Treatment of herpes sore throat in children according to Komarovsky

For diseases occurring with the defeat of the tonsils, it is very important to clarify the diagnosis. This is due to different approaches to the choice of treatment tactics. First of all, it is necessary to identify a sore throat caused by a streptococcal pathogen. This disease is often characterized by a mild course, moderately pronounced symptoms of intoxication. At the same time, it is streptococcal angina that is a pathology that is dangerous in relation to the development of severe complications leading to disability.

Herpes sore throat in children caused by enterovirus, according to many experts, is not a dangerous pathology. However, close attention to this particular form of the disease is due to the similarity of its clinical manifestations with follicular angina caused by streptococcus.

The main directions of treatment

In his publications, television appearances, Dr. Komarovsky E.O. more than once touched upon the topic of antiviral agents. His messages on this matter are always quite harsh. Their essence lies in the fact that currently there are no reliably effective antiviral drugs. All drugs of this group available on the pharmacological market are divided either into reliably ineffective or drugs with unproven effectiveness. At the same time, many of the existing drugs have significant side effects, which creates a danger when used in children.

Since herpetic sore throat in children is caused by a viral pathogen, an enterovirus, and drugs that are effective against this pathogenic agent do not yet exist, therapeutic measures should help increase the child's immunity.

The body itself must cope with the virus that has entered it. The goal of treatment is to facilitate this.

Komarovsky E.O. supports this opinion and believes that the treatment of herpes (herpetic) sore throat in children should include the following areas:

Decrease in the concentration of the virus in the body;
Improving the patient's condition;
Prevention of the addition of a secondary infection, as well as the development of other complications.

Non-drug activities

Based on this, the doctor considers it possible to treat such patients at home. Only weakened children with pronounced concomitant pathology, or those patients who have complications of this disease, meningitis, encephalitis, are subject to hospitalization. However, home treatment implies mandatory bed rest. Only compliance with this condition contributes to a speedy recovery.

This disease is accompanied by a high body temperature, sometimes up to 40 degrees, which significantly worsens the child's condition. In this regard, it is necessary to carry out non-drug measures aimed at reducing it:

compliance with the temperature and humidity in the child's bedroom at a sufficient level (the air should be cool and not dry);
the child's pajamas should consist of hygroscopic cotton fabric;
excessive swaddling or wrapping is contraindicated, preventing heat transfer;
it is necessary to temporarily abandon artificial diapers that cover a significant surface of the child's body;
drinking plenty of fluids.

The use of drugs that have an antipyretic effect is when the temperature rises above 38 degrees, or the appearance of symptoms such as a sharp pallor of the skin, the development of seizures, lethargy, impaired consciousness.

Recommended drugs for children are paracetamol and ibuprofen, in age-appropriate dosages.

Drinking plenty of fluids plays an important role in treatment. It increases the production of sweat, which means that it leads to a decrease in temperature. In addition, abundant hydration helps to reduce the concentration of the virus in the blood. In the case of herpes sore throat, the situation is complicated by the fact that pathological foci in the throat cavity are extremely painful. These sensations are present not only when swallowing, but even when the liquid comes into contact with the mucous membrane of the throat.

The child is extremely reluctant to accept the offer to drink something. In this regard, it is not so much the specific offered drinks that are important, but the very fact of drinking large quantities of liquid. At the same time, hot drinks are less conducive to the release of heat and, moreover, have an irritating effect on the mucous membrane of the throat.

Drinking can be presented in the form of tea, compotes, juices, mineral water, carbonated drinks. According to expert Komarovsky E.O., in this case, the child may be offered ice cream.

Due to the presence of severe sore throat, there are some dietary recommendations. The expert always draws attention to the fact that in the presence of a viral infection, the child should not be force-fed, even if he begins to lose weight. For the period of treatment, all efforts should be devoted to combating pathogens, and not to digesting food. As the child recovers, his appetite will improve. The lost weight will soon recover.

Special requirements during this period are imposed on the consistency of food products. It is recommended to use pureed, mushy food at room temperature.

The use of rough, solid foods is excluded. Sour, spicy foods are also irritating.

Topical preparations

Many experts suggest using aerosols, lozenges, which have a bactericidal, anti-inflammatory effect, as a local treatment for herpes sore throat. Some may even contain a local anesthetic to help reduce pain. The opinion of Komarovsky E.O. quite skeptical on this issue. It lies in the fact that the use of these funds does not have a noticeable effect on the duration of treatment. However, when using them, some reduction in pain is possible.

At the same time, the use of such agents, especially aerosols, can irritate the mucous membrane, further worsening the child's condition. In this case, an individual approach is required. The same applies to throat rinses.

Such procedures moisturize the mucous membrane, helping to reduce the concentration of the virus in the throat cavity. Some patients report an improvement in their well-being after the procedures. However, as with any local treatment, you cannot count on the fastest recovery after rinsing your throat.

Contraindicated activities

Separately, it is necessary to dwell on those events that the expert considers not only inappropriate, but also unsafe. These include:

warming procedures for the neck area;
the appointment of antiviral drugs used to treat herpes infection;
carrying out physiotherapy procedures, such as the use of a quartz lamp, the use of inhalations.

The use of warming procedures on the neck area will lead to a local increase in temperature and an improvement in blood circulation. These factors contribute to the activation of pathogens and the spread of the process. Using a quartz lamp will not kill viruses, but is more likely to cause burns. Inhalation is also accompanied by a local increase in temperature, which can cause the spread of infection to adjacent tissues.

With regard to the use of antiviral drugs, such as Acyclovir, Gerpevir, these funds are considered active against the causative agent of the herpes virus. The development of herpetic sore throat is due to their other type, enteroviruses. According to Dr. Komarovsky E.O., the use of these drugs by some doctors indicates a lack of knowledge of the reasons for the development of herpangina. The name of the disease of herpes sore throat is not due to the nature of the pathogen, but to the presence of rashes that resemble herpes. Consequently, the use of these drugs is unreasonable, and given the side effects, even dangerous.

Doctor Komarovsky E.O. claims that herpetic sore throat is a very common disease. Most children between the ages of 3 and 10 have encountered it. Due to the lack of effective antiviral agents at this time, the treatment of herpes sore throat in children requires some patience on the part of the parents, since the period of complete recovery takes up to 10-12 days.