Respiratory infections in children occur every year, and this year it seems to be particularly numerous. Guangdong's "overnight quick freezing" and the drastic cooling in various places, can the dolls be able to bear it?
1. What are the common respiratory diseases in children in winter?
Upper respiratory tract infections are the most common type, accounting for more than 90% of respiratory infections in children.
The main respiratory pathogens prevalent this year are: influenza, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, etc.
These diseases can be transmitted through airborne droplets (i.e., saliva droplets from the patient's speech, coughing, or sneezing), direct contact with the patient's secretions, or items contaminated with the secretions.
2. Why is there a high incidence of respiratory diseases in winter?
In winter, the climate is dry and cool, the temperature difference between day and night is large, and sometimes the temperature is volatile, cold and hot, and the human body will have a decrease in immunity when adapting to this weather.
In addition, in winter, the mucosa of the respiratory tract constricts when it is cold, which reduces the resistance of the respiratory tract.
3. How to distinguish different respiratory diseases and how to deal with them?
(1) Influenza (influenza)
Influenza usually has a rapid onset, with fever appearing within 3~6 hours of onset and rapidly progressing to high fever (38.9~40°C), which may last for 3~5 days.
Patients are often accompanied by systemic symptoms: chills, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, nasal congestion, fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.
Coping: If there are no contraindications, influenza virus vaccination is recommended for people over 6 months of age.
After the disease, antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir, peramivir, mabaloxavir, etc. can be given. Most patients gradually improved their systemic symptoms after 3~4 days of onset.
However, children under 5 years of age are more likely to develop severe cases after infection, and vigilance is required.
(2) Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection
The main symptoms are similar to most respiratory diseases, with fever and cough as the main symptoms, and the cough is generally more severe. After the fever has subsided, the cough may persist for 1 to 2 weeks.
Some patients may also have symptoms such as headache, runny nose, sore throat, and earache.
Response: Currently, there is no targeted vaccine.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, the course of the disease is generally 2~4 weeks, timely identification and early treatment are the key.
The first-line treatment of mycoplasma pneumonia is: macrolide antibacterial drugs, and drug-resistant children can choose doxycycline, levofloxacin and other drugs, but they must be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.
(3) Respiratory syncytial virus infection
Acute respiratory infections in children under 5 years of age, many of which are caused by it. Its early symptoms are similar to the common cold, with fever, nasal congestion, cough and other symptoms.
In severe cases, wheezing and dyspnea may occur, and a few severe cases may be complicated by heart failure.
Response: At present, there is no specific drug, and there is no relevant vaccine in China.
It is mainly symptomatic and supportive treatment. In general, symptomatic treatment such as cough suppressants and phlegm drugs can be used to get better, but if symptoms such as worsening cough, shortness of breath and dyspnea appear, you should seek medical attention promptly.
(4) Adenovirus infection
The most common symptom is a high fever above 39°C, which can be accompanied by upper respiratory tract symptoms such as cough, sputum, redness and swelling of the pharynx, and sore throat.
Some children can also cause pneumonia, and some children have severe pneumonia.
Response: There is still no vaccine, and there is no specific drug.
Most adenovirus infections are mild. Most patients will recover spontaneously in about 1 week, and the treatment is mainly symptomatic and relieving discomfort.
It is important to be wary of a small number of severe infections. The most typical manifestation is adenovirus pneumonia. Severe adenovirus pneumonia with a case fatality rate of up to 10%.
4. What are the conditions that need to be sent to the hospital in time?
If you have a high fever for 3 days or more, headaches, muscle aches all over your body, chills, poor mental state, and poor appetite, you should see a doctor.
In addition, if your child has these symptoms, you should also go to the hospital in time:
Severe cough that interferes with normal sleep or life;
rapid or difficult breathing;
severe vomiting;
Poor appetite, feeding less than half of the usual amount, or even refusing to eat;
Listlessness or reluctance to communicate, irritability, irritability, lethargy.
It should be reminded that:
Children with underlying medical conditions are more likely to develop severe disease.
Small infants, especially those less than 3 months old with fever, should go to the hospital promptly.
5. How to prevent respiratory diseases in children?
Although the etiology and clinical manifestations of respiratory diseases in children are very different, most of them are transmitted in the respiratory tract and direct contact.
Therefore, the prevention and control measures are basically the same, mainly including:
(1) Get vaccinated
The most effective and economical way to prevent infectious diseases is vaccination, which can effectively reduce the risk of infection and severe disease through vaccination against new crown, influenza, pneumococcal and so on.
(2) Wash your hands frequently
Use soap or hand sanitizer and wash your hands with running water. Wash your hands or clean your hands after coughing or sneezing when touching public facilities such as elevator buttons and door handles.
(3) Wear a mask
During the epidemic period of respiratory infectious diseases, try not to avoid crowded places with dirty air, and if there are people with fever, cough and other symptoms around, it is recommended to wear a mask in time and do a good job of self-protection.
Cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue when sneezing or coughing to avoid droplets contaminating your hands and surroundings.
(4) Drink plenty of water
Keeping the nasal mucosa moist can effectively resist the invasion of viruses, and is also conducive to the excretion of toxins in the body and purifying the internal environment. Eat a reasonable diet, increase the intake of water and vitamins appropriately, and live a regular life.
(5) Exercise frequently
Adhere to physical exercise and cold-tolerant exercise, appropriately increase outdoor activities to improve the body's immunity (but reduce outdoor activities on hazy days).