Today we suggest you talk on a very interesting topic. Surely not everyone knows that some infections that can be transmitted exclusively through sexual contact can occur not only in the urogenital area. One of these diseases is gonococcal pharyngitis.
This disease is called specific. What is the reason for this? The fact is that the only source of the disease is gonococcus. This pathology has a number of features that are observed both in the course of the disease and in treatment. You can read about all this in this article. In addition, we focus on the treatment and prevention of the disease.
Etiology
Gonococcal pharyngitis, a photo of which is presented in this section of the article, as mentioned earlier, has one pathogen - gonococcus. Development can take place in isolation or in conjunction with urogenital pathology. The infection affects not only the back wall of the pharynx, but also other organs that are in the neighborhood:
- on the larynx;
- tonsils;
- nasal cavity.
As a rule, gonococcal pharyngitis is asymptomatic. The clinical picture is very similar to ordinary pharyngitis. However, one single difference can be noted - the initial signs of the disease either appear or disappear (regardless of treatment).
If you do not fight the infection, then you can get a complication - gonococcal tonsillitis.
Causes of the disease
In this section, we suggest that you deal with the causes of gonococcal pharyngitis. This disease is also often called gonorrheal pharyngitis, and gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease. However, unprotected intercourse is not the only way to become infected.
We list all the possible methods of infection:
- oral-genital contact with the carrier of infection;
- use of a common towel;
- use of some cutlery with a sick person;
- contact of the baby with the genitals of the mother during childbirth;
- kiss with the carrier of the infection.
As you can see, we have identified both the household and perinatal pathways of infection.
What factors provoke the disease? These include:
- non-observance of personal hygiene;
- the possibility of unprotected intercourse;
- weakened immunity.
Infection can occur in people of any age category.
Symptoms in adults
What are the symptoms of gonococcal pharyngitis? As mentioned earlier, as a rule, the disease is asymptomatic. Very rarely, the patient may complain of the following manifestations:
- dry throat;
- sore throat;
- sore throat;
- fever;
- hoarseness of voice;
- bleeding gums;
- bad breath.
When viewed, you can notice the following changes:
- hyperemia and swelling of the mucous membrane of the oropharynx;
- foci having a yellow-gray coating;
- individual follicles (red grains);
- enlarged lymph nodes.
Inflammation with gonococcal pharyngitis can spread to the oral cavity, palate, gums.
Symptoms in children
It is much more difficult for small children to endure the disease. The signs of gonococcal pharyngitis are brighter and more diverse. The inflammatory process very quickly captures the nasal mucosa, which has a number of unpleasant symptoms.
In addition, in some children, swelling of the eyelids and their redness can be noticed. After a short period of time after infection, in some cases, photosensitivity and accumulation of pus in the corners of the eyes are observed.
Diagnosis of the disease
Now briefly about the diagnosis of gonococcal pharyngitis. Before this, it is important to note the following fact: the bacterium that is the causative agent of this disease dies very quickly if it enters the external environment. Gonococcus is not resistant to temperature fluctuations. That is, the bacterium instantly dies if it gets into the heat (above fifty degrees Celsius) or cold.
To make an accurate diagnosis, you need to go to the otolaryngologist. He must conduct a survey of the patient and examination of the throat mucosa. If symptoms of gonococcal pharyngitis are identified, then to confirm the diagnosis of the patient will be sent to a number of studies:
- bacteriological smear from the larynx (confirms or refutes the presence of infection, the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics is checked);
- smear from the urogenital tract (for accurate confirmation of the diagnosis);
- KLA (general blood test);
- OAM (general urinalysis).
Only after all studies, the doctor will be able to prescribe complex therapy to the patient. And you will learn more about this later.
Infection treatment
How is gonococcal pharyngitis treated? Before we move on to this issue, I want to remind you once again: gonorrhea is a very serious disease, so you should not engage in self-medication and self-diagnosis. At the first sign, contact a specialist, because improper therapy or its absence can lead to serious and very unpleasant consequences.
Therapy for gonococcal infection is carried out behind the doors of specialists such as a urologist, venereologist or gynecologist.
