Differentiate common respiratory diseases

Each respiratory disease such as allergic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis, acute tonsillitis, inflammation of the lungs, pneumonia, asthma, bronchiolitis . have specific characteristics.

Respiratory disease accounts for 30-55% of children. On average, children under 5 years of age get 3-10 episodes each year. Most respiratory illnesses go away on their own, about 25% will lead to bronchitis and pneumonia.

Doctor CK II Nguyen Bach Hue, Head of Pediatrics Department of Chengdu International Hospital said that the signs of respiratory diseases are mild fever (38 degrees C) or high fever (39-40 degrees C), dry cough, sputum, intermittent cough or continuous cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, wheezing, wheezing. Besides the symptoms of crying and crying, headaches in older children, digestive disorders, vomiting, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, anorexia, diarrhea.

Signs of respiratory distress: Rapid breathing compared to age, wheezing, swollen nose, breathing contraction of respiratory muscles, cyanosis in the lips and limbs, lingering or delirium, high fever, stop eating , crying a lot.

According to Bach Hue doctor, respiratory disease can lead to local complications such as abscesses or throat infections, tonsillitis, throat abscess in young children. Some complications such as rhinitis, sinusitis, otitis, laryngitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. Distinct complications such as glomerulonephritis, arthritis, pericarditis .

Photo: Le Phuong

Here are some common respiratory diseases

Allergic rhinitis

A local inflammation caused by a sensitive nasal mucosa to one or more pathogens (allergens). There are two types of seasonal allergic rhinitis and year-round inflammation.

In children with four main symptoms are clear and excessive runny nose, nasal congestion, nasal itching, sneezing a lot, possibly accompanied by itchy eyes.

Nasopharyngitis

Usually occurs in cold weather (October to March). The most vulnerable age is 3-6 years old. There are many types of viruses such as influenza, influenza, Adenovirus, Rhinovirus. The disease spreads very quickly but is less dangerous, usually self-limiting for 7-14 days.

Some common symptoms:

1. Children have a feeling of dry nose, hot breath in the first day, then runny nose.
2. Day 2 onwards, children begin to fever 38-39 degrees C.
3. Day 3, the fever may have a slight fever.
4. After 7 days, the fever will go away, sometimes until 10 days.
5. Nasal congestion, runny nose, neck irritation, coughing up sputum, lethargy and no appetite.

Sore throat

Occurs at any age, often in school age, 3-15 years old, rarely seen in children under 3 years old.

The disease can be caused by viruses (80%) or bacteria: bacteria are usually streptococci, viruses usually rhinovirus, coxsackie .

Clinical signs:

1. Fever, sluggish.
2. A runny nose, stuffy nose.
3. Sore throat, pain when swallowing, pain spread to the ear.
4. Muscle and joint pain.

Acute tonsillitis

The tonsils are lymphatic, on both sides of the throat, are very susceptible to inflammation especially in children under 6 years old, easy to diagnose and detect. The disease is often caused by Hemophilus and Streptococcus bacteria.

Some clinical manifestations:

1. Fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty swallowing.
2. Red tonsils swollen, with pus.
3. Palpation of the lymph nodes: soft, swollen and painful on both sides.
4. There may be complications of inflammation and abscess around the tonsils.

VA inflammation

Usually in children from 6 months to 4 years old, but sometimes in older children.

Expression of the disease:

1. Children with fever over 38 degrees C.
2. Runny nose: at first in, thin; After mucus, pus.
3. Children also have a stuffy nose.
4. The disease is often accompanied by cough; If there is complications of bronchitis, cough will become much more severe.
5. In addition, children may be tired, anorexia, crying .

Acute bronchitis

This is an inflammation of the edema of the glottis. Usually due to Parainfluenza virus (75%), then RSV, Adenovirus, Influenza virus, sometimes caused by bacteria such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Occurs in children 3 months to 6 years (peak 1-2 years).

Patients may have signs of airway obstruction or risk of airway obstruction such as drowsiness, cyanosis, tiredness and exhaustion, severe chest contraction.

Pneumonia

An inflammatory disease of the lungs caused by infectious agents.

Agent:

1. Pneumococcus and Haemophillus influenzae are common in children under 5 years old.
2. Mycoplasma pneumoniae and pneumococcus are common in children over 5 years old.

Clinical: Fever, cough, rapid breathing, difficulty breathing.

X-rays are the main standard of diagnosis. However, X-rays cannot help distinguish between viral and bacterial pneumonia.

Bronchiolitis

Is an acute viral infection of the virus of small & moderate bronchitis, occurs in children under 2 years old.

Causes of RSV, Adenovirus, parainfluenza, influenza virus, human metapneumovirus, mycoplasma . The disease starts slowly with mild fever, cough, runny nose, wheezing, difficulty breathing (usually day 3 to 4).

Asthma

A chronic inflammation of the airways associated with increased airway reaction.

Diagnosis of asthma attacks:

- History of asthma attack or asthma diagnosis or difficulty breathing decreased when using Salbutamol.

- Clinical: Cough, wheezing, shortness of breath.

- Exam: Hear the sound of rattling, snoring .

- Excluding other causes of wheezing: foreign object of airway, bronchiolitis.