Treatment of upper respiratory infections in children

Symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections are diverse, in 40% of cases the disease is accompanied by a cough.

Coughing - a rapid increase in the intrathoracic pressure (up to 300 cm H2O) due to muscle contraction (from the larynx to the pelvic diaphragm), which facilitates the extrusion of sputum from the small bronchi into the large ones. With the rapid opening of the glottis the air leaves at a speed of up to 200-300 m / s, clearing the bronchi. Rare cough pushes are physiological, they remove the accumulation of mucus and saliva above the entrance to the larynx.

The appearance of a cough pathognomonic for the pathology of the upper respiratory tract (laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis). Cough due to acute illness of the upper respiratory tract, has a number of typical features:

• unproductiveness or low productivity;
• high intensity;
• paroxysmal;
• pain of tracheal type.

To start the disease is characterized by a dry cough (unproductive). Not leading to sputum discharge and subjectively perceived as obtrusive. The intensity and nature of the cough vary depending on the etiologic factor. With influenza and influenza-like acute respiratory viral infection, the mucous membrane of the larynx and trachea is initially affected, it is clinically manifested by attacks of dry, unproductive cough, which considerably increases the course of the disease. At children at the raised temperature long attacks of tussis provoke development of a serious hyperthermia. Increasing the risk of febrile seizures and the need for antipyretic drugs. With intensive and unproductive cough, entire layers of the ciliated epithelium break out of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, which leads to an even greater disruption of the drainage function.

Attacks of unproductive or ineffective cough in children worsen the quality of life of the child, lead to sleep disturbance and are hard for adults who are around the child. With the passage of time, the cough is moistened, however, for ARVI (in both adults and children), excessive formation of viscous sputum is not characteristic. A prolonged cough (more than 2 weeks) after ARI is observed quite often (more than 50% of children with adenovirus infection cough more than 20 days). This cough is associated with a fading inflammatory process and the post-infection hypersensitivity of cough receptors.

According to modern clinical recommendations, the main goal of treatment of acute bronchitis is to alleviate the severity of cough and reduce its duration. According to pharmacoepidemiological studies, the main types of interventions used to treat ARVI. Accompanied by cough, are non-drug treatment, the use of expectorants and antitussives.

Among all the medicines used to treat cough. The most justified use of drugs that affect simultaneously several components of the pathological process and have a modeling effect on cough. It is these properties have combined drugs that have antitussive. Anti-inflammatory. Expectorant properties and improving the regeneration of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. Their positive effect is based on increasing the cough threshold, reducing the intensity of cough and increasing its productivity. These funds shorten the cough period in cases of debilitating cough, which significantly impairs the quality of life and leads to a sleep disorder. In the presence of viscous sputum, a combination of expectorants with antitussives can reduce the intensity of cough, increase spitting and make the cough more productive.

Kodelak FITO is a modern medicinal preparation, which contains codeine in subtherapeutic dosage and phyto-components (extract of dry thermopsis, thick licorice root extract, thyme extract of liquid). In the development of the drug, a thorough clinical and pharmacological analysis of the properties of each component was carried out, and an optimal combination of combinations and doses was chosen, which, with the preservation of the positive properties of each component, reduced their dose and avoided the development of side effects. Each component of Kodelak's FITO has a specific effect on the pathogenesis of cough.

1. Codeine, an alkaloid of the phenanthrene series, is an agonist of opioid receptors, has an antitussive effect, reduces the excitability of the cough center. Kodelak's codeine is included in the subtherapeutic dosage, which does not inhibit the cough center, but only reduces the intensity of cough, contributing to a more effective cleansing of the bronchi from sputum.

According to the world's leading and domestic sources of medicines information, codeine is characterized by a high degree of safety, including when used in children's practice, and causes serious side effects only with prolonged use in high doses.

Codeine safety in children's practice is confirmed by many sources: in the British pharmacopeia Martindale it is allowed to use codeine as an anesthetic for newborns at a dose of 1 mg / kg with a low risk of oppression of the respiratory center: according to a systematic review prepared by experts from the Cochrane Collaboration. In a number of randomized controlled trials of the use of codeine for cough relief in children, no side effects have been identified.

2. The herb of thermopsis contains isoquinoline alkaloids, which:
   • increase the secretory function of the bronchial glands;
   • intensify the activity of the ciliary epithelium;
   • accelerate the evacuation of secretions;
   • excite the respiratory center;
   • increase the tone of the smooth muscles of the bronchi due to the central vagotrogenic effect.
3. Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which:
   • being exposed in the body to metabolic transformations, has an anti-inflammatory effect similar to glucocorticosteroids. Manifested in the relief of inflammatory reactions caused by histamine, serotonin, bradykinin;
   • stimulates the activity of ciliary epithelium in the trachea and bronchi;
   • strengthens the secretory function of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract;
   • has an antispasmodic effect on smooth muscles.
4. Extract of herb thyme contains a mixture of essential oils that have:
   • expectorant, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal action;
   • as well as spasmolytic and reparative properties.

Thanks to the above mentioned properties, Codelac FITO is characterized by a unique ability to simultaneously influence the central and peripheral links of the pathogenesis of cough in ARVI and to have a modeling effect on cough, based on the increase in the cough threshold. Reducing the intensity of cough and increasing its productivity.