therapeutic measures are carried out only as prescribed and under the supervision of a doctor!

I wish your children good health!

You can always ask the specialists of the Vitamed Medical clinic any questions you are interested in by sending a request by e-mail or by contacting us by phone:

info@vitamed.uz

(+998 71) 129-81-81

(+998 71) 129-82-82

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Ambulance – 1063, (+998 71) 129-00-03

Be healthy and take care of your loved ones!