In patients with allergies and a tendency to asthma, external factors that have no effect on other people cause inflammation, that is, redness and swelling, in the membrane lining the airways. In inflammation, the mucosa swells and thickens, secretion and mucus secretion increases. With the effect of some intermediary substances we call mediators, blood serum leaks into the membrane (mucosa) lining the inner surface of the airways, that is, the membrane becomes edematous; White cells in the blood migrate into the mucosa, then the blood vessels in the mucosa expand and as a result, the mucosa swells and the airways narrow. Viral upper respiratory tract infections during the winter months are the most important cause of inflammation of the airway edema. Rhinitis, also known as flu or cold, is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Rhinovirus (40% causative agent), Coronavirus, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Adenovirus, Influenza and Parainfluenza viruses are the most common causative agents. Children may catch cold 4-8 times a year, and adults 2-5 times. ACUTE Tonsillopharyngitis (inflammation of the tonsils and throat), another upper respiratory tract infection, is one of the most common infections in childhood. The causative agent is often viruses and the disease can heal on its own. The most common (70%) viruses (Adenovirus, Enterovirus, Parainfluenza, Epstein-Barr (EBV), Herpes simplex virus (HSV), RSV, Influenza A and B, Cytomegalovirus, Rhinovirus are the causative agents. Tonsil and throat infections seen under the age of 3 are usually caused by viruses. Bacteria called Group A Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus also cause throat infections in children between the ages of 5-15 (10-30%). It causes respiratory tract infections to progress with sinusitis or bronchitis in these children.
During flu and colds, increased secretion and secretion accumulate in the sinus cavities.Nasal congestion is common in allergic children because the turbinates in the nose are edematous and swollen due to inflammation, and this occurs during the infection period. As the blockage increases, secretions accumulate in the sinus cavities; oxygen cannot enter there, creating an environment suitable for the growth of microbes. This situation leads to sinusitis, then the infection goes down the bronchi with postnasal drip. It also affects work and bronchitis is added to the picture. Unfortunately, this creates a vicious circle in which allergic children spend the whole winter using antibiotics.
Children whose underlying allergies are not well monitored and whose underlying allergies are not treated are unfortunately subjected to very frequent and unnecessary antibiotic treatment. If a child has frequent upper respiratory tract infections in the autumn and winter months and gets sick again shortly after the antibiotic is stopped, he/she should be evaluated for allergies, the necessary tests should be done and precautions should be taken regarding the allergen to which he/she is allergic, if appropriate, vaccine treatment should be started for the cause, which we call immunotherapy, and should be followed up with preventive treatment.
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