Children very often get colds, including pharyngitis and tonsillitis, affecting the throat. Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharynx, and tonsillitis is an inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils (i.e. tonsils). Redness and swelling of the inflamed tissue is called flushing.
One of the inherent symptoms of inflammation is redness. It is by the intensity of the redness that parents can determine how severe the sore throat is. It is worth noting that redness is always accompanied by edema, expressed to a greater or lesser extent, since both redness and edema are the consequences of increased blood filling of the inflamed tissue.
Other characteristic manifestations of the inflammatory reaction are pain, the formation of exudate (plaque on the mucous membrane), and an increase in temperature, both local (in the focus of inflammation) and the general body temperature of the patient.
But it also happens that the child's throat is red, and the body temperature is normal. What does this mean? Let's talk about what factors can cause reddening of the soft tissues of the throat in children of different ages, and tell you how to treat a red throat in a child without fever.
Redness is a sign of inflammation
Inflammation is a nonspecific reaction. It arises in response to the penetration of various stimuli into the body. Among them are infectious (viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa), and non-infectious - allergens, irritating chemicals, etc. Many irritants cause severe inflammation that disrupts the general condition of the body. This inflammation is accompanied by fever, headache, and indigestion. Among the pathogens that can cause severe inflammation, streptococcus and influenza virus can be distinguished. Other irritants, such as tobacco smoke, can cause mild inflammation of the mucous membrane, which manifests itself in redness, but not accompanied by an increase in temperature. Indeed, a child's throat may turn red if they smoke indoors.
Redness of the soft tissues of the throat against a background of normal or slightly elevated body temperature indicates a sluggish or moderate inflammation.
Should this inflammation be treated? Naturally, you need to. First, you need to find out its cause and try to eliminate it. If a child's throat is sore for a long time, there may be a chronic infection, gastrointestinal disease, allergies, and other disorders. When the cause of the disease is found out, it is necessary to cure the child without delay.
Sore throat causes
Let us consider in more detail some conditions in which hyperemia is observed, but the general body temperature does not increase.
- ARVI, i.e. acute respiratory viral infection is the cause of the common cold. Viruses of the ARVI group can infect the tonsils, pharynx, nasal cavity, trachea, and mucous membranes of the eyes. SARS symptoms - sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, lacrimation. In childhood, ARVI is often accompanied by a moderate increase in body temperature, but an older child may have a normal temperature. It is also possible a situation in which the body temperature is increased only in 1-2 days of illness, and then normalizes, although local symptoms (red throat, runny nose) persist. Mild forms of ARVI do not require specific treatment. The main tactic is to prevent the development of complications, primarily bacterial.
- Chronic bacterial infections. Unlike acute infections, chronic bacterial infections do not cause fever. They usually develop as a result of untreated acute respiratory infections of a bacterial nature.
Chronic tonsillitis can appear with improper treatment of angina - reducing the course of the antibiotic, reducing its dose, trying to cure exclusively with folk remedies, etc.
Symptoms of the presence of a chronic infection in the throat are discomfort when swallowing, bad breath, redness, changes in the structure of the mucous membrane of the tonsils and pharynx (the formation of bumps, folds). Chronic infections are difficult to treat. Chronic pharyngitis or tonsillitis may require several courses of antibiotic to recover. In some cases of chronic tonsillitis, removal of the tonsils is indicated. It should be noted that chronic infections are rarely diagnosed in children.
- The throat may be red if the child has to constantly breathe through the mouth. This is observed with a curvature of the nasal septum, proliferation of adenoids, and the appearance of neoplasms in the nasal cavity.
- Allergic reactions are a special case of inflammation, in which an allergen acts as an irritating factor. Respiratory allergens that cause throat redness include dust, animal hair, pollen, household chemicals (washing powder, air freshener, shampoo, etc.). The throat can also turn red on contact with food irritants - honey, propolis, herbs, chocolate, etc.
The degree of manifestation of allergic reactions varies greatly: in some cases, there is a slight reddening of the throat, mucous membranes of the eyes, and in others - a strong cough and sneezing, an increase in body temperature.
In infants, a red throat is observed during teething. Often, teething is also accompanied by a runny nose and an increase in body temperature, as a result of which the impression may be created that the child has caught a cold. The baby's gums should be examined - they are hyperemic when teething. Since teething is accompanied by pain, the child refuses food and is capricious. To relieve his condition, special cooling gels for the gums, which reduce pain, will help.- Persistent red throat occurs with gastroesophageal reflux, an inflammation of the esophagus caused by a weak sphincter between the stomach and esophagus. If the sphincter muscles are weak, food from the stomach, saturated with hydrochloric acid and enzymes, enters the esophagus and irritates its walls. Symptoms of the disease are frequent belching, regurgitation, hiccups, and vomiting. The child may complain of heartburn, sternum discomfort, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. If reflux bothers for a long time, the so-called otorhinolaryngopharyngeal syndrome joins the listed symptoms - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx, pharynx, and then the middle ear, sinuses.
