The inflammatory process of the tonsils (tonsillitis or tonsillitis) belongs to the category of diseases of the ENT organs, it is distinguished by its infectious nature. In most cases, the nature of such an ailment is bacterial and is caused mainly by staphylococci or streptococci. As soon as pathogens penetrate the mucous membrane, inflammation begins against the background of a pronounced clinical picture. As a rule, antibiotics are connected to fight the ailment. However, some patients shy away from these medicines. Then a legitimate question may arise - is angina treated without antibiotics?
To answer this question, you will have to familiarize yourself with the existing types of this common disease. In some cases, this is really possible, but here, again, it all depends on the nature of the pathogens.
Forms of the disease
As we know, the development of the inflammatory process (usually of an infectious nature) is due to the harmful effects of various microorganisms - bacteria, viruses, fungi. In this regard, angina is divided into several types:
- viral;
- fungal;
- bacterial;
- ailment caused by blood diseases.
In this case, the exact cause of the disease can only be established by a doctor who takes inoculation from the tonsils to determine the infectious pathogen. In the future, the specialist determines the treatment regimen, and also makes a verdict - is it possible to conduct therapy without the use of antibiotics.
Can a sore throat be cured without antibiotics in a child or adult? Many people tend to believe that without these drugs you can not get rid of any type of disease. In fact, it is fundamentally wrong. After all, it mainly depends on the source of infection.
Viral sore throat
The causative agents of this form of the disease are the following microorganisms:
- adenoviruses;
- Coxsackie viruses of types A and B;
- influenza viruses.
In this case, antibiotic drugs are not used, since the listed pathogens are not able to exert the proper effect. It uses complex therapy, which includes antiviral and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In addition, antiseptic solutions for gargling are used.
Fungal tonsillitis
Most mothers are interested in the question, is it possible to cure a sore throat in a child without antibiotics or not? Here, in most cases of infection, Candida fungus is already acting as a pathogen. And antibiotics are also not used to treat this form of the disease, since they are useless against such a threat. In addition, sometimes they begin to multiply actively just when taking these drugs. In this connection, the emphasis in treatment is exclusively on antifungal drugs and topical antiseptic drugs.
Bacterial infection
The streptococci and staphylococci mentioned at the beginning of the article cause an infection of a bacterial nature. Here is the treatment with antibiotics. The course of treatment using medications of local or symptomatic effect in this case is simply ineffective. As you can see, the question that worries many - is it possible to treat a sore throat without antibiotics in an adult or a child, disappears by itself. Not only possible, but necessary!
But if you do not take antibiotics for a long time, in particular beta-lactam (Ξ²-lactams), then serious complications can subsequently begin, which will already be given with great difficulty to treatment.
Ailment caused by blood diseases
This condition of the body is due to inhibition of immunity due to the influence of various factors:
- ionizing radiation;
- toxic chemical compounds;
- antitumor drugs.
From all the above, one conclusion can be drawn. The use of antibiotics for the treatment of angina is relevant only in the case of the development of a bacterial form of the disease. In all other situations, taking drugs of this group is allowed only with the approval of the attending physician. In this case, the doctor relies on the examination of the patient and his clinical picture.
When antibiotics are simply necessary ...
As we now know, the answer to the question "Is it possible to cure a sore throat without antibiotics" will be in the affirmative. However, in some cases it is impossible to do without the use of antibiotics:
- Increased body temperature for more than 3 days.
- Purulent plaque is visible on the surface of the tonsils.
- The patient's condition remains unchanged during the treatment period and even worsens.
- Symptoms appear that indicate the development of complications - nasal congestion, earache, and urination impairment.
As a rule, while the disease is at an early stage, it makes no sense to take antibiotics. On the contrary, doctors even recommend for the period of treatment to completely refrain from using these drugs. The correct diagnosis, as well as the appointment of certain medications for the treatment of tonsillitis in each case, is the prerogative of the otolaryngologist and no one else.
Moreover, many doctors note that it is quite problematic to completely cure a sore throat without antibiotics in children or adults. Especially considering the nature of the disease itself. Thus, if these drugs are absent in the treatment regimen, the therapy is not highly effective in the fight against pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, patients have a significantly increased risk of relapse.
Having completely abandoned antibiotics, patients doom themselves to the development of complications (we will certainly tell about them, but a little later). Sometimes the symptoms of infection can be eliminated through local exposure. But treating a sore throat with only these medicines is not recommended. Otherwise, microorganisms can get used to them, which significantly complicates further therapy.
