Sore throat after

Sore throat - photos, causes, first signs, symptoms and treatment of sore throat in adults, prevention

Sore throat is an infectious disease accompanied by acute inflammation of the tonsils and/or other lymphoid formations of the pharynx.

Table of contents:

For many people, all it takes to get a sore throat is to eat ice cream or get your feet wet. Development is also promoted by other diseases of the nasopharynx and irritating substances that enter the pharynx (alcohol, dust, tobacco smoke, and so on). The following pathogenic microorganisms can provoke the development of pathology: viruses, bacteria and fungi.

In the article, we will look in more detail at the causes and first signs of tonsillitis, talk about symptoms in adults, and also tell you which treatment is most effective.

What is a sore throat?

Sore throat is a common disease, second in frequency to acute respiratory viral infections and influenza. Most often the palatine tonsils become inflamed. This is a seasonal disease, usually manifesting itself in the autumn and spring periods.

About 75% affect people under 30 years of age, of which the largest percentage belongs to children under 15 years of age (about 60%).

Sore throat is very contagious, so isolation of the patient is mandatory.

A sore throat is caused by various microbes, mainly streptococci, which often enter the throat with household items used by a person with a sore throat (for example, dirty dishes, etc.).

In some cases, microbes that are in the throat and usually do not cause disease are activated under the influence of certain unfavorable conditions, for example, during cooling or sudden fluctuations in ambient temperature.

Types and forms

Depending on the clinical course, frequency of the disease and the cause of angina, they are divided into different groups.

In adults, there are 3 types of sore throat:

  • Primary tonsillitis. Primary angina is understood as an acute infectious disease of predominantly streptococcal etiology, with relatively short-term fever, general intoxication, inflammatory changes in the lymphoid tissues of the pharynx, most often in the palatine tonsils and the lymph nodes closest to them. The duration of the incubation period ranges from 12 hours to 3 days. Characterized by an acute onset with hyperthermia, chills, pain when swallowing, and enlarged regional lymph nodes.
  • Secondary or symptomatic. Damage to the tonsils in the pharynx is observed against the background of such pathologies: diphtheria, scarlet fever, agranulocytosis, leukemia, etc.
  • Specific sore throat. Caused by a specific infectious agent (fungi, spirochete, etc.).

Classification of sore throats in adults:

  • Catarrhal sore throat. Usually develops very quickly and acutely. In most cases, a person falls ill suddenly, with malaise, dryness and a sore throat. Duration from 3 to 7 days.
  • Follicular tonsillitis. The most characteristic sign of this form of angina is the accumulation of fibrinous exudate in the lacunae. At the same time, whitish plaques form on the swollen and hyperemic mucous surface of the tonsils, localized at the mouths of the lacunae. More often they are separate formations, less often they merge together and cover most of the surface of these organs. The duration of the disease is 6 – 8 days.
  • Lacunar tonsillitis. The tonsils are affected in the area of ​​the lacunae, with subsequent spread of purulent plaque to the surface of the palatine tonsils. When performing pharyngoscopy, infiltration and swelling of the tonsils, severe hyperemia and widening of the lacunae are observed. This type of sore throat lasts 6–8 days.
  • Necrotizing tonsillitis. On the surface of the tonsils, large areas of dead tissue are visible, going deep and covered with a lumpy coating of gray or yellow-green color. Foci of necrosis become saturated with fibrin and become denser. After their removal, bleeding occurs, and then an ulcer up to 2 cm in size, with uneven edges, forms.
  • Phlegmonous - this type of sore throat most often occurs against the background of supposedly passing classic signs of sore throat - the tonsils begin to swell again, the soft palate turns red.
  • Herpetic sore throat. Most often develops in children. It is caused by the Coxsackie A virus and is a highly contagious disease. The virus carrier is a sick person; in rare cases, they can be pets.
  • Ulcerative membranous is a sore throat without fever. The patient usually experiences necrosis of one of the tonsils with the formation of an ulcer. The patient complains that he feels a foreign body when swallowing, his salivation increases, and there is a putrid odor from his mouth.

