Today in medicine there is a large number of cases of infection with infections of viral origin. But one of the rare events is herpes in the throat of an adult. Localization of rashes is atypical, as it is a complication of herpes stomatitis, which is usually observed in childhood with a primary infection of the oral mucosa by the virus. In an adult, such a pathology is rarely diagnosed, it is provoked by a herpes virus of the first or second type, which is a DNA-containing pathogen that is able to integrate into the DNA of healthy cells.
Description of the problem
Herpes in the throat of an adult is a pathology of viral genesis, which is caused by the formation of vesicles on the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat. If untreated, this disease spreads to the central nervous system, provoking the development of meningitis or encephalitis.
But since the virus has its own DNA, it remains in the body even after antibacterial treatment. With a violation of the immune system, it is activated, and the disease begins to develop again. The important thing is that with the activation of the virus in the body, the risk of Alzheimer's syndrome increases. Adaptive immunity of a person reacts to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms by the production of specific antibodies, which inhibit the activity of herpes.
Once in the body, the herpes virus invades the tissues, destroying the cellular structures of the mucous membrane, as a result of which an inflammatory process develops. At the locations of the infection, vesicles are formed that are filled with serous fluid. Herpes in the mouth and throat of an adult causes discomfort to a person, causes pain when swallowing and itching.
Types of herpes, provoking pathology
Herpes usually appears on the lips and corners of the mouth, but there are no barriers to the virus, so it can appear on any part of the body, including in the mouth. From a photo of herpes sore throat in adults, which are found on stands in medical institutions, it can be assumed that this pathology can have serious consequences. The disease begins to develop in the form of stomatitis, which can provoke one of two types of virus:
- The first type, in which there is a lesion of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity by the ingress of the virus through it through wounds or other injuries. Usually this phenomenon is observed in childhood.
- The second type causes damage to the genitals. In this case, herpes in the throat of an adult develops as a result of the virus entering the oral cavity through oral-genital contact. This disease cannot be completely cured.
In some cases, which is very rare, you can find type 6 herpes in the throat of an adult. In children, this type of herpes also occurs. But having overcome it once, the child's body develops immunity. Symptoms of the disease are similar to angina.
Causes of the disease
For an adult, herpetic stomatitis is an atypical disease. For its development, simple hypothermia is not enough, therefore, pathology is the result of a severely impaired immune system. This phenomenon can be observed in the following cases:
- Acute bacterial pathology, such as flu, pneumonia, or tonsillitis.
- Prolonged stress and depression.
- HIV or AIDS.
In some cases, the disease can occur as a result of mechanical damage to the oral cavity, burns of the mucous membrane, or abuse of immunosuppressants.
Symptoms and stages of the development of the disease
Herpes sore throat in adults has symptoms that combine the symptoms of a sore throat and herpetic eruptions on the lips. The disease undergoes development in several stages:
- An increase in body temperature, the appearance of seizures in childhood is often observed. The general condition gradually becomes worse, aches in the body. Usually, at this stage, the disease is taken for a cold, so often they do not carry out the proper treatment.
- The occurrence of puffiness, burning and pain in the oral cavity, the mucous membrane of the mouth in this case becomes red. Lymph nodes on the neck are enlarged.
- The appearance of vesicles - vesicles filled with serous fluid. After a few days, the serous fluid inside the vesicles begins to cloud, the vesicles are covered with a white coating.
- Four days after the appearance of rashes in the oral cavity, the vesicles begin to burst, forming ulcers of a bright red color. Gradually, a person feels better, his body temperature drops sharply to normal levels, but pain during swallowing persists.
- Ulcers begin to heal with a film and after three days completely disappear, the pain subsides, there are no traces of wounds.
Signs of pathology
Who had herpes in the throat (in an adult or a child), he describes his condition negatively. Patients report severe pain, which is similar to bee stings. It is because of such negative symptoms that a person with this disease becomes irritable, restless, sleep disturbance, he cannot eat and drink normally. Herpes on the tonsils provokes the development of intoxication, which is accompanied by nausea and weakness.
Some people are familiar with pathology only from images that can be found on stands in clinics. Many note that in the photo herpes in the throat in adults looks like a purulent sore throat.
The disease can last from five to fifteen days, depending on the individual characteristics of the human body, as well as the state of his immunity. In some cases, neuralgia develops due to inflammation of the trigeminal nerve located in the front of the head. In this case, there is a sharp pain in the region of the nasolabial triangle, spasm of the facial muscles, pain tic. In the absence of treatment, it is possible to attach a secondary infection, provoking the appearance of purulent exudate in the vesicles, as well as an increase in lymph nodes.