At the same time, it should be understood that all this applies mainly to pathologies of a bacterial nature. As we now know, in some cases, antibiotics do not save from a number of pathogens.
However, it is not so important to know whether it is possible to cure a sore throat without antibiotics, how much to understand that self-medication is by no means unacceptable. This will be discussed later.
What is the threat of self-medication?
As we know, treatment for any disease is prescribed only after the doctors establish an accurate diagnosis. For this, a number of necessary diagnostic studies are carried out. This allows us to establish the nature of pathogens and the causes of the development of the disease. Only then can a decision be made in favor of the use of certain medications.
This means that you must have the appropriate knowledge regarding the work of many systems of the human body. Therefore, there is a profession of doctors in different directions. Most people lack this knowledge and are therefore unlikely to be able to make an accurate diagnosis on their own. But you cannot do without it! How to treat angina without antibiotics in adults or children, if you do not know the type of pathogen or the cause that provoked it? Incorrectly selected medications can lead to the development of complications, and sometimes quite serious.
In an extreme case, the disease goes into a chronic stage, which is not very good, since in this case it is treated for a long time and is difficult. Taking antibiotics not only helps to eliminate harmful bacteria, but also can harm the body. Together with pathogenic microorganisms, medications can destroy the beneficial flora. And this is already fraught with serious consequences, because the immune system is already weakened by the disease.
Uncontrolled medication during self-treatment threatens with various complications:
- the development of allergic reactions;
- disruption of the digestive system;
- the appearance of toxic shock;
- fungus spread;
- avitaminosis;
- dysbiosis;
- liver disease.
In addition, if you take the same drug for a long time, addiction will occur, and its effectiveness will be lost, it will come to naught.
The course of treatment without antibiotics
As we now know, purulent tonsillitis without antibiotics is not treated. However, in almost all other cases, such therapy gives positive results. To do this, you should follow simple recommendations.
Treatment of tonsillitis in adult patients and children should begin immediately when the corresponding symptoms are identified. And since antibiotics are not used, it should be carried out in appropriate conditions. The room where the patient spends most of the time should be ventilated regularly if possible. The air should be cool and moderately humid.
This is especially true for heating periods - the room at this time is usually dry and hot. Then the mucous membrane begins to dry out and swell, which leads to a worsening of the patient's condition. In this regard, it is also important to perform wet cleaning.
It is imperative to comply with bed rest. This will allow the body to withstand pathogens on its own. Moreover, in this case, their further spread is prevented, because they leave the body with coughing, sneezing, during a conversation.
When we treat angina without antibiotics, special attention should be paid to drinking during this period. For a quick cure for intoxication, it is necessary to use at least 2 liters of fluid throughout the day. In this case, it is better to drink water in small sips every 10-15 minutes, or at least half an hour. In order to avoid irritation of the inflamed membrane, drinks should be at room temperature. Naturally, coffee, alcohol and acidic juices must be abandoned.
Topical medicines
If during the development of a sore throat a noticeable discomfort appears in your throat or it becomes difficult to swallow, you can solve the problem with antiseptic lozenges or tablets:
- Strepsils
- Septolete;
- "Faringosept".
When they are resorbed, inflammation and pain are eliminated, the mucous membrane of the oral cavity is softened, the regeneration process is accelerated.
Also, in the treatment of tonsillitis without antibiotics aerosols with an antiseptic effect show themselves well:
- Ingalipt;
- Chlorophyllipt;
- "Horacept";
- Miramistin.
These medications can be used in combination with lozenges 2-4 times a day. If the disease is accompanied by a pain syndrome in the throat against the background of an acute inflammatory process, then the condition can be alleviated with the help of these drugs:
- Ibuprofen
- Nurofen
- "Paracetamol";
- Panadol
- Nimesulide;
- Nimesil;
- Nimid.
With the same medicines, you can lower the body temperature if necessary.
The use of sulfonamides
If you react promptly to the appearance of tonsillitis symptoms, you can completely undergo a course of treatment without the use of antibiotics. The doctor usually prescribes taking sulfanilamide drugs that are effective against staphylococci and streptococci. Suspensions - "Bactrim", "Sulfazine" are prescribed for newborns and children not older than 3 years.
Adult patients can cure sore throat without antibiotics sulfonamides, if the disease has a bacterial origin. In addition, their use is relevant in cases where an allergic reaction to a particular antibiotic was detected in patients.
