What is stomatitis and how to treat it

Causes of viral stomatitis in children

There are several causes of viral stomatitis in children. This:

• recent infectious diseases: herpes (80% of cases), influenza, adenoviral infections, measles, chicken pox;
• contact with a sick person: a viral type of stomatitis is transmitted by airborne droplets, as well as through some objects (toys, dishes, personal hygiene items, etc.);
• weak immunity.

Viral herpes in children is one of the most common forms of damage to the oral mucosa. This can be explained by the fact that babies are very sensitive to the herpes virus, and if one of the family members gets herpes, there is a high probability that the child will develop stomatitis.

Stomatitis and sore throat at the same time, what to do?

Quite often, a sore throat is accompanied by stomatitis, an inflammatory process of the oral mucosa. Infection begins precisely from stomatitis, after which symptoms of sore throat appear.

The disease occurs because immunity decreases after influenza or ARVI. With stomatitis and tonsillitis caused by herpes, erosions form on the mucous membrane and plaque appears.

How dangerous are the diseases? How to treat them?

Symptoms

A person becomes infected with stomatitis when he comes into contact with a sick person. The disease develops gradually - sometimes it takes several days or even weeks. The disease develops acutely - the temperature rises sharply, the person weakens, and pain appears in the oral cavity.

One of the main signs of stomatitis sore throat is ulcers and plaque on the tonsils. Experts are confident that the disease is caused by pathogenic bacteria that lead to stomatitis. Pathologies develop in the tonsils, as well as in the oral mucosa. The plaque may be white or yellow, and ulcers begin to form under the film.

Particularly dangerous is the acute form of tonsillitis, which is accompanied by high fever, severe pain - it is impossible to swallow food, it is difficult to drink drinks, and salivation also increases.

Sometimes the lymph nodes begin to noticeably enlarge and are painful to touch. A blood test shows an increased number of white blood cells. As a rule, the disease lasts about two weeks. If the disease is advanced, more time is needed.

Who is most likely to get sick?

Tonsillitis and stomatitis most often affect a weak body. Most often, the pathology is diagnosed in people with low immunity. The disease affects an exhausted body and develops with dystrophy. The problem can also be caused by periodontal disease.

Treatment methods

In addition to standard therapy, it is imperative to treat mouth ulcers to prevent the infection from spreading. Carefully approach the treatment of your baby, otherwise everything may end up in a chronic form.

Try to gargle with antiseptics and herbal decoctions

It is very important that the patient adheres to a diet and stays in bed. In the menu, include finely chopped food, freshly squeezed juice, which will not irritate the mucous membranes

To help your body recover faster, take vitamins. In cases where the patient experiences unbearable pain, medications containing Pyramidon are prescribed. Additionally, Penicillin is administered intramuscularly. To alleviate the condition, it is necessary to treat the affected mucous membrane of the tonsils and mouth with various drugs. To prevent the disease from recurring, antibiotics are necessary.

The difference between stomatitis and sore throat

Diseases differ in symptoms! With a sore throat, it is difficult for a patient to swallow food, but with an inflammatory process, irritation appears in the oral mucosa.

Localization is considered a distinctive feature. With tonsillitis erosion, plaque forms on the tonsils. But with stomatitis, bacteria begin to infect the oral mucosa and lips.

Acute stomatitis is practically no different from a sore throat. Especially when the infection is caused by herpes. As a rule, this disease is typical for children under 3 years of age. It takes a lot of time to cure a disease

It is important to undergo comprehensive treatment so that the immune system has time to fully recover

Diagnostics

You should not self-medicate; it is best for a doctor to prescribe a course of therapy. For diagnostic purposes, immunological and cytological studies are used, and the oral cavity is carefully examined. Complex treatment makes it possible to find out the cause of the disease, then select the necessary medications.

Do not start pathology, otherwise everything will end in serious consequences. Inadequate treatment will lead to serious consequences and further complicate the disease. Everything can end in serious and unpleasant consequences.

Medications

Comprehensive treatment includes taking antiviral medications. Bonaferon has proven itself to be excellent (take for 5 days).