Causes

The primary focus of inflammation is formed in the lymphoid tissue of the oropharynx. Causes predisposing to the disease may be local and general hypothermia, dusty and polluted atmosphere, increased dryness of rooms, decreased immunity, etc.

In most cases, angina develops after acute respiratory viral infections, which reduce the protective functions of the epithelium in the respiratory tract, thereby opening the path to infection.

From person to person, sore throat is transmitted by airborne droplets or nutritional (food) routes. With endogenous infection, microbes enter the tonsils from carious teeth, paranasal sinuses (with sinusitis) or the nasal cavity. When the immune system is weakened, sore throat can be caused by bacteria and viruses that are constantly present on the mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx.

Ways of infection entering an adult body:

  • Airborne (the most typical route of transmission).
  • Enteral (together with contaminated dairy products).
  • Hematogenous (with blood flow from organs and tissues infected with the pathogen).
  • Endogenous (in patients suffering from gastroenteritis, purulent sinusitis, tonsillitis and caries).
  • Artificial (during surgical operations on the nasopharynx and nasal cavity (traumatic tonsillitis)).

In addition, the following reasons can provoke the disease in adults:

  • improper and irrational nutrition;
  • severe fatigue of the body;
  • living in unfavorable conditions;
  • lack of sufficient sunlight;
  • constant dampness.

Considering that sore throat in the vast majority of cases is caused by streptococci, and rheumatism, glomerulonephritis and myocarditis occur precisely with streptococcal infections, treatment begins with penicillin antibiotics.

Symptoms of sore throat + photos

The incubation period (the time spanning the period of introduction of a pathogenic factor into the human body until the first clinical symptoms) lasts on average about an hour.

Common symptoms of sore throat in adults:

  • Temperature increase. Specific reaction of the human body to the pathogenic activity of bacterial agents. High temperature promotes the rapid removal of toxins from the body, enhances the immune response, and also reduces the rate of bacterial growth;
  • chills and malaise;
  • headache appears due to intoxication of the human body with waste products of pathogenic microorganisms;
  • increased fatigue;
  • pain in the joints (the symptom is typical for both children and adults).
  • Difficulty swallowing. This symptom develops as a consequence of inflammation of the tonsils. This reduces the opening of the oropharynx, which makes it difficult for food to pass through it. Also, when swallowing, pain increases, which causes the patient to be careful when making swallowing movements.
  • If the disease is severe, then areas of necrosis that have a dark gray color form on the tonsils. Dead tissue is rejected, being replaced by defective areas measuring 10 mm.
Adults become infected from a carrier of the infection who releases it into the external environment. A significant role here is played by a close team at work, the use of shared cutlery and dishes, and a careless attitude to the rules of personal hygiene.

In the photo below, you can see what a sore throat looks like in an adult:

The photo shows an accumulation of pus on the tonsils - this is a characteristic sign of tonsillitis

  • Low-grade fever (temperature rise to 37-38°C)
  • Mild malaise
  • Possible enlarged lymph nodes
  • Enlargement and redness of the palatine tonsils themselves
  • pain in the throat area,
  • increased swelling of the palatine tonsils,
  • rise in body temperature,
  • the appearance of signs of intoxication in the body in the form of headaches, attacks of nausea and vomiting,
  • an increase in the size of the lymph nodes in the submandibular region,
  • the appearance of plaque (yellow-white) at the mouths of the lacunae.
  • persistent fever
  • headache,
  • vomiting, confusion.

In addition, the patient experiences symptoms such as:

  • chills;
  • feverish condition;
  • sore throat;
  • grayish coating on the tonsils;
  • swelling of the neck;
  • bad breath;
  • voice change.

What to do when the first signs appear?

The first signs of a sore throat appear very quickly. In most cases, a bacterial form develops, in which the patient complains of a sore throat and plaque on the tonsils. Viral sore throat is often accompanied by lacrimation, runny nose and other signs of acute respiratory infections. Treatment depends on the type of pathogen (bacteria or virus).

The patient is isolated in another room and given separate dishes and care items. He must comply with the following rules:

  1. bed rest in the first days of illness, especially at high temperatures;
  2. limiting physical activity;
  3. non-irritating, soft food, mainly vegetable and dairy, plenty of warm drinks.

