Respiratory tract infections are the most common and top of the list of pediatric diseases. Common symptoms include: fever, cough, sputum, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, itchy throat, hoarseness, headache, dizziness; may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc. The doctor may diagnose rhinitis, pharyngitis, herpes pharyngitis, tonsillitis, purulent tonsillitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, asthmatic bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. based on what is seen on physical examination. Sometimes they are collectively referred to as: respiratory infections.
Some children have multiple respiratory infections a year, the concept of recurrent respiratory infections; defined as: recurrent respiratory infections refers to the number of upper and lower respiratory tract infections occurring too frequently within a year, beyond the normal range; because children are in the process of growth and development, the respiratory system and immune system is not yet well developed, resistance to pathogens invasion, resistance to disease is weak, 3 to 4 times a year respiratory infections It is common, too many respiratory infections are pathological.
I. Because of the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the pediatric respiratory tract determines the susceptibility of children to respiratory infections, there are the following characteristics.
1, facial cranial underdevelopment, short nose and nasal cavity, nasal cavity without nasal hairs, and soft nasal mucosa, rich in blood vessels (easy to catch a cold, easy to block, and even breathing difficulties).
2, the nasopharynx and pharynx are relatively narrow, vertical, rich in collecting lymphoid tissue (peak at the age of 4 to 10 years), and prone to tonsillitis.
3. the laryngeal cavity is narrow and funnel-shaped, with soft cartilage and mucous membranes rich in blood vessels and lymphoid tissue, and prone to laryngeal obstruction following laryngitis
4, the lower respiratory tract: relatively narrow, rich in blood vessels, mucous membrane cilia, mucus cilia function is not strong, airway elastomeric tissue is underdeveloped, alveolar cavity and the amount of insufficient, underdeveloped respiratory muscle.
Second, the pediatric respiratory defense function is also relatively poor, due to.
1, organismic factors.
pediatric respiratory anatomical and physiological characteristics and underdeveloped immune function, especially in infants and young children; low number of T cells, poor function, low phagocytosis, lysozyme, lactoferrin, complement, interferon, etc. in respiratory secretions, which can resist pathogens are low in content.
2. Disease factors.
Weak children, malnutrition, especially En, Fe deficiency and rickets, congenital diseases, etc., are more likely to suffer from recurrent respiratory infections and delayed and difficult to cure.
3, environmental factors.
Climate change, environmental pollution, passive smoking, pets, indoor decoration, etc. are prone to recurrent respiratory infections.
Third, how to prevent recurrent respiratory tract infections.
1, looking for causative factors and give appropriate treatment. For chronic lesions in the nasopharynx, ask the ENT department to assist in the diagnosis and treatment. Since most upper respiratory tract infections are viral, antibiotics should not be misused.
2. physicians and health care providers keep parents fully informed of the condition
3. attention to nutrition and dietary habits as well as guidance on strengthening physical fitness
4, good hygiene habits and prevention of cross-infection.
5, good home care, attention to the symptoms of changes in the condition.
6, if necessary, give targeted immunomodulators: such as clinically used: bacterial extracts (Panfosu); chemical agents (Pidomod); Chinese herbal medicine (Sophora yellow, Yu Ping Feng San); trace elements (iron, zinc) and so on.