In order to remove toxins and strengthen the immune system, you need to take antihistamines - Suprastin, Diphenhydramine, as well as calcium supplements.

Specialists additionally prescribe medications that contain prodigiosan, as well as injections of Lysozyme. The acute form is treated only with antibiotics.

Symptoms

• The child becomes nervous, capricious, lethargic, whiny, refuses to eat and sleeps poorly.
• With viral stomatitis, children sometimes develop a fever.
• The child complains of severe pain in the mouth, the submandibular lymph nodes are painful when pressed.
• There is an unpleasant odor from the mouth.
• When examining the oral cavity, you can see that the gums are swollen and bleeding, and ulcers (aphthae) have appeared on the tongue and mucous membranes - at first they resemble pimples, then they become covered with a whitish film.

Viral stomatitis in children is dangerous because at the initial stage its symptoms resemble a sore throat: the child has difficulty swallowing, complains of pain in the mouth, and upon examination the throat looks swollen. And if you self-medicate, you can ensure that dental aphthae will spread further. Only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis.

Stomatitis sore throat - description, treatment, symptoms

Published by Mister Doctor on 02/24/2019

Stomatitis sore throat is an infectious disease, it seems to be a complex phenomenon, since it is formed by mixing two backgrounds of different diseases - inflammation of the palatine zone and stomatitis manifestation. The disease is characterized by similar symptoms of tonsillitis and the appearance of painful “nodules”, so it is often difficult to recognize the secretive nature of the inflammatory process. As a rule, the disease manifests itself in the detection of wounds of an ulcerative nature, then the characteristic symptoms of a common sore throat begin.

The inflammatory process, accompanied by the appearance of stomatitis formations, as well as redness of the throat, soreness, swollen tonsils, is complex; it is necessary to exclude the “neglectedness” of the process in order to avoid even greater complications. Ulcerative formations on the tonsils cause acute pain and difficulty swallowing, so you should not delay medical help.

Treatment of viral stomatitis in children

The course of treatment for viral stomatitis in children depends on the timeliness of visiting a doctor, as well as the age and state of the child’s immunity. It may include:

1. Rinse

As a rule, the dentist recommends treating the mucous membranes of the oral cavity with anti-inflammatory drugs. Also, for viral stomatitis in children, you can use decoctions of certain plants (calendula, chamomile, sage) or an infusion of oak bark. For small children who do not know how to rinse their mouths, irrigation can be done using a regular rubber bulb.

1. Treatment with ointments and oils

After rinsing, for the treatment of viral stomatitis in children, sea buckthorn oil or vitamin A (in oily form) is usually used, which is used to lubricate the aphthae. If viral stomatitis in children is caused by herpes, the doctor will prescribe a special ointment. To treat the oral cavity with oils and ointments, you must use cotton swabs.

1. Antipyretic and painkillers

Since the disease occurs with an increase in temperature and causes very painful sensations in the baby, the doctor prescribes appropriate medications. For example, for viral stomatitis in children, drugs such as Nurofen and paracetamol can be used.

How to treat a sore throat in a child?

An infection of a child's tonsils is called tonsillitis. The tonsils are glands in the back of the throat. Tonsils are part of the immune system and help fight germs in the mouth. Tonsils often become infected with viruses or bacteria. Bacterial tonsillitis is sometimes called tonsillitis (including streptococcal tonsillitis). Tonsillitis is common in children of all ages and often occurs with colds, runny nose and cough. Even if tonsillitis is caused by bacteria (tonsillitis), it is usually an infection that the child can recover from without antibiotics. Antibiotics do not improve tonsillitis symptoms, and most children have a sore throat that persists for three to four days, even if they are treated with antibiotics. Waiting to see if children get better without antibiotics is helpful because it increases immunity to infection and reduces the chance that your child will get tonsillitis again from this type of infection. If your child has recurring infections, it may be helpful to change the toothbrush after each infection to prevent the tonsils from becoming infected again.

Antibiotics are used for infection of the tonsils with Beta-hemolytic streptococcus group A (GABHS). However, the use of antibiotics in this case is aimed at preventing severe complications, such as rheumatic damage to the heart or joints.