At the same time, only an otolaryngologist can give exact recommendations on the use of these drugs. After all, the effectiveness of therapy depends on how correctly the treatment regimen was selected. As a rule, preference is given to such medicines:
- Sulfalen;
- Biseptolu;
- Norsulfazole;
- "Sulfadimezin";
- Etazolu.
The duration of these medications is determined, again, by the attending physician. Drugs should be washed down with alkaline drink. Moreover, during their administration there may be side effects.
Rinse procedure
A complete treatment for angina without antibiotics also involves a gargling procedure. It has the same beneficial effect as local medicines. That is, rinsing allows you to moisturize the mucous membrane, accelerate the regeneration process, and reduce inflammation. You can also clean the tissue from purulent plaque.
In this case, you can use not only medicines, but also traditional medicine. There is a great variety of variations, among which the following recipes can be distinguished:
- "Furacilin";
- sea ββwater solution;
- beetroot juice;
- propolis tincture;
- infusions of medicinal herbs.
One of the effective means is the solution of "Furacilin", which is prepared as follows: 1 tablet is mixed in 100 ml of boiled water (hot). When the medicine has cooled, they gargle for 3 to 5 minutes. For the whole day, 3 or 4 procedures should be performed. Treatment continues until symptoms disappear. If you start using this tool at an early stage of the disease, the treatment takes little time.
To prepare sea water, it is necessary to mix soda and salt (you can sea) in a glass of water (warm, not hot). For 200 ml, one teaspoon of bulk products. Then 5 drops of iodine are added to the solution. The resulting product needs to rinse your mouth at least 6-8 times a day. Continue until the treatment of angina without antibiotics gives a positive result.
No wonder we all love beets, but does everyone know that its juice is a good antiseptic, which also has an anti-inflammatory effect? The root crop is rubbed on a fine grater or passed through a meat grinder in order to squeeze the juice. A little vinegar (6%) should be added to it at the rate of 10 ml per 100 ml of a natural antiseptic. It is recommended to gargle every 60 minutes.
Propolis tincture is sold in any pharmacy - 1 tbsp. gets divorced in a glass of warm water and this remedy also rinses the sore throat. Moreover, the more often, the better the effectiveness of treatment.
As for infusions of medicinal plants, this tool has been used for centuries and also has anti-inflammatory properties and can accelerate the healing process. For cooking, a variety of options are usually used:
- calendula flowers, daisies;
- sage leaves, eucalyptus;
- Oak bark;
- collection "Elekasol".
To remove a sore throat without antibiotics, a pinch of dry raw material is poured with boiling water (usually 200 ml) and set aside to cool. When the infusion becomes warm, it is filtered, and then carry out the procedure every 120 minutes.
Probable complications
If the therapy is planned incorrectly (the dangers of self-medication have already been said) or is completely absent, this can lead to serious consequences. For the human body, this will be a dangerous blow from which it will take a very long time to recover.
The drug course of treatment of angina, where antibiotics are not used, requires constant monitoring of the patient's condition. And mainly this is not due to the clinical picture of the course of the acute form of the disease. Sometimes angina therapy without antibiotics can result in complications that are difficult to treat.
For adult patients, these may be local consequences:
- Paratonsillitis - an inflammatory process affects the tissues located around the palatine tonsil.
- Mediastinitis - inflammation develops in the middle part of the chest cavity and often under the influence of bacteria.
- An abscess is an inflammatory reaction (including loosening) of tonsils with the formation of purulent mass. May be paratonsillar or parapharyngeal.
- Cervical phlegmon - damage to the mucous membranes inside the cervical spine. There is also an accumulation of pus.
All these pathologies need timely surgical treatment, including a long rehabilitation period. In addition, angina can provoke complications, both on individual systems, and on the body as a whole. In extremely rare cases, sepsis may begin. In this case, pathogens spread through the circulatory system throughout the body.
As a result
If you responsibly treat the onset of tonsillitis symptoms and follow all the doctor's recommendations, you can quickly cure a sore throat without antibiotics. The result will not be long in coming, and in most cases, recovery will come already on the 2nd or 3rd day after the start of therapy. The main thing is not to ignore the disease and seek medical help in a timely manner.
It is worth finally to say a few words about traditional medicine. In the fight against angina, they show good results. However, it should be understood that this is an independent treatment. It can be used, but only in combination with an adequate regimen of drug treatment, under the supervision of a physician. Self-medication is contraindicated, since only the attending physician is entitled to determine the intake of a drug.