Pharyngitis in a baby is inflammation of the pharynx or throat, as it is popularly called, and can occur at any age, but is more common in children between 5 and 11 years of age.
Pharyngitis can be viral, when caused by viruses or bacterial, when caused by bacteria. The most common and serious pharyngitis is pharyngitis or streptococcal angina, which is a type of bacterial pharyngitis caused by Streptococcus.
Symptoms of pharyngitis in baby
Symptoms of pharyngitis in baby include:
- The baby refuses to eat or drink;
- The baby cries when he eats or swallows;
- The child may complain of pain in the throat or neck, especially when swallowing, drinking or eating.
Other common symptoms may occur such as fever, cough, runny nose, nausea, pain in the belly and throat with pus.
Causes of pharyngitis in baby
The most common causes of pharyngitis in baby may be:
- Cold;
- The flu;
- Obstruction of the throat due to secretions.
It is important to wash the hands and the child's hands frequently to prevent the spread of microbes.
Treatment for pharyngitis in baby
The treatment for pharyngitis in baby can be done at home and includes:
- Give soft foods that are easy to swallow to the baby;
- Give plenty of water to the baby and other liquids like orange juice, for example, to the child;
- Give pasteurized honey to a child over 1 year of age to hydrate the throat and relieve cough;
- Gargarejos with warm salt water for children over 5 years of age;
- In the presence of secretions, wash the child's nose with saline solution.
In addition to these measures, your pediatrician may indicate the use of medications in the treatment of pharyngitis. In case of viral pharyngitis, medications such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen to treat pain and fever, and in case of bacterial pharyngitis, antibiotics.
The inflammation of the throat caused by viruses usually disappears in about 7 days and the child usually begins to feel better 3 days after the start of the antibiotic.
Learn about other home measures to treat baby's neck pain in: How to Cure Baby's Neck Pain.
When to take the child to the pediatrician
It is necessary to take the child to the pediatrician if:
- You have inflammation of the throat for more than 24 hours, especially if you have a fever;
- You have had strep throat or been in contact with someone with the disease;
- Have difficulty breathing;
- You are very drooling or have a hard time swallowing.
If the child seems to be very sick, such as being quiet for some time, not wanting to play and eat, you must also take it to the pediatrician.
Useful link:
- Coughing in baby