Complications for the body

Despite the fact that sore throat seems to be a minor disease and many people ignore its comprehensive treatment, it is fraught with numerous complications. Complications of angina are conventionally divided into local and general.

Local complications of sore throat:

  • abscesses of surrounding soft tissues (formation of large cavities filled with pus);
  • phlegmon (diffused accumulation of pus, unlimited);
  • otitis;
  • swelling of the larynx;
  • bleeding from the tonsils.

Are common:

  • rheumatism;
  • kidney damage;
  • gastrointestinal tract damage;
  • penetration of infectious agents from the throat into the chest;
  • spread of infectious agents into the cranial cavity;
  • Sepsis is the most severe complication of tonsillitis.

To avoid these complications, it is necessary to consult a specialist in time to choose the right tactics for treating sore throat.

Diagnostics

When the first symptoms of the disease appear, you should contact an ENT doctor or an infectious disease specialist. If this is not possible, a general practitioner or pediatrician, as well as a family doctor, can make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment. If complications develop, a cardiologist, nephrologist, and rheumatologist participate in the treatment of the patient.

When making a diagnosis, the clinical picture of the disease, anamnesis data are taken into account, and the patient is prescribed pharyngoscopy and a bacterial culture test. A differential diagnosis of sore throat with ARVI, acute pharyngitis and pharyngeal diphtheria is mandatory.

The main signs to identify a bacterial infection:

  • severe redness and swelling of the tonsils and uvula;
  • purulent sore throat with areas of gray plaque;
  • coating on the tongue;
  • enlarged cervical lymph nodes;
  • the formation of a peritonsillar abscess, in which one tonsil is pushed towards the center of the soft palate, towards the uvula, is a sign of severe disease;
  • pain accompanied by drooling, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing and breathing.

Treatment of sore throat in adults

In most cases, treatment of angina is carried out on an outpatient basis, but in case of severe cases, the patient is hospitalized in the infectious diseases department. Do not forget that you should limit the patient’s communication with family members so as not to spread the infection.

Provide the patient with separate dishes and a towel. With proper and timely treatment, recovery occurs in approximately seven days.

Medicines are prescribed to the patient depending on what symptoms he or she experiences. In case of severe pain, he needs to take anesthetic substances.

Drugs for the treatment of sore throat:

  1. Fusafungin (bioparox) - inhalation, 4 inhalations by mouth every 4 hours for 4-5 days. May cause irritation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa, bronchospasm, and allergic reactions.
  2. Ambazon - keep the tablet in your mouth until it is completely dissolved (adults 3-5 tablets per day, children from 3 to 7 years old 1 tablet 3 times a day for 3-4 days). After taking the tablet, refrain from eating and drinking for 3 hours.
  3. Gramicidin - the tablet is kept in the mouth (behind the cheek) until it is completely dissolved. Use 2 tablets (one after the other for 20-30 minutes) 4 times a day for 2-3 days.
  4. In severe cases of the disease, the use of the following drugs is recommended: Hexoral Stopangin Strepsils Luxury Lugol.
  5. Antihistamines. The following drugs are indicated: Suprastin, Tavegil, Fenkarol, Loratadine, Claritin, etc.
  6. To reduce body temperature and reduce pain, antipyretic drugs and analgesics are prescribed.
  7. For sore throat, the symptoms subside thanks to absorbable tablets with menthol-based drugs. Instead, you can use special aerosols. Their use helps relieve pain that occurs in the throat during a sore throat.

If the body temperature persists for more than 5 days, the treatment regimen should be changed, as this indicates its ineffectiveness.

Antibiotics

In adults, antibiotics may not be used at the first sign of illness. They are indicated only in case of bacterial nature of the infection. With properly selected antibacterial therapy, the patient's condition improves quickly. But the doctor’s task is not only to quickly recover the patient, but also to prevent the development of complications. This is achieved by completely destroying the pathogen, which occurs when antibiotics are used for at least 10 days.

How many days, in what way, and what dosage of the medicine should be taken is prescribed by the attending physician.

