Flu in children

March 15, 2012

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Flu   - A disease of an infectious nature that is very contagious and usually occurs acutely. The main symptoms of flu in children and adults is the presence of symptoms of intoxication, as well as the defeat of the upper respiratory tract.

Causes of influenza in children

Flu received its name from the French word grippe, meaning "to grasp." However, over a long period called the flu influenzavirus   (in Latin the word means "to invade"). The fact that the flu is a viral nature, scientists have learned English in 1933. The agents of influenza are viruses, which belong to the family ortomiksovirusov   and are intracellular parasites. They are divided into distinct types: A, B, C.

Influenza virus exhibit a high sensitivity to external influences: they die in the light of direct sunlight, under the action of formalin, sonication. Infectious virus disappears very quickly at 60 ° C.

The disease is widespread, it is characterized by epidemicity. Typically, the first influenza affects adults, and then, after a certain period, manifest in children and flu.

In most cases, the epidemic of influenza occur during the cold season. Explain this feature spread hypothermia, as well as beriberi Which manifests itself in people in winter and simplifies the process of emergence of new combinations of influenza A.

The carrier of the influenza virus is a person with this disease. The probability of infection exists during the last days of the incubation period and during the hectic period of the disease. The level of concentration of the virus is reduced in the air that the patient breathes out, after about the fifth day of illness. Since that time, the carrier of the virus is not dangerous to the people around him.

The most serious danger is represented by people who are sick erased   and subclinical shapes   disease. They continue to lead a normal life, to stay in motion, and thus infect many people who have contact with them. Children generally become infected with influenza from adults.

Influenza infection is transmitted to humans only through airborne droplets. When a person is sick with influenza, sneezing, talking, coughing and a high concentration of the virus is released from the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Thus for a few minutes it can be suspended in the form of aerosols. In more rare cases, the infection can pass to humans through household items, toys, dishes, linens.

Susceptible to flu even babies. Once a person ill with the flu, the body is formed immunity   for this type of virus. However, people can become infected again in a different serovariantami influenza virus.

Flu symptoms in children

Influenza in children appears after an incubation period that lasts from several hours to several days. The disease always begins acutely: the child's temperature rises, reaching very high levels (up to 40 ° C). The patient complains of fever, general weakness, dizziness, pain in muscles and joints. Until the maximum level of temperature rises at the end of the first day of the disease, more rarely, - on the second day. The child is a headache in the temples, forehead, eyeballs, he refuses to eat, not sleeping. Sometimes sick child may wander, it occurs hallucinations Manifested vomiting and nausea. Also, children with influenza can appear mild catarrhal phenomena: cough, nasal congestion and a small selection of it, the feeling of pain and sore throat, which increases during swallowing. If severe course of the disease, are frequent nosebleeds, loss of consciousness for a short time, seizures, signs of meningeal type. During the examination, the doctor usually finds a serious condition a child with the flu. The flu is observed pronounced facial flushing, cyanosis of the lips injection of vascular sclera. There are varying degrees of redness on the tonsils, the bow. In some cases, the back of the throat appear petechial hemorrhages. The child turns pale skin, there is increased sweating, stomach ache, and sometimes we have the frustration of a chair. Thus the child decreases blood pressure.

As a specific manifestation of the flu may be a manifestation of the segmental pulmonary edema. This phenomenon - the result of circulatory disorders in one lobe or lung segment. This symptom can only be detected during X-ray examination, because he was not clinically manifested.

If influenza in children hypertoxic manifested in form, is a symptom of hemorrhagic pulmonary edema, which usually finishes hemorrhagic pneumonia .  Because influenza intoxication changes occur in the lungs due to the high permeability of capillaries .  This manifestation is accompanied by wheezing and shortness of breath .  In the treatment process and thus reduce influenza intoxication these phenomena decrease .  But early childhood sometimes occurs connection of secondary microflora, and eventually begins to develop viral and bacterial pneumonia .  Feverish during flu lasts up to five days .  After that, the body temperature drops sharply, and the child begins to feel better .  Sometimes, the body temperature rises again, but these symptoms are the result of layers of bacterial flora or viral respiratory infection .  The disease is a child take up to ten days .  Posleinfektsionnaya fatigue persists even for several weeks after suffering an illness .  In this state, the child may feel weak, complain of poor sleep, a high level of fatigue .

Classification of influenza in children

There is a classification of influenza, according to which allocated easy . Moderate . heavy   ( toxic ) And hypertoxic   shape. Determine the severity of the presence and severity of the common symptoms of intoxication.

Flu mild proceeds with a normal body temperature, symptoms suggestive of intoxication are also absent. Thus the child can occur only catarrhal phenomena: a small cold, intermittent cough.

Influenza in the moderate form is expressed by the presence of symptoms of influenza intoxication. The patient manifested headache, chills, dizziness, body temperature increases by about 39 to 5 ° C. Perhaps the development of segmental pneumonia. The flu severe influenza intoxication is even more pronounced symptoms. In a sick child may periodically delirium, darkened consciousness, hallucinations, vomiting, convulsions. The temperature increases to 40 5 ° C. As complications possible violations activity Cardiovascular . necrotic laryngotracheobronchitis t hemorrhagic pulmonary edema .

When hypertoxic form of influenza occur hemorrhagic . meningoentsefalichesky . hyperthermal   syndromes.

In addition, influenza in children are sometimes held in a latent form. Outwardly, the child looks completely healthy, but in laboratory assays indicated increase in antibody titer to influenza virus. This condition can only be detected by laboratory research. Toxic and hypertoxic form of the disease most often seen in infants.

