Herpetic angina (herpetic tonsillitis) is characterized by high contagiousness. If treatment and prevention measures are not followed, it can spread among the population, and even to the point of massive outbreaks of the epidemic. The most common cause of infection in adults is contact, communication with an infected person. The activity of the virus persists for a week, during this period it is extremely dangerous. Even if the patient is in the stage of recovery, he continues to be a virus carrier, therefore, the risk of infection of those around him remains.
The causes and symptoms of herpetic sore throat in adults and children are similar.
Causes
The main ways of transmitting the virus are as follows:
- contact-household - through dirty hands, objects of common use;
- Alimentary - the penetration of the virus occurs with food or water;
- airborne droplet;
- fecal.
The causes of herpes simplex sore throat in children and adults are enteroviruses: Coxsackie (A or B) and ECHO. RNA viruses are ubiquitous. The main source of infection is a patient or a virus carrier. The body of an infected person secretes the virus along with saliva during a conversation, during sneezing or coughing. This selection lasts up to a month (also at the recovery stage). Once in the body, the virus enters the lymph nodes, where it multiplies and then enters the bloodstream, spreading throughout the body. Tissue inflammation occurs depending on the type of virus and the state of immunity.
Most often, children aged 3-10 years are affected. Herpetic sore throat can develop against the background of influenza and SARS. Hypothermia or the use of chilled drinks can also contribute to the development of the disease in the child. After a disease, immunity is formed in children, but when infected with another virus, a second disease is possible.
Symptoms
The duration of the incubation period of herpetic sore throat is 7-14 days. The course of the disease begins with intoxication signs of influenza or SARS, with characteristic symptoms:
- loss of appetite;
- the appearance of a runny nose;
- sore throat localized in the nasopharynx and pharynx;
- chills, fever;
- increased / decreased temperature;
- acute rhinitis, etc.
After infection is introduced into the lymph nodes of the abdominal cavity, and then into the circulatory system, pathogenic bacteria enter the human body. The next stage of the development of infection is characterized by the ingress of the virus into the lymph of the oral cavity, which becomes the focus of the development of inflammation. The next stage in the development of the disease is the formation of watery vesicles with serous contents on the tonsils, posterior pharyngeal wall and tongue. They have a pronounced red frame, resembling rashes with a herpetic lesion. Swelling appears on the mucous membrane of the throat and palate, inflammation of the affected tissue occurs. The development of infection lasts about two days. Subsequently, the bubbles are dried with the liquid, a crust is formed, which subsequently falls off.
In cases of the development of complications of the disease, such formations develop into ulcers or accumulate pus in themselves, which causes the infected person painful sensations similar to difficulty in swallowing. There is an increase in soreness, the appearance of itching and salivation. Eating, and with it the use of fluid is difficult due to pain during contact with the mucosa.
Symptoms of herpetic sore throat in children and adults are the same. This is a manifestation of signs similar to the flu-like syndrome, soreness when swallowing, salivation. In most cases, the fever subsides within 3-5 days. Along with the usual course of the disease in children, manifestations are possible, characterized only by catarrhal changes in the oropharynx, without damage to the mucosa.
Diagnostics
Due to the fact that the symptoms of herpetic sore throat are pronounced, establishing the correct diagnosis is not a difficult task for an experienced doctor. One way or another, laboratory tests are required:
- virological - a nasopharyngeal swab is taken in the first 5 days from the time of the disease;
- serological - used serum collected in the first days of the disease and after 2-3 weeks.
Research methods
The following research methods are used:
- General blood test - in order to establish the number of white blood cells in the blood and the presence of pathogens.
- Identification of the pathogen - establishing a diagnosis in differentiation with other probable infections: SARS, influenza, intestinal dyspepsia and others. Clinical signs such as papular-vesicular eruptions in the oral cavity are taken into account to exclude the likelihood of other infections.
In cases where the patient is a child, the diagnosis is based on his age. The pediatric otolaryngologist is involved in this process and the subsequent appointment of treatment. If complications of the disease are identified, another doctor may need to be consulted: a pediatric neurologist with a damaged central nervous system, a pediatric urologist with kidney damage.
After the symptoms and forms are established, the treatment of herpetic sore throat mainly consists in taking medications.
Complications
Most often, herpetic sore throat affects children or adolescents. An adult will only have a mild form with blurry symptoms. Complications can be caused by a weak immune system that has been affected by other viral or chronic diseases. This disease carries a great danger for pregnant women, especially in the initial stages. It can provoke severe pathologies of the development of organs and even entire systems. If herpetic sore throat is not treated, then it will go into a severe stage and then a number of complications cannot be avoided.
The disease is most common among children under 3 years of age and adolescents. This is due to the weakness of their immune system, which is unable to effectively fight pathogenic organisms. Complications are possible in the following systems:
- Urinary. Pyelonephritis develops, which causes inflammation of the kidneys.
- Brain. Encephalitis and serous meningitis show their signs. This disease affects the functions of the brain.
- Cardiovascular. During a severe form of herpes sore throat, infectious heart lesions are observed in patients.
- Visual. Hemorrhagic conjunctivitis is formed, resulting in the appearance of point hemorrhages.
Pharmacological treatment
In autumn and spring, often get sick with herpetic sore throat. It is a viral infection that occurs in both children and adults. The treatment for this type of angina is different in these two age categories.
