Cough and fever in a child

Children's bodies have quite certain differences from adults, so it should not be surprising that a child can get a disease that in adulthood many people do not even remember (or do not know at all). And "adult" diseases in a child run differently: sharper, with pronounced symptoms, although outwardly it may seem that the child is not bothered much.

Acute viral infections occur with a rapid and severe rise in temperature. The mechanism of thermoregulation in a child is still imperfect, so the appearance of fever in colds and some other diseases should not surprise parents. It is only necessary to monitor that the thermometer column did not rise too high. Temperature up to 38 degrees in viral infections doctors do not advise to knock down. But when it rises further, it is necessary to focus on the condition of the child.

The usual symptoms of colds (cough, runny nose, sneezing, fever, weakness, redness and sore throat) in children are often joined by non-specific symptoms. These include nausea, vomiting, and sometimes even diarrhea. This greatly confuses parents and makes them think of all sorts of scary diagnoses. In fact, we are usually talking about a stronger intoxication than in adults (both in the case of respiratory and food infections).

But do not relax, because high fever and cough in a child can be associated with quite dangerous childhood diseases. It is also important to realize that in some cases, coughing is a symptom of the disease itself, while in others it may indicate the development of dangerous bacterial complications.

Whooping cough is an incredibly contagious infectious disease that affects children from birth to age 14. Vaccinations, of course, reduce the likelihood of infection, but cannot completely eliminate it. In adolescents and adults, the disease usually does not cause the appearance of pronounced acute symptoms, which can not be said about children, who can even die.

Cough and fever in a child may well be the first signs of whooping cough, because they are characteristic of the catarrhal period, although sometimes there is no rise in temperature. But the cough (very characteristic: dry, intrusive, which is difficult to remove even with medication) in children is detected almost always. The symptom worsens as the disease progresses, exhausts the sick child. Previously, it was considered the most specific symptom: coughing attacks occur on exhalation, followed by a "whistling" inhalation. Today, pertussis is diagnosed and such a cough, when a coughing attack occurs immediately after inhalation.

The cough in whooping cough is attack-like. One attack may consist of 3-10 coughing thrusts or more. Sputum is excreted with difficulty, because it is characterized by high viscosity. When coughing, the child's face begins to turn blue, blood vessels in the neck swell, there is a risk of respiratory arrest. Relief comes when the sputum is expectorated or after an act of vomiting.

A high fever in whooping cough lasts only for the first few days, and the cough can torment the baby even for more than 1.5 months. However, gradually the frequency of attacks becomes less, and the cough itself does not differ from the usual cold. But at the same time, the residual cough in the child may remind of itself for another six months. [1]

The diagnosis of "croup" refers to widespread inflammation of both upper and lower respiratory tracts, the causative agent of which is considered to be the parainfluenza virus. The disease covers the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles, internal tissues of the lung. A lot of inflammatory exudate accumulates in the airways and severe edema appears, which leads to a phenomenon called obstruction, i.e., impaired patency of the airways.

This common inflammation is characteristic of young children under 3 years of age, whose immune system is not yet able to fight infection. The beginning of the disease resembles an infection of the upper respiratory system, then the voice becomes hoarse and there is a spastic barking cough, which increases at night. Parents also note noisy, whistling breathing of the child. Listening reveals bilateral rales.

Due to respiratory distress, the child's skin may take on a bluish hue, pulse rate increases, short-term respiratory arrests are possible. In half of babies, the disease occurs with fever.

Measles is not necessarily a childhood disease, but it is much more severe in young children than in schoolchildren and adults. The beginning of the acute period of the disease generally resembles a cold with high fever and cough, which gradually increases. After 2-3 days from the appearance of the first signs of a cold, there is a significant increase in temperature to 39-40 degrees Celsius, and on the skin there is a specific small papular rash, tending to merge into larger foci (first on the neck, then spreads to the body and limbs). Cold symptoms, including cough and fever, subside on day 4-5 after the rash appears. Until then, the child feels unwell and suffers from fever and a painful cough. [2]

Scarlatina is a disease that is usually diagnosed in children 2-8 years old. It is provoked by group A streptococcus. Just like many other diseases of the infectious-inflammatory plan, it often begins in an increase in temperature to 39 degrees, there is a headache, nausea (sometimes vomiting), weakness, the throat becomes very red, swollen and sore, the tongue becomes bright crimson. The temperature holds for about a week. Almost immediately, a fine red rash appears all over the body (except for the nasolabial triangle), which is concentrated in the area of folds in the form of pigmented stripes. [3]

Coughing in scarlet fever is very rare. Usually, this symptom appears in severe course of the disease or its complications, such as pneumonia.

Chickenpox is a childhood disease that can also affect adults, but in the latter it is more severe and prone to various complications. Most often the disease is diagnosed in children under 8 years of age, who have not yet developed immunity to the causative agent (zoster virus). [4]

This pathology begins immediately with a rash that quickly spreads over the body, taking the form of pimples and yellow blisters. Most children tolerate the disease easily, but in some cases it may be markedly feverish during the entire period when the vesicles appear.

Usually vesicular rash resolves without complications: the elements of the rash burst and dry up. If, however, the rash spreads to the mucosa of the throat or face a bacterial complication (the rash in this case begins to suppurate), there is a cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat and other unpleasant symptoms.

If there is no cough or runny nose, but the temperature is high, it is unlikely to be a respiratory illness. If it is not overheating or teething, the temperature rise will be an indicator of ill health. It is likely that we are talking about an inflammatory process, but its localization can be different. Here you need to take into account other emerging symptoms, the condition of the baby, his behavior.

As you can see, the diagnosis of diseases accompanied by cough and fever is not a simple matter. It is very difficult for a non-specialist to understand when it is a trivial cold, and in which cases the child is found to have a life-threatening disease. And is it worth the risk, trying to diagnose the disease on your own and risky prescribing dubious treatment?