As already mentioned, therapy is complex. It includes:
- general recommendations;
- drug treatment;
- use of folk remedies;
- physiotherapeutic procedures.
We will talk about each method separately.
Recommendations
Let's start with general recommendations that should be followed by everyone who has been given this diagnosis.
The first is a change in diet. What does it consist of? The patient should eat only soft, chopped and warm foods. Solid food will adversely affect the already inflamed mucous membrane of the throat. Food should not cause discomfort while swallowing. Spicy, salty, sour and bitter foods can irritate the mucous membranes.
The second tip is a complete rejection of alcohol. The amount of fluid consumed per day must be increased to two or even three liters. It does not have to be pure water, the main thing is that the drink is warm. Water can be replaced with herbal tea or fruit drink.
The third recommendation is bed rest. If this is not possible, then try to reduce physical activity. During the period of illness, it is highly recommended not to walk or ride a bike a lot.
Fourth, do not visit crowded places where you can become a source of infection. This is especially true for the pool.
Fifth - compliance with the rules of personal hygiene. After going to the toilet, do not forget to wash your hands with soap and water, use individual cutlery.
In the presence of gonococcal rashes or plaque, do not crush or clean them. This can lead to a rapid spread of infection. If a man has pus in the urethra during gonorrhea, then it is strictly forbidden to squeeze it out.
Drug therapy
Considering the signs and treatment of gonococcal pharyngitis, we can not pass by drug therapy. The basis is antibiotics. Antibacterial drugs are designed to fight the causative agent of the disease itself (that is, with gonococcus). What antibiotics can your doctor prescribe? These include:
- Amoxicillin;
- "Azithromycin";
- Ceftriaxone;
- Levofloxacin;
- "Cefixime";
- Ofloxacin.
In addition to antibiotics, it is necessary to use antiseptic and antihistamines, immunomodulators and drugs that strengthen the cardiovascular system.
Local treatment:
- gargling (to prevent the spread of infection and reduce inflammation);
- inhalation and antiseptic sprays.
How to gargle with this disease? Antiseptic drugs that can be purchased at the pharmacy:
- "Horacept";
- hydrogen peroxide (3%);
- Chlorophyllipt;
- "Furacilin".
It is also necessary to treat the throat with a solution of Protargol (2%) and irrigate with Miramistin.
After completing the course of treatment, the doctor prescribes probiotics that normalize the intestinal microflora. It is also necessary to take tests again. If an infection is detected, then the course of treatment continues.
ethnoscience
Completely treating the infection with traditional medicine is highly not recommended. However, using it as an adjunct therapy will not harm.
Gargling can help you:
- sea salt;
- a decoction of chamomile;
- oak bark;
- sage;
- calendula.
Infection during pregnancy
With gonococcal pharyngitis during pregnancy, antibiotics are also used. The doctor measures the risk for the baby with the benefit for the mother and prescribes treatment. If not contraindicated, then physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
Physiotherapy is prescribed only if there is no acute inflammatory process. Applied (to the throat):
- UHF;
- Ural federal district;
- electrophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- laser therapy.
Complications
Lack of treatment or improperly selected therapy can lead to serious problems:
- The spread of infection to neighboring organs.
- Chronic sore throat.
- Secondary infertility in women.
Prevention
We turn to the issue of prevention of gonococcal pharyngitis. It is very important to note the following: after you have suffered this disease, your defense system ceases to develop immunity against it. Based on this, the likelihood of re-infection is very high.
How should infection be protected?
- Condom use during sexual intercourse.
- Avoiding casual relationships.
- If, after unprotected intercourse, you urinate and wash your genitals with warm water and soap, then there is a chance that the infection will “wash off”.
- It is necessary to rinse your mouth with disinfectant solutions after oral sex.
- An examination of all persons with whom an infected person has contacted is necessary.
- If one of the family members is infected, then it is imperative to examine the children (especially for girls).
- Always follow the rules of personal hygiene (wash hands, use personal dishes, and so on).
- Do not forget to have a medical examination at least once every six months.
These simple tips will help prevent infection with a dangerous infection like gonococcus.