How to treat respiratory tract infections in infants and young children?

Many people think that upper respiratory tract infection is a disease. In fact, it is not. It is a general term for a group of diseases, including many diseases, such as colds, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, etc. It also has a narrow definition that refers specifically to colds, and the incidence rate is very high. The incidence rate is highest among infants, especially in winter and spring. Since they occur so frequently, how do we treat upper respiratory tract infections?

1. Symptomatic treatment

(1) Rest: Those with serious illnesses or the elderly and frail should rest in bed, avoid smoking, drink plenty of water, and keep the room well ventilated.

(2) Antipyretic and analgesic drugs: If you have symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, etc., you can choose antipyretic and analgesic drugs, such as compound aspirin, acetaminophen, indomethacin (indomethacin), analgesics, ibuprofen, etc. Throat pain can be treated by taking various throat lozenges such as lysozyme tablets, Jianmin throat lozenges, or the Chinese medicine Liushen Pills orally.

(3) Decongestants can be used for nasal congestion. When the nasal mucosa is congested and edematous, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride or 1% ephedrine nasal drops can be used.

(4) Antihistamines: Colds often cause increased sensitivity of the nasal mucosa, frequent sneezing and runny nose. Antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine maleate or diphenhydramine can be used.

(5) Antitussives: For patients with more obvious cough symptoms, antitussives such as dextromethorphan and pentoxyverine can be given.

2. Treatment of the cause

(1) Antimicrobial drugs are not required for the treatment of simple viral infections. When there is evidence of bacterial infection such as elevated white blood cell count, pharyngeal pus, and cough with yellow sputum, penicillin, first-generation cephalosporins, macrolides, or quinolones may be used as appropriate. It is rarely necessary to select sensitive antimicrobial drugs based on the pathogen.

(2) Antiviral drug treatment There is currently no specific antiviral drug, and the misuse of antiviral drugs can cause influenza virus resistance. Therefore, if there is no fever, normal immune function, and the patient has been ill for more than two days, it is generally not necessary to use it. It can be used routinely in the early stages in immunocompromised patients. The broad-spectrum antiviral drugs ribavirin and oseltamivir have a strong inhibitory effect on influenza virus, parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus, and can shorten the course of the disease.

3. Treatment with traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine with heat-clearing, detoxifying and antiviral effects can also be used to help improve symptoms and shorten the course of the disease. Xiao Chaihu Granules and Isatis Root Granules are widely used.

Patients should be careful not to get wet in the rain, not to be too tired, avoid upper respiratory tract infections caused by colds, avoid crowded places as they are prone to infection, and do not touch their mouth, nose, and eyes with their hands. Parents of infants should pay special attention and try to wear masks when going to crowded places. Insisting on physical exercise and improving immunity is the key.