Infectious allergy, what it is, causes, symptoms, treatment

General information

Viral allergies occur as a result of the penetration of various viruses .

The body’s immune system produces an appropriate reaction, releasing an increased number of mast cells, which must fight pathogenic microflora.

With increased sensitivity of the body to this irritant (virus cells), mast cells are destroyed, resulting in the release of a substance into the body - histamine , which is toxic and leads to the development of symptoms characteristic of allergies.

Moreover, this reaction can occur not only to the presence of the virus itself, but also to the waste products of this microorganism.

There is also such a thing as an infectious allergy, which occurs when not only viral cells enter the child’s body, but also various types of bacteria and fungal microorganisms.

This type of allergic reaction develops against the background of other diseases, the causative agents of which are one or another infection.

How to quickly cure ARVI in a child.

It is impossible to quickly cure any disease, since the main work in treatment is performed by our body. We can only speed up this process by supporting it with medications and strengthening the immune system.

Before complex treatment, you should find out whether the child really has ARVI or another disease. In such cases, it is better to take the child to the doctor so that he can make an accurate diagnosis.

To speed up your child’s recovery, follow the rules of patient care. The atmosphere in which a child is located is important for the body. It is also necessary to isolate him from healthy children, avoiding transmission of infection to other people. Bed rest is an important element necessary to avoid physical overexertion.

It will allow you not to waste the necessary energy, directing it to destroying the infection. Don't forget about drinking plenty of fluids. At high temperatures, children's bodies overheat, losing large amounts of water. To prevent dehydration, provide your child with sufficient fluids.

Note: Do not rush to lower the temperature immediately. An increase in temperature is a natural response of the body to the penetration of foreign viruses and bacteria. It helps the body cope with infection by releasing antibodies.

What is an allergen?

Infectious viral allergies occur in a child when his body comes into contact with:

1. Cells of viruses (enterovirus, influenza or herpes virus, other types of pathogen).
2. Bacterial infection (pneumococci, streptococci, bacteria that cause the development of tuberculosis, leprosy, syphilis, and other dangerous diseases).
3. Fungal microorganisms (causative agents of diseases such as candidiasis, onychomycosis, mycosis).
4. Pathogenic single-celled organisms (causative agents of trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, giardiasis).
5. Parasites (for example, roundworms, pinworms, which affect internal organs, reduce their functionality and disrupt the functioning of the immune system as a whole).

Causes

of an infectious agent into the child’s body

Such microorganisms are considered to be influenza viruses, herpes, intestinal viruses, streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, fungal infections, and parasitic infections.

In addition, it is necessary that the child’s body is highly sensitive to the microorganism and its waste products.

In order for a child to have an allergic reaction to viruses, bacteria and other pathogenic microflora, the following factors must be present :

1. Long-term course of the underlying disease and lack of timely and correct therapy.
2. Penetration of a pathogenic microorganism into the cells of the child’s body.
3. The presence of a chronic source of inflammation in the child’s body.

The development of the disease can be provoked by such serious diseases as: syphilis, tuberculosis, leprosy, anthrax, plague, dysentery, typhoid, brucellosis, fungal infections of the skin and internal organs.

Even a small amount of pathogenic microorganisms in a child’s body can cause an allergic reaction.

This situation arises, for example, when conducting certain infectious tests (such as the Mantoux reaction), when a small amount of a drug containing a virus or other infection is injected into the child’s body to determine its sensitivity.

Can allergies in children have a cumulative effect? Find out about this from our article.

Possible complications

Allergies caused by infection can be complicated by autoimmune pathologies, diseases of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

The most dangerous consequences are:

• Loeffler's syndrome (eosinophilic pneumonia due to parasite infection);
• periarteritis nodosa;
• infectious-allergic bronchial asthma, arthritis;
• tropical pulmonary eosinophilia;
• Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock.

Children with high immune reactivity may develop endocarditis or Loeffler's myocarditis - damage to the heart due to the accumulation of eosinophils in its muscle and inner lining.

Classification and types

Depending on what caused the development of the allergic reaction, the following types of infectious allergies are distinguished:

• viral (developing as a result of the penetration of a pathogenic virus into the child’s body);
• bacterial (occurring upon contact with pathogenic bacteria);
• fungal (occurs when a fungal infection of the body, that is, the skin, nails, internal organs).

Symptoms and signs

Viral allergies in a child - photo:

The development of viral allergies can be recognized by the following characteristic manifestations of this disease, such as:

1. Redness of certain areas of the body, the formation of specific nodular or vesicular rashes on them.
2. Severe itching of the skin.
3. Nasal congestion, the appearance of clear discharge from the nasal cavity.
4. Watery eyes, development of signs of conjunctivitis.
5. Disruption of the digestive system, manifested in the form of painful sensations in the abdomen, stool disorders, and the appearance of vomiting.
6. Severe dry cough, attacks of which cause serious discomfort to the child.
7. Difficulty breathing, the child develops shortness of breath, breathing becomes heavy and noisy.
8. Enlarged lymph nodes, most often located in the area where the virus enters the body.
9. Increased body temperature (sometimes hyperthermia occurs suddenly, temperature readings reach high levels).