There are certain features that are characteristic of the current influenza in infants and neonates. These children are often the disease begins to progress gradually. It starts with a slight increase in body temperature, symptoms of influenza intoxication or mild or absent altogether. The child turns pale, refuses the breast, the weight can be reduced. In some cases, the flu appears minor catarrhal phenomena - a child coughs, sniffs the nose because of its congestion. It is also possible vomiting. It is important to take into account that the disease in infants runs hard, despite the lack of any visible distinct symptoms. Influenza is compounded by the addition of a bacterial infection, as well as subsequent purulent complications.

Flu in children from the age group of 1 to 3 years is expressed particularly severe symptoms. Intoxication is severe, it may result in central nervous system manifestation of meningoencephalitic syndrome. Children in this age of the flu occur expressed catarrhal phenomena. Connection of lung disease, asthmatic syndrome, croup. Also, the flu in children often have complications, which is why the prevention of influenza in children is paramount.

Besides these forms, a child may manifest congenital influenza. The fetus is affected in this case, not only because of the impact of the influenza virus, but also because of the strong toxemia , Exposure to toxic metabolites of hypoxia and other phenomena, the negative impact on the fetus.

Manifestations of congenital influenza is almost completely similar to the passage of influenza in infants. No signs of influenza intoxication is not observed, the body temperature may be normal, mild catarrhal phenomena. However, influenza, usually compounded by laminating a bacterial infection. In some cases, congenital influenza possible manifestation of edema and paralysis   respiratory center.

Complications of influenza in children

Complications of flu can occur in the process of developing the disease, and after it. The most common complications of influenza in children manifests itself laryngotracheobronchitis . otitis . inflammation of the sinuses . pneumonia . Complications of flu always arise as a result of the layering of the bacterial flora in the influenza infection.

Laryngotracheobronchitis becomes a serious complication for children ages. Often the disease is manifested syndrome of croup. In addition, the possibility of a flu dangerous manifestations of neurological complications: meningitis . Encephalitis . meningoencephalitis . In more rare cases, the child becomes a complication of the flu neuritis . neuralgia . polyradiculoneuritis . In this case, more likely to suffer complications younger children. During the acute condition of the flu may be functional disorders of the cardiovascular system, but after recovery the child, these symptoms disappear. In rare cases possible myocarditis .

Diagnosis of influenza in children

Diagnosis of influenza in children is based on the presence of signs of disease. On examination, the child's doctor must take into account the current epidemiological situation. As the main method of diagnosis carried out laboratory tests. In this case, the methods used by the two groups. Firstly, the virus is detected using virological methods that is most effective in the early days of the disease. Second, a determination is embedded reactions to the causative agent, i.e. to detect the presence of protective antibodies.

To diagnose congenital influenza, it is necessary to establish the presence of disease in the mother before birth, and signs of the disease in the newborn. In the presence of influenza virus can check the amniotic fluid, flush with nasopharyngeal child and mother.

Influenza is important to differentiate with other species SARS , Under which the defeat of the upper respiratory tract. Early diagnosis of influenza allows time to begin treatment of influenza in children and avoid complications.

Treatment of influenza in children

Proper treatment of influenza in children provides for compliance with the sick bed rest in a maximum isolation. The most common treatment of influenza performed outside of a hospital, but children with severe and hypertoxic form of influenza, should be hospitalized. The hospital carried out and treatment of complications of influenza.

Experts recommend to observe the course of treatment diet . The diet of the patient must prevail vegetable, dairy foods, fruits, juices, you should drink plenty of fluids. Patients assigned to receive influenza necessarily ascorbic acid or a multivitamin. Also symptomatic therapy: prescribed medication for the relief of pain, hyperthermia. Treatment of influenza in children in this case is preferably carried out using formulations based on acetaminophen .

Also, treatment of this disease involves the use of tools that facilitate sputum discharge. It Marshmallow tincture . mukaltin , Licorice root, and others. Depending on the severity of cough can be assigned antitussives. Also, children who are over two years, can be carried out inhalation   based on infusions of herbs.

To date for the treatment of influenza also apply special antivirals, but the efficiency of their use in a particular case to establish the attending physician.

If the child develops severe flu, especially when influenza hypertoxic form, it is possible death due to cerebral edema or lung. The cause of death can also be severe bronchopulmonary complications that cause Gram-negative flora . staphylococci . streptococci . Croup complicated by a bacterial infection in diffuse necrotic process is also a serious threat to the life of the child.

Prevention of influenza in children

Prevention of influenza in children provides for early diagnosis and, consequently, isolation of the patient. If a child is on bed rest at home, then he should stay in a separate well and regularly ventilated room. It is desirable to maintain a sick child to use the flu gauze bandages.

For the period of the epidemic of influenza is often terminated lesson in groups of children, going to school. In preschools children during the rise in the incidence of influenza-day visiting the doctor. As a means for the prevention of influenza in children often use interferon .

However, the most effective method for preventing influenza is today vaccination . The flu shot is carried out using children, both living and inactivated Vaccine . Today, for the flu shot to children most often used vaccine f lyuariks . influvac . begrivak . agripal . Vaksigripp . Grippol .

All these vaccines provide only short-term immunity, so flu shots to children must be repeated each year. Vaccination is carried out primarily for children who are at risk. This young children, and children who attend pre-school, school. Vaccinations should receive children who are sick of SARS; Children with chronic lung disease and heart disease; those receiving immunosuppressive therapy; children with hemoglobinopathies, anemia.

If for some reason it is impossible to make vaccination a child at risk, the vaccination should be subject to those caregivers. Children who are not included in these risk groups are vaccinated by their parents or a doctor's recommendation.