First of all, when treating such a sore throat in adults, you need to pay attention to its symptoms. They are able to change the normal life rhythm of the patient. Usually, Suprastin and Diazolin are prescribed for the treatment of herpetic sore throat. They help reduce pain in the throat and have a good effect on the general condition of the patient. Against herpetic sore throat prescribed "Viferon" and "Acyclovir". Of course, the doctor also prescribes a vitamin complex.
It should be noted that during the treatment of such a sore throat only drugs can not do. The patient must eat soft food of medium temperature. In most cases, doctors avoid prescribing antibiotics, since this disease has a viral background. Antibiotics are drunk only in cases where the patient has an acute period of 4 days.
Drawing a conclusion from the above, it can be noted that in the treatment of herpetic sore throat 3 types of drugs are used.
- Antihistamines.
- Antiulcer.
- Vitamin complex.
Treatment in children
After a full examination of the child, the doctor prescribes such types of medications as:
- Antipyretic.
- Antiviral.
- Antiallergic.
- Immunomodulators.
In the treatment of herpetic sore throat in children, irrigation of the mouth and pharynx is pretty good, and they must be regular. In addition, ointments such as Acyclovir and Viferon are often used. If a small patient has a high fever, it is necessary to give antipyretic drugs such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. Please note that if the child has a temperature below 38.5 ° C, then there is nothing to do. Elevated body temperature indicates that the body itself is fighting the virus.
Since this is an infectious disease, you often need to gargle with "Miramistin" or "Furacilin." During herpetic sore throat, children often cannot eat because they find it difficult to swallow food. That is why it is necessary to give the child pureed food. Products must be of medium temperature. During the treatment of herpetic sore throat, inhalation should not be done. This can increase body temperature, and the virus will spread even more in the body.
Grandma's recipes
In the event that the patient is contraindicated with the components of antiviral drugs or if the patient wants to achieve a faster recovery, the best option would be such alternative methods as:
- Propolis. A by-product of honey production is a well-known anti-inflammatory agent of natural origin. It will also help relieve pain and accelerate recovery by increasing immunity. Preparation: 10 g of propolis is placed in the freezer for 8-12 hours. After that, get it out and use a hammer to crush it. The resulting powder is placed in a vessel and mixed with 100 ml of alcohol. Tincture stands for 7 days. It must be shaken periodically. Application: with a ready-made product, with a bandage, the rashes are lubricated twice a day. Also, the so-called "chewing gum" can help ensure the fastest recovery. Application: 2 g of propolis chews for several minutes like a simple chewing gum, after which it is spit out or swallowed. It should be done every day until recovery, at least 3 times a day.
- Beet. Preparation: grate the beets until gruel. Make a homogeneous mixture with water and insist for 6 hours. Use a glass at a time, 5 times a day. Application - rinse. Preparation: beet juice from one medium-sized vegetable is mixed with a small amount of apple cider vinegar. Application: rinse every 3 hours. Use a glass at a time.
- Garlic. An excellent remedy against herpes sore throat is garlic and honey. Preparation: from four cloves of garlic, prepare the garlic mass and pour 400 ml of milk. To this add three tablespoons of honey. Bring the resulting mixture to a boil and cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring constantly. Application: for an adult - a tablespoon of the product 1 time per hour, for children - a teaspoon of the product once an hour.
Herbs
As with most other diseases, herbs can be an excellent solution in the fight against herpes sore throat, in particular with its manifestation such as a cold sore throat.
- Coltsfoot, eucalyptus and sage. Preparation: a mixture of a small amount of these plants in equal proportions is added to 0.5 liters of water and boiled for a quarter of an hour. After this, the broth should be cooled and a pinch of citric acid and a little honey (about a teaspoon) should be added. Application: rinse once every 4 hours, in a glass. The last three sips of the decoction should be drunk.
- A decoction of motherwort, calendula, yarrow, rose hip and oregano. Preparation: take the plants in equal proportions (about a tablespoon) and transfer their chopped homogeneous mixture into a thermos in a ratio of 2 tablespoons / liter of water. Insist for 8-10 hours, then strain. Application: both internal (30 g - 3 times a day) and gargling in a dosage of 1/3 cup three times a day.
- Yarrow and camomile. Preparation: plants are taken in a ratio of 1: 2 and poured with a small amount of hot water (1 spoon per glass), after which they are infused for two hours. Application: drink 50 grams 2 times a day, while holding the mixture in your mouth for several seconds, and then swallowing.
- Aloe. Preparation and use: Take 100 g of good butter and, after a water bath, add honey (3 tablespoons), aloe juice and cocoa powder. It is necessary to monitor the quality of all components. Mix thoroughly and give the child a tablespoon at a time so that the entire portion is eaten in 24 hours.
Prevention
Parents of a sick child should be fully aware that their child is a carrier of the disease. For this reason, they are obliged to protect the child from contacts with other people. As soon as the cause of herpetic sore throat has been identified in the educational or educational institution where the child goes, the same prophylaxis should be carried out as with other respiratory infections such as this. Personal preventive measures:
- Eat properly.
- Avoid hypothermia.
- Carry out hardening procedures.
- Maintain the body's natural resistance.
When a sick person is isolated in time from everyone, the chance of other people getting infected is greatly reduced. After a week has passed since the infection, the patient's infectivity becomes almost zero. Therefore, there will be no more reason to maintain isolation and you can take your child to school, kindergarten or go to work. It is also very important to know and take into account the moment that not only people, but also animals, especially pets, are spreading herpetic sore throat. For this reason, it is necessary to protect the patient from contacts with domestic animals so that the viral infection does not begin to spread despite isolation.