Signs and symptoms of tonsillitis (tonsillitis)

If your child develops tonsillitis, it may present with the following symptoms:

• A sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Painful lymph nodes (glands under the jaw)
• Ear pain (middle ear infection must be ruled out)
• Fever
• Bad breath
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy and general malaise.
• Older children may also complain of headaches or stomach pain.

When to see a doctor?

If you think your child has developed tonsillitis for the first time, take him to a pediatrician, general practitioner, or ENT doctor. If your child has had tonsillitis before and it usually improves with home care, you don't always need to see a doctor.

Because tonsillitis is often caused by a virus, your doctor may not prescribe antibiotics because they will not help your child.

But some children may need antibiotics, including:

• those who have previously suffered from rheumatic heart disease,
• children with severe tonsillitis, especially if there is a rash (called scarlet fever)
• children who have complications, such as an abscess behind the tonsil or in the lymph nodes of the neck.

If swallowing is difficult, some children are given prednisolone (an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid drug) with or instead of antibiotics. Prednisolone reduces swelling of the tonsils.

If your child feels very unwell, is drooling and has difficulty breathing, call an ambulance immediately. This could mean dangerous inflammation of the epiglottis.

Caring for a child with a sore throat at home

Most children with tonsillitis can be treated at home after visiting a doctor (if necessary).

You can care for your child in the following ways:

• Make sure he gets plenty of rest.
• Give him a pain reliever, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
• Give your child more fluids to drink. This will prevent dehydration and make your throat less dry and sore. Ice cream is a good option as it provides extra fluid while also soothing inflammation and reducing sore throats.
• There are no restrictions on what a child can eat or drink. However, children may prefer softer foods if they have a sore throat.
• The child should stay at home until his fever has passed and he can swallow again without pain or difficulty. This usually takes three to four days.

If your child is prescribed antibiotics, give them to your child as directed and make sure the full course of antibiotics is completed.

You should call your doctor if your child has tonsillitis or sore throat and:

• Difficulty breathing with increased snoring during sleep
• Difficulty swallowing and signs of dehydration
• The child has difficulty opening his mouth
• You are worried for any other reason.

How to prevent tonsillitis from spreading to other children in the family?

Maintaining good hygiene reduces the chance of transmitting infection to others. Good hygiene includes: regularly washing your hands thoroughly, not sharing cups or cutlery, not allowing toothbrushes to touch, encouraging children to cough or sneeze into their elbow and using disposable tissues instead of handkerchiefs. Teach your child to throw tissues in the trash as soon as they are used and to wash their hands afterwards.

Key Points to Remember

Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils that can be caused by viruses or bacteria.

Bacterial tonsillitis is called tonsillitis.

The most dangerous form of sore throat is GABHS sore throat. It requires the use of antibiotics.

Most children recover with rest at home, pain relief, and plenty of fluids.

Many children do not need antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics do not treat viruses.

If antibiotics are prescribed, be sure to complete the course of antibiotics.

Therapy methods

To cure the body of parasites, you need to contact a pediatrician and take stool tests. Based on the results of laboratory tests, they determine which parasite is in the child’s body. It is possible to get rid of worms in the intestines. Medicines that remove parasites can have a toxic effect on the child’s body, have contraindications and side effects, so it is not recommended to buy the product yourself. Children's medicines are available in the form of suspensions, they have a pleasant taste. Before starting treatment, fatty, fried, spicy, and smoked foods should be excluded from the child’s diet. Take the tablets in the morning on an empty stomach, an hour before meals or during meals. The active components of the drugs cause paralysis of parasites and promote their excretion in feces. Treatment is usually one-time, if necessary, repeated treatment is carried out within 2 weeks.

Worms in a child under 2 years of age disrupt the normal functioning of the digestive tract; the toxic effect of anti-parasite tablets can worsen the condition. To restore intestinal microflora, the doctor prescribes intestinal chelating agents. Parasites do not reproduce in the human body, so they cannot increase their numbers. This only occurs during oral reinfection. Therefore, it is important to monitor compliance with the rules of intimate hygiene in young children and provide timely treatment.