What does the disease represent and how much sore throat is contagious, not everyone knows. This is an infectious pathology that affects the lymphoid tissue of the tonsils of the pharynx. Most often, inflammation affects the palatine tonsils, but others can be involved in the process. As for the number of days, how much sore throat is contagious , it is usually about 5-7, although it all depends on the severity of the disease.
Pathology has been known since ancient times. At least, tonsillitis was already described in the writings of ancient doctors. Of course, she is already well studied. In the arsenal of modern medicine, there are many effective remedies for treating the disease, not to mention numerous folk recipes. Nevertheless, both adults and children still face sore throat.
Methods of infection, incubation period and features of the course of the disease
How to get a sore throat, not everyone knows. There are various types of pathology. This is not a homogeneous disease, but a whole group of pathologies that differ both in their symptoms and course, and in the nature of development.
To begin with, it should be noted that this disease can be both viral and bacterial in nature. The causative agents of angina can be various pathogenic microorganisms. However, studies show that most often this is beta-hemolytic group A streptococcus, which accounts for 50-80% of the total number of cases.
Less commonly, streptococci of other groups, anaerobic bacteria, mycoplasmas and corynebacteria cause angina. However, streptococcus rarely comes alone. Often, after infection on the tonsils, a “bouquet” of pathogenic microorganisms literally blooms. Therefore, with angina, it is important to consult a doctor, and not to self-medicate. Moreover, diphtheria can be masked under a similar pathology.
As for viral tonsillitis and how they get sick with it, the most common cause is adenoviruses, coronaviruses, flu and parainfluenza. In this case, exogenous pathogens can penetrate into the mucous membrane of the tonsils not only by direct contact, but also by airborne or alimentary route. In practice, this means that in order to contract sore throat, it is not necessary to come into close contact with the patient.
Yes, the disease is characterized by various pathogens and the transmission of tonsillitis. It can be transmitted through a kiss or when using the same dishes. But since the infection spreads by airborne droplets, a simple conversation at a short distance is enough.
That is why with a person who has a sore throat, you can not use any common dishes, nor the same towel or napkin. It is generally desirable to isolate the patient from others. It is best to put it in a separate room or at least fence off the screen.
Many do not know how many days go through a sore throat. The incubation period for the disease is very short - 1-2 days. After this, the patient remains contagious for another 3-4 days until the temperature drops. However, some experts believe that contact with other people should be avoided for another 10 days, since the person has been the carrier of the infection all this time.
How to distinguish viral sore throat from bacterial?
Only a qualified specialist can determine the nature of the disease. But something about the signs of bacterial and viral tonsillitis in a child and an adult should be known to everyone. This is necessary at least in order not to make mistakes before the arrival of the doctor.
Viral tonsillitis is usually a consequence of ARVI. Therefore, it is characterized by an acute onset, the temperature can rise to 38 ° C, which in this case is an immune reaction of the body. In this case, all the symptoms of SARS are observed - a runny nose, cough, signs of general intoxication (headache, moreover, it seems to be concentrated in the forehead).
The bacterial form of angina is more severe. It can develop either due to the penetration of harmful bacteria from the outside, or as a complication after a viral infection.
Differences from the viral form are as follows:
- Runny nose and cough are absent.
- A severe sore throat appears, which makes swallowing difficult, it is difficult for a person to even drink. In children, because of this, speech may even be disturbed.
- The submandibular lymph nodes enlarge and become painful.
At the same time, unlike SARS, in which the temperature decreases by 3-5 days, bacterial tonsillitis can give a high temperature for a long period of time, it cannot be brought down with paracetamol, it will begin to decrease only after taking antibiotics.
And if during a viral infection the fever is almost visible, the bacterial tonsillitis is characterized by pale skin even at high temperature.
All this relates to the development of the disease in both adults and children. However, it should be noted that in children under the age of two years, the bacterial form is rare.
