Early detection of acute rhinitis in infants

The article was consulted with Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi An - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.

Acute rhinitis is a very common acute respiratory infection in infants. Although it is a mild disease, if not detected and treated early, acute rhinitis in infants can lead to many complications such as pharyngitis, otitis media, sinusitis, lower respiratory tract infection, ...

Acute rhinitis is a very common acute respiratory infection in infants. The cause is often caused by children infected with respiratory viruses such as Rhinovirus, Coronavirus, Respiratory syncytial virus, Adenovirus, ... then under the toxin of the virus, the resistance is weakened, the child can be infected with more bacteria such as staphylococci, streptococci, pneumococci,... In which, group A beta-hemolytic streptococci are the most dangerous, which can cause serious complications such as myocarditis, acute glomerulonephritis, acute arthritis, etc. ..
Favorable factors for the onset of acute rhinitis in infants are:
Sudden change in weather: from sunny to rainy, humid climate Sudden temperature change: children take a bath right after when exercising, catch a cold right after the child finishes bathing or turn on the air conditioner to be too cold while the child sleeps. lots of dirt.

Newborns with acute rhinitis will have symptoms such as:
Children with stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat and cough. Cough at first, then cough with phlegm. The child has a fever of 38-39 degrees, the nasal discharge is initially clear and then turns cloudy due to a secondary infection. Children with anorexia, poor feeding, fussiness, difficulty sleeping, often open-mouth breathing due to the main airway obstruction in the nose,. There may be vomiting, loose stools. The child breathes faster than usual, if the inflammation spreads to the lower respiratory tract, it can cause chest tightness. When examining the nose, the nasal mucosa is red, clear or cloudy, and the nasal mucosa is sometimes shiny like glass, indicating secretions. Because the nose and pharynx communicate through the nasopharynx, inflammation in one area can affect the other, often in two places at the same time. Throat mucosa may be red, painful, cough a lot.
Acute rhinitis in infants is a mild disease that is easy to cure, but if not treated and cared for appropriately, the disease can cause complications such as otitis media, sinusitis, throat swelling to the point of suffocation, inflammation. lower respiratory tract (bronchitis, pneumonia),... If acute rhinitis and pharyngitis caused by group A hemolytic streptococcus agents can cause arthritis, myocarditis, acute glomerulonephritis,...

When a child has a mild stuffy nose, and the nasal secretions are still loose, parents should regularly wipe the child's nose with a soft tissue, then throw it away after using it (don't use a cloth towel because if you don't change a new one after each use). , viruses, bacteria are still on the towel). If the nasal discharge is thick, you can put a few drops of physiological saline into the nose, wait for the rust to soften, then wipe the nose gently. A nasal aspirator can be used if the nasal secretions are thick and thick, but should not be abused because frequent use can cause damage to the nasal mucosa. Parents should not use their mouth to suck the nose of their children because they will accidentally introduce bacteria from the adult's mouth into the baby's nose.
Strengthen nutrition during the time when children have acute rhinitis, breastfeed on demand, more times a day.
If the child has a fever above 38.5 degrees, coughs a lot, and has rapid breathing, parents should take the child to a medical facility for treatment. The doctor may prescribe:
Paracetamol 10-15mg/kg/time to reduce fever and pain Relieve cough with warm salt water, cough syrup Antibiotics if there are signs of infection.

Parents must follow the doctor's instructions, use antibiotics as prescribed, should not self-medicate to treat, nor reuse the prescription of the previous visit. Pay attention to vasoconstrictor drugs (such as naphazolin with concentrations of 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1%, Phenylephrine with concentrations of 0.25%, 0.5% ,0.1%) to help reduce congestion, edema, help children reduce stuffy nose, easier to breathe. However, these drugs are not usually given to infants.

To prevent acute rhinitis and other acute respiratory infections, parents need to keep their children warm, especially the neck, chest, and soles of the feet when it's cold. Strengthen nutrition for children, exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months. If for various reasons the mother cannot breastfeed, choose the right type of formula for the baby to ensure hygiene when preparing.
Clean the infant's mouth daily by using a sterilized tongue or a clean soft cloth soaked in clean water or physiological saline, gently cleaning the child's mouth and tongue, twice a day.
Keep the living environment clean, avoid cigarette smoke, mold, and dust. Do not let children come into contact with adults or children who are sick. Fully vaccinated children according to schedule.

Pediatrics department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to: respiratory infections, viral fevers, bacterial fevers, ear infections. middle, pneumonia in children, .... With modern equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread. Along with that is the dedication from the doctors with professional experience with pediatric patients, making the examination no longer a concern of the parents.