Syphilitic tonsillitis occurs during secondary syphilis and is a combination of inflammatory processes in the organs of the oropharynx. Most often, tonsils are affected. Let us consider in more detail what syphilitic tonsillitis is, signs and types of the disease, as well as possible methods of treatment and prevention.
Types of syphilitic tonsillitis
There are three types of disease:
- Syphilitic papular tonsillitis. It is accompanied by the appearance of papules on the tongue, pharynx and mucous membrane of the tonsils.
- Syphilitic pustular-ulcerative tonsillitis. During the disease, pustules form on the mucous membrane of the pharynx. In the future, their ulceration occurs.
- Syphilitic erythematic tonsillitis. This type of disease is accompanied by edema of the mucous membrane and total hyperemia.
Causes of syphilitic tonsillitis
As mentioned above, syphilitic tonsillitis is part of secondary syphilis. Therefore, you should not make a lot of effort to understand what methods of infection can be.
First, syphilis can be transmitted sexually and through contact with blood. Although infection can occur when using the patient’s personal belongings.
Secondly, low immunity can become the cause of the disease. Scientists conducted a study that showed very interesting results. It turns out that in people with strong immunity, the probability of not contracting syphilis with any type of contact is about 25 percent.
According to statistics, syphilitic tonsillitis most often occurs after oral sexual intercourse.
Syphilitic tonsillitis: symptoms
How is this disease manifested? At the very beginning, patients do not even realize that they have syphilitic tonsillitis. The incubation period of the disease can be up to one month, and only after this period the tonsils begin to redden and slightly increase in size. Up to this point, pathology can be mistaken for a common cold.
If the infection occurred through sexual intercourse, syphiloma occurs on one of the tonsils, and manifestations of inflammatory processes begin to be observed.
In the future, the size of the lymph nodes on the affected side increases. It is at this stage that the symptoms of the disease are most noticeable and palpable. If during the previous period, which lasted about a month, only a slight sore throat could disturb the patient, now syphilitic tonsillitis is starting to gain momentum. There is severe sore throat not only during swallowing, but also at rest, small ulcers form on the tonsils, and body temperature rises.
At this moment, it is important to contact the clinic in time to diagnose and prescribe the necessary treatment, since syphilitic tonsillitis can cause a number of complications and provoke many diseases of the whole organism.
Diagnosis of syphilitic tonsillitis
First of all, the doctor will examine the patient. An experienced specialist will pay attention to the mucous membrane, which has acquired a bluish tint. In addition, it is impossible not to notice the appearance of ulcers and other changes in the tonsils.
Further, several laboratory studies are carried out with the help of which it is possible to determine the pathogen virus and establish the final diagnosis. These include analysis of a smear from the surface of the tonsils and puncture from the lymph nodes. In addition, the Wassermann reaction is mandatory.
Syphilitic tonsillitis treatment
How to get rid of a disease such as syphilitic tonsillitis? Treatment involves complex therapy. It will include the elimination of syphilis itself and its attendant complications.
Be sure to take antibiotics from two different action groups (Penicillin, Augmentin, Amoxiclav and Clarithromycin or Azithromycin). Treatment with their help can be one month, and in case of special indications it can be extended until recovery. Moreover, during long-term therapy it is recommended to additionally take antifungal drugs, for example, Nystatin or Fluconazole.
To get rid of a phenomenon such as syphilitic tonsillitis, gargles with antiseptic solutions are performed. The most powerful drugs in this regard are Chlorhexidine and Miramistin. Depending on the nature of the inflammatory process, gargling is necessary up to 5 times a day. At the same time, with the elimination of the symptoms of angina , local immunity is also stimulated, which contributes to the speedy healing of the mucous membrane and prevents the appearance of scars.
You can also add soda, iodine, thyme, chamomile, eucalyptus and so on to the throat solutions described above. In addition, you can carry out inhalation with medicinal plants.
To get rid of other unpleasant symptoms, it is necessary to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to eliminate pain symptoms and reduce temperature. If complications occur, symptomatic therapy is performed.
Disease prevention
How to protect yourself from such trouble as syphilitic tonsillitis?
There are several simple preventative measures:
- compliance with the rules of personal intimate hygiene;
- refusal of casual sexual relations or the use of condoms;
- having sex with unfamiliar partners only with a condom;
- in case of suspicion - an examination by a venereologist.
Take care of yourself and be healthy!