Prevention of upper respiratory tract infections in children
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
The risk of infection with upper respiratory tract infections increases significantly during the autumn and winter period, as well as with crowded living, the child's stay in pre-school and school institutions, social events with a large number of people, frequent use of public transport, and for young children, a family of older brothers and sisters attending a kindergarten or school. That is why the prevention of upper respiratory infections should be carried out mainly in high-risk groups of children. These include children attending kindergartens and schools, as well as children who are often ill and suffer from chronic lung pathology.
In the autumn-winter period, the systemic bacterial immunocorrector ribomunil, the systemic bacterial immunocorrector bronchomunal, the topical bacterial immunocorrector imudon, the topical bacterial immunocorrector IRS 19, are used prophylactically. All of them are prescribed 2-3 months before the outbreak of the acute respiratory disease.
- Ribomunil is prescribed regardless of age (children over 6 months of age) for 1 dose in the morning on an empty stomach in the 1st month daily or in the first 4 days of each week for 3 weeks. In the next 5 months - in the first 4 days of each month.
- Bronchomunal appoint children from 6 months to 12 years for 3.5 mg, children over 12 years - 7 mg in the morning on an empty stomach 1 time per day for 10 days, then after a 20-day interval, 2 more times for 10 days.
- Imudon prescribe to children over 3 years of age 1 tablet for resorption 4 times a day with a course of 20 days.
- IRS 19, a suspension for intranasal administration in the form of a spray, is prescribed for children over 3 years of age for 1 dose in each nasal passage 2 times a day for a course of 14 to 30 days.
It must be remembered that all these immunocorrectors have side effects in the form of a reaction from the digestive system and allergic reactions.
For the purpose of prevention, homoeopathic preparations are also prescribed, for example:
- Oscillococcinum 1 dose (1 tube) to dissolve in 1/2 cup water once a week for 4 weeks to children of all ages;
- anaferon for children 1 tablet sublingually per day for children from 6 months to 3 months;
- aflubin for 5 drops for children from 6 months to 12 years, children over 12 years of 10 drops. Dissolve in 15 ml of water 2 times a day;
- Influcidum for children from 3 to 6 years for 1/2 tablet 2 times a day, over 6 years, 1 tablet sublingually 2 times a day, 1 month.
Homeopathic preparations practically do not have side effects, they rarely cause allergic reactions, they can be prescribed in the epidemic period of time.
[