Mostly benign, nasopharyngitis is the most common viral infection in young children. Although it heals spontaneously within a few days, the pathology requires special attention in babies. When it occurs before the age of 3 months, nasopharyngitis may require hospitalization. What are the main symptoms of the disease in toddlers? What support does she receive?
1. Baby nasopharyngitis: symptoms
Many viruses can cause nasopharyngitis in babies and young children. It is also this great diversity which explains, in part, the frequency of this pathology within this population. Rhinoviruses are among the viral strains most often incriminated, followed by coronaviruses (according to the Public Health Information Service). Depending on the viral agent, the incubation time varies between approximately 1 to 7 days. Generally, fever (38/39°C) represents the first clinical manifestation of infection. Very quickly, it is accompanied by obstruction and a runny nose. Initially, the secretions remain clear, even translucent, before gradually thickening and turning yellow or green. It is not uncommon for the clinical picture of nasopharyngitis to be supplemented by a sore throat which will result, in young children, in a refusal to hydrate and/or eat. A cough may then take over, persisting for up to ten days.
2. Factors favoring nasopharyngitis in babies
Very common in fall and winter, nasopharyngitis mainly affects children between 5 months and 8 years old. But it can happen that the viral infection affects even younger people. Several factors thus contribute to increasing the risk of transmission of one of the viruses responsible for the pathology to infants:
- Community childcare: the nursery represents a breeding ground for the transmission of viruses and bacteria.
- Gastroesophageal reflux: this disorder promotes irritation of the pharynx.
- Exposure to tobacco: passive smoking helps reduce the mobility of the cilia which line the respiratory mucosa and participate in the elimination of mucus.
- A familial atopic condition: there are genetic predispositions conducive to the development of certain respiratory allergies.
- No or too short breastfeeding: breastfeeding helps strengthen the baby’s immune system.
3. Baby nasopharyngitis: the consultation
It is not necessarily necessary to immediately consult your doctor when your baby has a runny nose for the umpteenth time. However, certain situations require special attention. This is the case, in particular, for babies under 3 months who have a fever or for all children who have a fever greater than or equal to 40°C. Likewise, it is imperative to consult a doctor or contact an emergency service when a baby seems to have breathing difficulties, disturbances of consciousness (drowsiness, lethargy, etc.) or signs of cyanosis. Diarrhea and vomiting are also reasons for consultation, as these symptoms increase the risk of dehydration. In young children, often affected by the pathology, it is not always necessary to worry. As long as his general condition is good and he is eating correctly, certain simple measures will help to relieve him until the symptoms disappear. If these worsen, however, it is strongly recommended to contact the infant’s doctor.
4. Treatment of nasopharyngitis
Like all viral diseases, nasopharyngitis does not require the use of antibiotics which are only reserved for bacterial infections. Only the different symptoms will thus be subject to individualized treatment. Fever, for example, can be controlled by the administration of an antipyretic molecule initially prescribed by the attending physician, just like sore throat with an analgesic. In the majority of cases, paracetamol should be preferred and always administered after medical authorization. However, a low to moderate fever (less than 38.5°C) does not necessarily require drug treatment, as long as it is well tolerated by the child. To relieve a runny nose, sprays to spray into the baby’s nose are strongly contraindicated. Careful and regular washing with physiological serum is enough to promote unblocking and better breathing. The cough, for its part, does not require special treatment and will disappear spontaneously.
Sources
- Childhood nasopharyngitis, Public Health Information Service, February 13, 2024
- Childhood nasopharyngitis, V. Couloigner & T. Van Den Abbeele, EMC — Otolaryngology, Elsevier, available on The National Library of Medicine, April 27, 2004