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Rhinopharyngitis (runny nose) in a child
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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Acute nasopharyngitis (synonyms: nasopharyngitis, rhinitis, runny nose.)
Acute nasopharyngitis is an acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal passages and the mucous membrane and lymphoid elements of the posterior pharyngeal wall.
ICD-10 code
J00 Acute nasopharyngitis (runny nose).
Epidemiology of rhinitis in children
Among upper respiratory tract infections, acute nasopharyngitis (runny nose) accounts for about 70% of all upper respiratory tract diseases in children, and the frequency of episodes of acute nasopharyngitis can reach 6-8 times a year in preschool children; at an older age, the incidence of acute nasopharyngitis decreases to 2-4 episodes per year.
Classification of runny nose in children
Acute nasopharyngitis is classified by its course and the presence of complications. Acute nasopharyngitis (runny nose) can be mild or severe, as well as uncomplicated or complicated.
Causes of a runny nose in a child
The main causative agents of acute nasopharyngitis (runny nose) are viruses. These are primarily rhinoviruses (45% of all cases of the disease), less often - PC virus, ECHO viruses, coronaviruses, parainfluenza viruses and adenoviruses, as well as influenza B viruses.
Bacterial pathogens are less common, but still cause nasopharyngitis. The most common of these are Mycoplasma pneumoniae, much less common is Chlamydoia pneumoniae, and even less common is Ch. psittaci.
What causes a runny nose in a child?
Symptoms of a runny nose in a child
Symptoms of acute rhinitis or nasopharyngitis (nasopharyngitis) are characteristic. The incubation period is usually 2-4 days. The disease begins with nasal congestion, impaired nasal breathing, then rhinorrhea, cough and sneezing appear. A night cough is possible, usually at the beginning of the night. Such a cough occurs due to mucus flowing down the back of the throat, the so-called drip syndrome.
Depending on the type of pathogen and the child's reactivity, nasopharyngitis (runny nose) may be accompanied by a feverish reaction. Other common symptoms include hyperemia and swelling of the mucous membrane of the pharynx in the area of the back wall of the pharynx, some pain when swallowing, which sometimes causes the child or teenager to refuse food and even urge to vomit. General malaise and cough are noted due to irritation and dryness of the mucous membrane of the pharynx when breathing through the mouth.
Symptoms of a runny nose in a child
Diagnosis of a runny nose in a child
Diagnosis is based on epidemiological history, clinical picture and rhinoscopy data.
Laboratory diagnostics
In severe cases of acute nasopharyngitis and in cases of hospitalization, which is most typical for children in the first three years of life, a peripheral blood test is performed, which in uncomplicated cases reveals a normal leukogram or a tendency towards leukopenia, lymphocytosis.
Identification of viral pathogens of acute nasopharyngitis is carried out only in severe cases of the disease in cases of hospitalization of the child. To determine viral antigens, the reaction of immunofluorescence of prints from the nasal mucosa is used. In recent years, it has become possible to use the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify a wide range of respiratory viruses.
Treatment of a runny nose in a child is determined by the child’s age and the severity of the disease itself.
Diagnosis of a runny nose in a child
Treatment of a runny nose in a child should be started in the first 2 days of the disease; the most effective therapy is started in the first hours of the disease. The volume and program of treatment are determined by the severity of the disease, the health condition and age of the child, the development of complications or the risk of their development. Therapy may be limited to the prescription of vasoconstrictor intranasal drops. In children who are often ill, or in severe cases of the disease, or in the development of complications, therapy can be quite extensive. When therapy is prescribed in the first 2 days of the disease, these measures have a therapeutic effect proven in placebo-controlled studies.
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