Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, accompanied by unpleasant symptoms in the form of sore throat, discomfort when swallowing. In addition, there is an increased temperature and a dry cough. Often, the disease is combined with tonsillitis.
Sometimes a complete cure is possible, but there is a likelihood of an acute process becoming chronic. Rarely, quite dangerous complications can occur, in particular, such as damage to the joints and heart.
Features of the disease
A pharyngeal disease, manifested in the form of discomfort, soreness, and sore throat, is called pharyngitis. The pathological process is often diagnosed in middle-aged and elderly people. Men get sick much more often than women.
This may be an independent disease or one of the symptoms of respiratory diseases. Pathological processes that occur in the pharynx are divided depending on their location. With the occurrence of acute viral or bacterial inflammation, the mucosa of all parts of the pharynx is affected.
Acute pharyngitis is characterized by the fact that the disease proceeds quite rapidly. Infectious processes provoke it, and tobacco smoking, irritation of the pharyngeal mucosa, prolonged exposure to cold, and alcohol consumption are also considered predisposing factors. Often there is a viral etiology of an acute inflammatory process, in some cases the disease has a bacterial nature. It is important to timely treat acute pharyngitis in order to prevent the occurrence of a complication, which is manifested in inflammation of the ear canal.
Swelling of the pharyngeal follicles and their fusion can trigger the development of granular pharyngitis. As a result of trauma to the mucosa in any of its departments, the development of a traumatic type of disease is possible. Inflammation occurs as a response to prolonged and intense mechanical damage to the upper layer of epithelial cells. This can occur during surgery or penetration of a foreign object into the throat.
Causes of occurrence
Acute inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa can develop for a variety of reasons, and often this occurs when pathogenic bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other pathogens enter the body. Among the main predisposing factors for the development of the disease, the following can be distinguished:
- lack of vitamins;
- hypothermia of the body;
- unbalanced nutrition;
- the presence of chronic infections;
- tonsillitis;
- second hand smoke;
- inhaling throat irritants.
However, the main cause of acute pharyngitis is various kinds of infectious diseases that occur in a chronic form, such as tuberculosis.
The main symptoms
Symptoms of acute pharyngitis largely depend on what is the main cause of the formation of inflammation, but often the patient complains of:
- sore throat;
- discomfort when swallowing;
- voice change;
- temperature rise;
- sensation of a foreign body in the throat;
- general weakness.
If children and adults have symptoms of acute pharyngitis (the photo shows the location of the pathological process), you should immediately consult a doctor, since the onset of the disease is very similar to the course of tonsillitis or tonsillitis, the treatment of which varies significantly.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of acute pharyngitis involves an instrumental examination, in particular:
- pharyngoscopy;
- microbiological research;
- immunodiagnostics;
- determination of streptococcal antibodies in the blood.
If the first signs of inflammation occur, it is necessary to conduct a pharyngeal examination. This is a fairly simple procedure, so you can carry out it yourself and this does not require special skills.
The patient has a red throat, and the mucous membrane is very swollen. If the disease is accompanied by fever, then you should immediately consult a doctor, since in this case the symptoms are similar to the course of a sore throat. Acute inflammation of the tonsils often leads to very dangerous complications.
Disease treatment
Treatment of acute pharyngitis must be comprehensive, as this will prevent the occurrence of complications. That is why during the period of therapy it is required:
- special diet;
- taking medications;
- conducting physiotherapeutic procedures.
When acute pharyngitis occurs, only warm, semi-liquid dishes should be consumed, so as not to irritate the damaged mucosa once again. The doctor selects medications individually for each patient.
Drug treatment
Treatment of acute pharyngitis is carried out by the use of medications. Medicines are selected strictly individually, it all depends on the causative agent of the infection, the general well-being of the patient, as well as the characteristics of the course of the disease. Among the main drugs used for therapy, it is possible to distinguish:
- antibacterial agents;
- antiviral;
- antiseptics.
Antibacterial drugs are prescribed by the attending doctor if pathogens are the cause of the inflammation. Usually, the doctor selects the means of the cephalosporin or penicillin group, in particular, such as Cefazolin, Amoxil, Cefix, Ampicillin.
It is strictly forbidden to take antibiotics without the recommendation of a doctor, since only he can prescribe a course of therapy and calculate the dosage taking into account possible side effects and complications.
If the disease was triggered by the penetration of the virus into the body, the treatment of acute pharyngitis in adults is carried out by the use of antiviral agents, in particular, such as Groprinosin, Nazoferon, Arbidol, Laferobion.
Topical antiseptics are prescribed in the form of aerosols intended for irrigation of the pharynx, or rinsing solutions. They can be purchased ready-made or prepared independently. For example, you can make a solution of tablets "Furacilina". The most effective aerosols for the treatment of sore throats are "Ingalipt", "Orasept", "Givalex", "Proposol".
When spraying the drug, you need to direct the tip of the bottle on the inner surface of the cheek, and not in the throat, as this will prevent the occurrence of bronchospasm.
Local antiseptics can also be used in tablet form. In this case, the best tablets are considered to be Septefril, Faringosept, Strepsils, Lizobakt. These drugs not only help to quickly eliminate the discomfort that occurs when swallowing, but also have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect.
The use of folk remedies
Symptoms and treatment of acute pharyngitis can be very different, it all depends on the particular health of the patient and the complexity of the course of the disease. Widely used folk remedies. They are required for rinsing a sore throat or for inhalation.