Similar diseases
How to understand that the throat is affected by the herpes virus? The symptoms of herpes sore throat in an adult can be easily confused with the symptoms of a sore throat, pharyngitis, laryngitis or other ENT pathologies. After the examination, only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis.
It is important in this case to distinguish herpes from such diseases:
- Fungal infection of the tonsils, which manifests itself in the form of a dense plaque of white color, which is not characteristic of the herpes virus.
- Angina, in which the throat is covered with small pimples and has a bright red color.
- Hepargin, which is caused by the Coxsackie virus.
- Varicella-Zoster virus laryngitis. With this disease, the bubbles do not merge into groups, but are located separately from each other.
Complications and consequences
Herpes in the throat of an adult with inadequate treatment or its absence often leads to the development of the following complications:
- Trigeminal neuralgia, which is characterized by inflammation of the nerve endings, resulting in impaired conduction of impulses. Because of this, a person has a spasm of the facial muscles.
- The spread of infection throughout the body, which can cause damage to internal organs and the development of inflammation of all mucous membranes in the body.
- Candidiasis (thrush) develops as a result of the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms in the throat.
Therefore, it is important to contact a medical institution in a timely manner for an examination and a course of therapy.
Diagnostic measures
It is diagnosed without difficulty herpes in the throat of an adult. Sometimes (in rare cases) the doctor may misdiagnose. Usually this phenomenon is observed at the initial stage of the development of the disease. First, the doctor studies the history of the disease, examines the patient, while he studies the nature of the rash in the throat, pain, the location of the pathological areas. During the survey, the time of manifestation of symptoms is determined, as well as the possibility of contact with the carrier of the infection.
Then the doctor prescribes laboratory tests of blood and urine, a study of the contents of the blisters, PCR, especially in the absence of skin manifestations of the pathology. If the test is positive, they speak of virus activation. Also used as a diagnostic technique ELISA and bacterial culture.
Disease therapy
After making an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will tell you how to treat herpes sore throat in an adult or child. Most of the drugs used to treat pathology require accurate dosages, as some of them are highly toxic and cannot be used by people, which are prone to allergic reactions. It is somewhat inconvenient to treat the disease due to the location of the infectious process. Therefore, in this case, ointments and creams are not prescribed, but only medications in the form of tablets, injections or sprays.
All used medications are conventionally divided into the following groups:
- Antiviral drugs: "Acyclovir", "Penciclovir" or their analogues. If symptoms of sore throat are observed in adults, treatment with the drug "Famciclovir" is possible, but it should not be used in relation to children because of its toxicity.
- Antiseptic drugs in the form of tablets or sprays in order to disinfect the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, eliminate the symptoms of pathology. In this case, drugs such as Septolete or Faringosept can be used.
- Immunomodulators to enhance immunity. These drugs include interferon preparations and immunoglobulins.
- Preparations for the treatment of symptomatic relief: antipyretic, analgesics, antihistamines.
It is also important to follow a diet during treatment, which involves the rejection of spicy, spicy, salty and smoked foods. It is recommended to use liquid cereal.
In modern medicine, no drugs have been developed that could completely cure this disease. All existing medicines only suppress the activity of the virus, but do not eliminate it from the human body. Therefore, with any violation of the immune system, its re-activation is possible.
Alternative medicine
It is allowed to treat the disease with traditional medicine, but only after consultation with the attending physician. Typically, these methods are combined with drug therapy. Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide a photo of herpes in the throat in adults. Treatment of this pathology should be done immediately. Therapy with folk remedies involves, first of all, the use of a large amount of warm liquid in order to remove toxins from the body. It is recommended to gargle with the following infusions and decoctions:
- Infusion of linden and mint for the relief of pain.
- Mint broth with honey for disinfection of the oral cavity.
- Flaxseed decoction to accelerate the healing process of ulcers and restore the mucous membrane of the oral cavity.
- Chamomile broth to relieve inflammation and swelling.
Plant tinctures, such as Echinacea or Eleutherococcus, which can be purchased at any pharmacy, are well suited to boost immunity. You can not use hot compresses, heating pads or mustard for this disease, as this helps the spread of the virus throughout the body.
Forecast
The disease has favorable prognosis provided timely treatment is started. In severe cases, pathology leads to the development of complications that are difficult to eliminate. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention in a timely manner.
Usually, there are no serious complications in mild forms of the disease. In people who have weak immunity, relapse is possible in the future after illness.
Prevention
Prevention of pathology consists in observing a healthy lifestyle, eliminating addictions, avoiding situations in which the immune system can suffer. Following all the recommendations will help to avoid the development of a disease such as herpes throat.