Types of sore throat
Sore throats are usually classified according to their pharyngoscopic signs. In medicine, considering the question of what types of angina occur in adults, it is customary to distinguish the following forms of the disease:
- catarrhal
- follicular
- lacunar.
Catarrhal sore throat
This is the most common form of the disease. It is often caused by viruses. Classical symptoms are the acute onset of the disease, in which the temperature rises (up to 37.5 ° C), there is a feeling of dryness and burning in the throat, then perspiration and moderate pain when swallowing.
As with any viral disease, the patient is disturbed by a headache, a feeling of bruising. The catarrhal form usually proceeds relatively easily, but in children all the symptoms described are more pronounced than in adults. Upon examination, the doctor will notice the lining of the tongue and diffuse redness of the tonsils. As for the number of days, how much sore throat is contagious, then this form lasts from three to five days.
Follicular
This form is most often caused by a bacterial infection, although viruses are not excluded. The tonsil parenchyma is affected. This form is characterized by: sudden chills, a sharp increase in body temperature, sometimes up to 40 ° C. There is severe sore throat, weakness is felt. Dyspeptic symptoms are sometimes observed. Upon examination, the doctor will notice that follicles are visible through the epithelium, which are white or yellow formations the size of pinheads. Because of this, tonsils resemble a starry sky.
When the follicles are opened, traces still remain in their place for some time. At autopsy, pus may be secreted, so in such cases they talk about purulent tonsillitis. In severe cases of this disease, even hospitalization may be required.
Lacunar
At first, it proceeds in much the same way as follicular tonsillitis, only in a much more severe form. At the same time, a yellowish-white coating appears on the tonsils, which is first visible only near the mouths of the gaps, and then spreads to the entire surface. Sometimes individual sections of the plaque are collected in one large formation, but the tonsils do not go beyond the borders.
The plaque is relatively easy to remove, while the epithelium is not injured. Usually it begins to separate on the 4th-5th day, and at this time the temperature drops to subfebrile values (but does not completely normalize until the inflammation in the lymph nodes has passed).
Fibrinous, herpetic and ulcerative necrotic forms are also distinguished, but they are less common. Sometimes other tissues are involved in the inflammatory processes - for example, the root of the tongue. In this case, they speak of lingual tonsillitis. In rare cases, inflammation spreads throughout the pharyngeal ring.
In addition, in practice there are mixed forms. Very often, doctors all types of this disease are divided into two groups - banal (vulgar) or atypical. The presence of classic common symptoms is characteristic of vulgar tonsillitis: the appearance of symptoms of general intoxication and fever, changes in the tissue of the tonsils, the duration of the disease is 7-10 days, the primary etiological factor is a viral or bacterial infection.
Treatment of angina in adults
In the treatment of the viral form, antiseptics and antiviral drugs are used. But a more common option is a bacterial infection that is treated with antibiotics.
The most effective are funds from the penicillin group. Amoxicillin is usually prescribed in combination with clavulanic acid, since they are well tolerated by patients and at the same time more effectively fight microorganisms. But tetracycline antibiotics often develop resistance. In severe cases of the disease, macrolides are prescribed (Azithromycin, Spiramycin, and others).
Soda-iodine rinses are recommended. On a glass of warm water take 1 tsp. baking soda and 3 drops of iodine. This remedy gargle several times a day.
At the time of treatment of angina, you need to limit physical activity and abandon spicy, salty, fatty foods. The menu should be almost vegetarian, an exception can be made for low-fat broth or steam cutlets. Dairy products are useful, but you can not drink them at the same time as antibiotics - they will reduce the effectiveness of drugs. In addition, you need to consume more freshly squeezed fruit juices, lingonberry or cranberry juice, linden broth.
As for the question of how much angina lasts in adults, it usually takes about a week, although it all depends on the severity of the disease.
Treatment of tonsillitis in children
With bacterial sore throat, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics for the child - the drug is selected from those listed above, always taking into account the patient's age.