In infants, a red throat is observed during teething. Often, teething is also accompanied by a runny nose and an increase in body temperature, as a result of which the impression may be created that the child has caught a cold. The baby's gums should be examined - they are hyperemic when teething. Since teething is accompanied by pain, the child refuses food and is capricious. To relieve his condition, special cooling gels for the gums, which reduce pain, will help.In children of the first year of life, reflux is very often observed, which manifests itself in regurgitation of food after feeding. By reaching 1.5 years of age, these symptoms disappear.
Thus, it is not always possible to understand why a child's throat is red. If the child is not complaining and is feeling well, do not rush to give him medication. Even folk remedies, when used "just in case", will do more harm than good. For example, a seemingly harmless herbal gargle can have serious consequences if the reddening of the throat is caused by an allergy. Watch your throat for a few days. If the redness does not decrease, consult a specialist.
Red throat and pain when swallowing - a symptom of ARVI
In most cases, redness of the throat and pain when swallowing are the first signs of SARS in children. Simultaneously with these symptoms, sneezing, redness of the eyes, and a runny nose appear.
Against the background of ARVI, a child can develop both pharyngitis and tonsillitis. By examining a child's throat, you can easily distinguish between these diseases. So, with tonsillitis, enlarged red tonsils are striking. With pharyngitis, the tonsils are not changed, but the visible wall of the pharynx is red and swollen.It is noteworthy that with tonsillitis, acute pain when swallowing is disturbing, while with pharyngitis, the main complaint is a feeling of dryness and perspiration.
In some cases, already on the first day of illness, the patient's body temperature rises sharply (for example, with the flu). In other cases, the symptoms increase gradually, reaching a peak on the 4-5th day of the disease (possibly with parainfluenza, adenovirus infection). Thus, if a child has a reddened throat, but there is no temperature, this does not mean that it will not be - perhaps the infectious process is still developing. Monitor the child's body temperature for 2-3 days in order to notice its rise in time.
How to relieve sore throat?
To reduce inflammation, you need to get rid of its cause - infection, allergen, irritants. Thus, in order to find an effective treatment, first of all, you need to correctly determine the root cause of the disease.
If you have all the signs of a cold, start treatment right away - this can eradicate the infection in the early stages of its development and prevent a serious course of the disease.
What needs to be done first? First, the child should stay at home - you should not go to school or kindergarten with a cold.
Secondly, it is worth taking an antiviral agent. It has been shown that antiviral drugs are most effective when used from the first day of illness. The following antiviral drugs are suitable for children:
"Grippferon" - even allowed for babies, produced in the form of a nasal spray, destroys ARVI viruses, including influenza;- "Orvirem" - syrup for children from 1 year old, helps with influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections;
- Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) - allowed for children over 1 year old, consumed no later than 2 days after infection;
- "Rimantadin" - pills for flu and colds, are used in the treatment of children over 7 years old.
"Grippferon" - even allowed for babies, produced in the form of a nasal spray, destroys ARVI viruses, including influenza;In parallel with antiviral drugs, local antiseptic and anti-inflammatory drugs are used. Local therapy is an indispensable part of the treatment of pharyngitis and tonsillitis.
In viral diseases, therapy with topical drugs can significantly improve the patient's well-being, and most importantly, prevent the development of complications, primarily bacterial ones.
The fact is that with inflammation of the mucous membrane in the throat, a large amount of sputum is formed. Since immunity in ARVI is reduced, opportunistic bacteria can multiply in the sputum of the throat. Bacterial infections are often more severe than viral infections. It is for bacterial infections that a strong increase in body temperature and the formation of pus are characteristic.
Treatment with topical drugs includes:
- gargling (with a solution of salt, soda, water with the addition of propolis tincture, chlorophyllipt);
- throat irrigation with medications in the form of sprays (such as Ingalipt, Stopangin, Geksoral, etc.);
- resorption of any throat lozenges containing propolis, menthol, herbal extracts;
- resorption of tablets that can have an immunomodulatory and antibacterial effect (Imudon, Lizobakt, Tonsilotren);
- treatment of tonsils with Lugol's solution or with an oil solution of chlorophyllipt (in modern medicine, lubrication is rarely used, preference is given to products in the form of sprays due to their hygiene);
- heat-steam inhalations with the addition of essential oils, decoctions of medicinal plants, salt or soda (contraindicated in children under 3 years of age).
Remember that the throat can turn red in a healthy child, but this phenomenon should not be ignored. Perhaps a red throat is the first symptom of a developing disease. If home treatment does not work within 3 days, see your pediatrician.
