Pediatr. praxi 2017; 18(6): 375-378

Respiratory tract infections in children

prof. MUDr. Ivo Šlapák, CSc.

Klinika dětské ORL LF MU a FN Brno

Respiratory tract infections in children account for nearly half of all diseases in this age group. One of the general conditions typicallyaffecting the airways is influenza. It is a respiratory viral infection that occurs epidemically every year in the winter season. Theclinical presentation begins with a sudden high fever, feeling extremely unwell, sweating, muscle and joint ache, headache, particularlybehind the eyes, followed by irritating, dry or even painful cough. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended as a way ofprevention. When considering particular parts of the airways, the most common inflammatory conditions are those affecting thenose and nasopharynx: acute rhinitis, acute rhinopharyngitis. The most frequent type of acute upper respiratory tract infection ischaracterized by vasodilation in the nasal mucosa with the resulting swelling, followed by rhinorrhoea and nasal obstruction. Thisinfection has the greatest impact on infants and toddlers. When there is nasal obstruction, they, especially those who are breastfed,have difficulties taking in food. The treatment is symptomatic, i.e. sprays or nasal drops with a decongestant effect. Also recommendedis the use of thermal water in a spray; sulphur-containing thermal water may even have a therapeutic effect. In children,rhinitis can be complicated by the spread of infection into the paranasal sinuses – rhinosinusitis. The correct diagnosis and treatmentof this disease require not only detailed knowledge on the causative agents and course of the disease, but also at least some basic knowledge on the embryology and physiology of the paranasal sinuses. The use of nasal drops and sprays with a vasoconstrictiveeffect is indicated for the local treatment of infectious rhinitis and sinusitis. It is a symptomatic treatment that suppresses the mainsymptoms of rhinitis. The use of nasal sprays with thermal water is advantageous for several reasons. Currently, thermal water ina spray is usually administered by means of pressure valves that do not require a fuel gas, which is due to the construction of thepackaging used. Another advantage of thermal water is its non-addictive nature, meaning that it can be used in the long term andrepeatedly because it only contains natural substances. With the use of nasal spray, as has been mentioned above, there occurs notonly clearance of inflammatory secretions, but also reflexive decongestion of the nasal mucosa and, thus, improved nasal airflow.A minor advantage of thermal water is the fact that, when swallowed, there are no adverse effects as there are in medicinal products.Generally, the use of this water can be recommended in all age groups, at the onset of disease even preventively.

Keywords: respiratory tract infection, influenza, rhinitis, rhinitis complications, thermal water

Published: December 1, 2017  Show citation