The duration of the course of antibiotics is 7-10 days. The condition of the child improves earlier - three days after the start of taking antibiotics, but the course cannot be stopped. A full recovery occurs only after two weeks, but even after that, the baby may have a slightly higher temperature in the evenings for some time.
After the antibiotic, drugs like Bifidumbacterin are prescribed, that is, probiotics to restore intestinal microflora. For the same purpose, you can give your child yoghurts and curds containing bifidobacteria.
To relieve swelling and inflammation, the doctor prescribes antihistamines. For example, Fenistil (can be given to children from the age of two months) and calcium gluconate. Usually these funds should be taken within five days.
An important role is played by the use of antiseptics. Children are often prescribed them in the form of a spray such as “Oracept” or lozenges (“Lizobakt”). But do not forget about regular gargling. For example, you can use pharmacy products like "Chlorophyllipt" (for children it is often bred with water).
There are effective herbal supplements. For example, infusions of calendula, sage, and chamomile give a good result (they are prepared the same way - 1 tbsp. L. Dry plant material per glass of boiling water). The rinse should be warm, but not hot.
After the temperature returns to normal and the other symptoms listed above disappear, the doctor will most likely give a referral to a physiotherapy room for procedures such as UV or UHF. The correct treatment often also affects how much sore throat is contagious.
For a child, bed rest is especially important in the early days of the disease. But even after the temperature drops, you should not immediately send the child to the kindergarten or allow him active games, it is better to walk in the fresh air.
It is also worth following a certain diet, so as not to injure the throat and not overload the body by digesting heavy foods. For example, mashed potatoes, porridge, low-fat broth are ideal. It is also important to provide a plentiful warm drink - cranberry juice, weak tea, rosehip broth.
As for how long angina lasts in children, it all depends on the condition of the patient and the treatment used. Basically, the period is about a week, which is also typical for adults.
Prevention of sore throat in adults
Preventive measures against sore throat can be called commonplace, but they work perfectly and allow you to resolve the issue of how to avoid getting a sore throat. It is necessary to carefully follow the rules of personal hygiene and especially carefully monitor the condition of the oral cavity, since a bacterial infection can be the result of untreated caries.
Of the preparations for the prevention of angina, biologically active agents based on plants are recommended, for example, Tonsipret and Tonsilgon. By the way, they are also suitable for children from the age of two years. They are prescribed for the treatment of tonsillitis as part of complex therapy.
With frequent tonsillitis, washing of the tonsils and paranasal sinuses with special antiseptic solutions is recommended. These procedures are usually done in the clinic.
Prevention of sore throat in children
It was previously believed that tonsillectomy was an effective preventative measure. However, later scientists proved that tonsils play a very important role in the immune system, therefore they are removed only as a last resort. Moreover, their frequent inflammations perform the functions of a kind of vaccinations that develop immunity to various infections. Therefore, removal is carried out only if tonsillitis (tonsillitis) gives a complication. For example, if there is a murmur in the heart, there are signs of inflammatory diseases of the joints or kidneys.
Therefore, for prevention, doctors recommend periodically warming up the tonsils using various physiotherapeutic procedures, as well as rinsing them with antiseptic solutions, which is done by specialists in the clinic.
The kid can be taught to do a special exercise for hardening the throat. Need to portray a lion. The child kneels, spreads his heels, sits between them on the floor, stretches his neck and protrudes his tongue out while inhaling, and growls loudly. This must be done in just a few seconds, but with the tension of all muscles, including the facial ones.
To harden the throat, you can rinse with saline twice a day for 5-7 minutes. And first, the product is heated, and then every two days its temperature is literally reduced by one degree until it reaches 15 ° C. Also in summer and spring you can give ice cream - literally 1 tsp. per day, gradually increasing the amount to a whole serving. And it is very important to teach the child to follow all the rules of personal hygiene.