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Diagnostics

Making a diagnosis begins with collecting a history of the disease.

In particular, the doctor identifies the increased sensitivity of the child’s body to allergic reactions, burdened heredity, conditions under which characteristic allergy symptoms (whether the child had any viral disease, the nature and duration of its course).

It also matters how often a child suffers from viral diseases, since children who are most susceptible to their development are more likely to develop the corresponding type of allergy.

Next, the patient is examined and characteristic symptoms of the pathology are identified. It is also necessary to conduct laboratory tests , in particular, a blood test to determine the number of mast cells and the rate of their decay.

Differential

When an infectious allergy occurs, it is very important to identify the cause of this reaction of the child’s body, that is, the specific pathogen.

Differential diagnosis of post-vaccination allergies is carried out. To do this, the child is prescribed various tests (skin or subcutaneous), for example, the Mantoux reaction.

After this, the doctor observes the reaction of the little patient’s body. If there is an allergy, after such tests the child develops the corresponding symptoms of the disease, in particular:

• redness of the skin at the injection site, the appearance of a painful papular formation in this area;
• death of tissue cells in this area;
• deterioration in the child’s general well-being.

If we consider the reverse development of the “chain reaction”?

On the “convenient substrate” of an existing allergy, protective mechanisms work in a specific way, thereby creating favorable conditions for the addition of viral infections (not only viral ones). The longer a person suffers from allergies, the more confidently he develops a tendency to become infected and the conditions are created for the persistence of the pathogen.

For example, the most commonplace allergic rhinitis, if left without therapeutic attention, can result in sinusitis or even otitis media. The modified course of the disease, which is facilitated by allergies, slows down the process of diagnosis and prescription of adequate treatment. This means that it leads to another unpleasant, but probable process - the occurrence of complications.

Let's consider the described options in more detail.

Treatment

The main method of treatment is taking medications prescribed by a doctor .

Allergies can be caused by various reasons (bacteria, viruses, fungi), so only a doctor should select a medicine based on this reason.

Thus, antiviral drugs will not give any effect for bacterial or fungal allergies, while they cope quite effectively with the viral type of the disease. Therefore, before starting treatment, it is necessary to identify the allergen , and only a doctor can do this in a clinic.

Medication

The child is prescribed the following groups of medications:

1. Antihistamines (Loratadine, Citrine) to eliminate manifestations of an allergic reaction.
2. Antiviral agents (drugs containing ready-made interferon, for example, Viferon, or agents that activate its production by the body itself, for example, Cycloferon, Amiksin). It is important to remember that certain drugs are effective only against certain viruses. For example, for the herpes virus, Acyclovir or Isoprinosine are most often prescribed, for influenza viruses - Gripovir and other similar drugs.
3. Antibacterial drugs for bacterial allergies (Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, topical products containing antibiotics, for example, Tetracycline ointment, if there is a bacterial infection of the skin).
4. Antifungal agents in the presence of a fungal infection (Chamicin, Nystatin).

Traditional medicine

Time-tested traditional medicine will help relieve unpleasant allergy symptoms. sea buckthorn oil or rosehip oil helps well against rashes and itching .

be applied to the affected areas of the skin several times a day . The oil has a calming, anti-inflammatory effect and promotes rapid regeneration of damaged skin. For the same purposes, you can use fresh sea buckthorn berries or rose hips.

An infusion of dandelion leaves has a pronounced general strengthening effect and helps the child’s body cope better with pathogenic viruses.

To prepare the product you need to take 2 tbsp. crushed leaves, pour a glass of boiling water over them.

Give your child half a glass 2 times a day.

other methods

If the child’s body is prone to viral allergies, it is necessary to take measures to strengthen the immune system . For this, a course of immunotherapy with drugs prescribed by a doctor is recommended.

In addition, it is important to adjust the baby’s lifestyle, provide him with a long stay in the fresh air, and adequate physical activity.

In some cases, the baby is prescribed minimal doses of the allergen. This helps to rebuild the child’s immunity, getting his body accustomed to the presence of the pathogen.

Prevention

To prevent the development of allergic attacks it is necessary:

• identify and treat infectious diseases in a timely manner;
• to live an active lifestyle;
• Healthy food;
• eliminate foci of infection that exist in the body (for example, caries);
• strengthen the immune system.

An allergic reaction to infections and viruses is a very common phenomenon in children, especially in those who often suffer from various types of diseases of a viral or bacterial nature.

In order to get rid of allergy symptoms, it is necessary to identify the causative agent , and only then begin treatment. The success of therapy largely depends on this.

You can learn about the causes of allergies in infectious diseases from the video:

Skin rash: Allergy

Allergies are not always accompanied by skin rashes, but if they appear, you can be sure that it is not a virus. ARVI never causes an itchy rash.

By the way: Weather in the house: 5 cleaning rules for those who suffer from allergies

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