Pharyngitis: symptoms, care, and prevention in children

Hand hygiene plays a crucial role in prevention: It's vital to instill in your children the habit of thorough handwashing. This simple yet effective practice is key to curbing the spread of germs, especially since conditions like viral and bacterial pharyngitis are highly contagious. We'll delve into this topic in our article.

Symptoms

Pharyngitis, commonly caused by viral infections like the cold or flu, presents noticeable symptoms: sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, and an inflamed and red pharynx. Streptococcal pharyngitis, of bacterial origin, is another variant to consider.

While pharyngitis is a common scenario in pediatrics, it's crucial to distinguish between viral and bacterial origins, as the latter requires antibiotic treatment to avoid complications or more severe conditions that could jeopardize your child's health.

When could you suspect bacterial origin pharyngitis?

Bacterial pharyngitis, especially caused by group A streptococcus, has certain features that differentiate it from common viral infections:

• Sudden and severe sore throat.

• High fever.

• Inflamed tonsils with white or yellow spots.

• Swollen and painful neck glands.

• Difficulty swallowing accompanied by loss of appetite.

What should you do?

Consult your pediatrician, as clinical evaluation and sometimes laboratory tests will help confirm the diagnosis.

If the pediatrician confirms streptococcal pharyngitis, you should:

Follow the antibiotic prescription provided by the professional, emphasizing the crucial completion of the treatment even if symptoms improve.

Home isolation: During the first 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment, it is advisable for the child to stay at home to prevent the spread of the infection.

Home care

In most cases, home care plays a crucial role in managing pharyngitis in children. Proper hydration, rest, a soft and cold diet, and the use of pain relievers or antipyretics as per medical advice are key components to alleviate symptoms.

What should you do?

ential: reinforce in your children the importance of handwashing to prevent the spread of germs, as both viral and bacterial pharyngitis are highly contagious.