A universal and effective tool for washing the nose and gargling is sea water. In addition, it is recommended to take baths with the addition of essential oils. To do this, add 3-4 drops of fir or eucalyptus oil to hot water.
Eliminate bacteria helps rinse with salt water. To do this, 1 teaspoon should be dissolved in 0.5 liters of warm water. salt and gargle every hour. To reduce pain and inflammation, chamomile compresses can be used. To prepare them, you need to moisten the napkins in a warm infusion of chamomile and wrap around the neck.
Inhalations help soften the throat and reduce discomfort. The duration of the procedure is 5, and the course of therapy is 10 procedures. For this, decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs are used.
Dieting
In acute pharyngitis, it is imperative to follow a special diet to prevent further damage to the throat. From the usual diet, you need to exclude dishes that increase blood flow to the inflamed areas. In particular, it is not recommended to consume spices, spices, spicy dishes, coffee, sour foods.
In the early days of the course of inflammation, if the patient refuses to consume food, then do not insist. A plentiful drink is recommended, in particular, you can consume decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs, compotes, fruit drinks, tea with lemon and honey. Dishes should be served warm, in grated or semi-liquid state.
Features of the course in children
Pharyngitis very often occurs in childhood, can occur in various forms and is often a manifestation of other diseases, in particular, scarlet fever, adenoiditis, tonsillitis. The risk group consists mainly of children who rarely walk on the street and sleep in a room with warm and dry air.
To avoid very serious complications and prevent the transition of the disease to the chronic stage, you definitely need to know how to treat acute pharyngitis in childhood. When the first signs of the disease occur, it is forbidden to go outside in wet weather for a week. When a chronic form of the disease occurs, it is not recommended to rinse the throat with a soda solution, since soda dries the mucous membrane, which threatens the occurrence of more serious complications.
It is quite difficult to determine the course of the pathological process in young children. This is due to insufficiently pronounced clinical manifestations. After hearing complaints, the doctor examines the throat of a small patient. The pharynx is reddened, swollen, with the presence of purulent or mucous discharge. The posterior wall becomes granular with dotted patches or vesicles filled with blood. Among the main signs of the course of the disease can be identified:
- a sore throat;
- slight coughing;
- tickle;
- itching in the ears;
- conjunctivitis;
- runny nose.
Local signs persist for several days, and then gradually disappear. The temperature may rise slightly or remain normal. Children are very painful to swallow, so they often refuse to eat.
With the addition of a secondary infection and the occurrence of complications, symptoms begin to increase with severe intoxication of the body. It is very difficult to recognize the course of the disease in infants, since they cannot express their complaints. The child's temperature rises, appetite and sleep are disturbed, he becomes restless. These symptoms are nonspecific, therefore, may indicate other diseases. If such symptoms occur, you must definitely consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Often, a painful dry cough, wheezing and runny nose join the signs of inflammation.
When treating a child under 2 years old, it is important to consider the characteristics of his body. Such children are forbidden to irrigate their throats with a spray, as this can lead to bronchospasm, which sometimes causes respiratory arrest.
Treatment of pharyngitis in children is carried out at home. To do this, gargle with solutions with medicinal herbs or an antiseptic effect. In particular, Rotokan, Chlorophyllipt, Miramistin, infusion of chamomile or eucalyptus helps a lot. At night it is recommended to drink linden or chamomile tea.
Children over 3 years of age are prescribed pills and lozenges for resorption, which help eliminate pain and soften the throat, for example, Strepsils, Faringosept. Among the local immunostimulating drugs, it is necessary to highlight "Lizobakt", "Imudon".
Antimicrobials are often prescribed, such as Arbidol, Viferon, Orvirem, Grippferon, Arbidol. Antibiotics should be taken strictly as prescribed by the doctor, after determining the sensitivity of microorganisms to antibacterial drugs. The only treatment for infants will be a plentiful drink, as well as medicines that the doctor will prescribe.
Pregnant Disease
Symptoms and treatment of acute pharyngitis in adults largely depend on the characteristics of the human body. This disease is extremely dangerous for a pregnant woman and creates many inconveniences, since there is no way to use traditional methods of treatment. Pharyngitis during pregnancy is manifested in the form of fever, hoarseness, lymphadenitis, and also dry cough. Often, this disease greatly complicates the course of pregnancy and in the absence of proper treatment can lead to miscarriage, and at a later date - premature birth. It is important to know how to treat acute pharyngitis in adults during pregnancy so as not to harm the fetus. Therapeutic measures are:
- following a sparing diet;
- gargling with decoctions of herbs;
- inhalation with essential oils.
In addition, you can use sprays for irrigation of the throat, lozenges. The doctor prescribes antibiotics, taking into account possible harm to the child.
Probable complications
Acute pharyngitis in adults without proper treatment can go into a chronic form. In addition, there may be the following complications:
- tracheitis;
- acute articular rheumatism;
- Chronical bronchitis;
- laryngitis;
- cervical lymphadenitis;
- inflammation of the inner ear.
In addition, against the background of the course of pharyngitis, abscesses can occur, which can only be cured by surgery.
Prophylaxis
In order to carry out prevention, you must take care of your immune system. You should regularly take vitamins, consume fruits and vegetables, beekeeping products, propolis preparations. It is also useful to conduct hardening.