Do children with acute laryngitis have a fever?

Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Acute laryngitis may occur with or without fever. For children, acute laryngitis is primarily a local symptom, but because children generally do not have robust immune function, local infections can easily lead to systemic symptoms. Among systemic symptoms, acute laryngitis frequently manifests as fever, typically presenting as either mild or high fever. It is relatively rare to see extremely high fever. Therefore, it is usually recommended that if the fever exceeds 38 degrees Celsius, or if the child appears lethargic during the fever, oral administration or rectal insertion of ibuprofen suppositories or acetaminophen suppositories can be effective treatments.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
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What causes acute laryngitis in children?

Pediatric acute laryngitis is generally considered to be an infection, with viral infections being most common, accounting for about 80% of cases. This includes respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, and Coxsackievirus, all of which can cause acute laryngitis. Of course, there are also cases caused by bacterial infections, with gram-positive bacteria being more common. Additionally, special circumstances such as procedures, gastroscopy, bronchoscopy, etc., can cause laryngeal injuries, or the ingestion of irritant food items might also damage the laryngeal tissues, subsequently leading to symptoms of laryngitis.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
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Is acute laryngitis in children contagious?

Is acute laryngitis in children contagious? It depends on the pathogen causing the infection. If the infecting pathogen is contagious, then certainly it can be transmitted. If the infecting pathogen is not infectious, then of course it will not be contagious. Contagious examples include diphtheria, influenza virus, and Coxsackie virus, which can cause transmission, so it is important to isolate as much as possible. If it is a bacterial infection, it is generally not contagious. Therefore, one cannot simply say whether acute laryngitis in children is contagious or not; it depends on what the infection source is for this particular case to determine whether it is contagious or not.

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Pediatrics
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Can acute laryngitis in children be cured?

Acute laryngitis in children is a self-healing disease, mostly caused by inflammation or injury. Controlling the inflammation or reducing the damage generally allows for self-healing. However, it is of course best to treat according to the cause during the process, eliminate the cause, and then promote the repair of the mucous membrane to achieve cure. Treatment of acute laryngitis in children generally includes symptomatic and etiological treatment. Especially, symptomatic treatment is very important, especially in reducing the severity of laryngeal obstruction.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
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Can children with acute laryngitis eat?

Simple acute laryngitis generally allows for eating, unless there are accompanying gastrointestinal symptoms such as repeated vomiting. Additionally, if the laryngitis causes especially severe symptoms of laryngeal obstruction that prevent the swallowing of food, it is advisable to temporarily withhold feeding and wait for the condition to improve before resuming feeding. Therefore, in cases of acute laryngitis without complications, eating is necessary, but it is recommended to stick to a light diet that is easier for children to digest, making it more comfortable for them.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
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Does acute laryngitis in children require hospitalization?

This issue, depending on the child’s clinical symptoms and signs, needs to be treated differently. If hospitalization is necessary, it generally manifests as poor spirits and signs of laryngeal obstruction. Or, if in the outpatient hospital treatment through oral and nebulized therapies are ineffective, hospital admission may be considered, especially with careful observation for progression of laryngeal obstruction. Some children may also have persistent high fever that does not subside, possibly leading to convulsions and dehydration. After admission, close monitoring of vital signs and management of complications can be provided.