Gargling

It is important to remember that when gargling, pathogenic microorganisms are washed out from the mucous membrane, so this must be done as often as possible. When gargling at home, you can use the following solutions:

After recovery, the patient is prescribed a control laboratory test, and if signs of complications are detected, consultation and subsequent treatment with a specialized specialist is strongly recommended.

Diet

For sore throat, liquid, pureed, warm, fortified food without hot seasonings and spices, drinking plenty of fluids (preferably alkaline mineral waters) are recommended; smoking must be avoided!

This meal includes the following dishes:

  • Porridges made with water or milk (oatmeal, rice, semolina) are liquid in consistency, reminiscent of jelly.
  • Puree soups, broths (with pieces of bread).
  • The bread should be white, without yeast and not too fresh, but not stale.
  • Boiled and preferably pureed or pureed vegetables: potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, pumpkin.
  • Pasta, but small ones are better.
  • Boiled eggs, omelettes.
  • Dietary fish varieties: bream, pollock, cod.
  • Steamed or boiled dishes: cutlets, meatballs. They are prepared from dietary meat: chicken, veal, rabbit.
  • Dairy products should be low in fat. Cottage cheese is taken to a cream-like consistency.
  • Fruits need to be baked or boiled.

When treating tonsillitis it is necessary:

  • reduce the amount of proteins (up to seventy grams), carbohydrates (up to three hundred grams), fats (up to about sixty grams);
  • increase the number of meals up to five times, eat in small portions;
  • boil food, steam it, and then serve it in chopped form;
  • eat vegetables, various cereals;
  • do not eat hot or cold foods;
  • drink drinks containing vitamins: fruit drinks, herbal teas, sugar-free jelly.

Folk remedies

Traditional methods of treatment are aimed at reducing inflammation in the pharynx, strengthening the body's defenses, and speeding recovery after illness. For these purposes, decoctions of plants with anti-inflammatory effects (chamomile, sage, oak bark), teas and infusions of berries with a high content of vitamins (currants, cranberries, rose hips) are used.

  1. Calendula inflorescences, plantain leaves, wormwood grass - equal amounts of everything. Pour 1 tablespoon of the mixture into 1 cup of boiling water, simmer over low heat for minutes, strain. Gargle with warm solution every 2 hours.
  2. Beetroot juice. Grate the beets, squeeze out the juice and gargle with it. Using the same analogy, you can prepare carrot juice, either used alone or diluted with beet juice.
  3. Sage leaf - 3 parts, chamomile flowers - 3 parts, love spell herb - 3 parts, brew 1 teaspoon of the mixture with 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes, strain. Gargle for sore throat and pharyngitis.
  4. Pour 3-5 pieces of spicy cloves into a glass of boiling water and leave for 2 hours. Take 50 g of the infusion, but you can take the whole infusion depending on the severity of the disease.
  5. Grate a glass of beets, pour in a tablespoon of vinegar, and let the mixture settle. Then squeeze out the juice, gargle with it and swallow 1-2 tablespoons.

Forecast

As for the prognosis of treatment, for catarrhal tonsillitis the prognosis for treatment is favorable in all cases. The disease goes away especially quickly if treatment is started in a timely manner. Favorable prognosis for the treatment of follicular and lacunar tonsillitis. But still, they can lead to the development of chronic tonsillitis.

Severe complications are caused by necrotizing tonsillitis of any form of complexity. The most common complications are rheumatism and glomerulonephritis.

Prevention

Preventing a disease is always more profitable and easier than treating it. Prevention of sore throat is no exception. At home, you can carry out some simple procedures and follow rules that reduce the risk of getting sick:

  • In order to avoid contracting a sore throat, it is also important not to maintain contact with a person with a sore throat, not to use common household items, etc.
  • Daily exercises, walking in the fresh air, wiping and dousing with cold water, contrast showers - all this can work wonders on the immune system;
  • Proper nutrition. It directly affects the immune system, therefore, it should be rich in healthy food that carries vitamins and minerals to the body, and not fat and cholesterol.
  • And one of the basic rules for adults is sanitation of the oral cavity, timely treatment of diseases such as caries, nasal congestion, and adenoiditis.

At the first symptoms of a sore throat, be sure to consult a therapist or ENT doctor for proper treatment.

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Complications after a sore throat

The article describes the main types of complications of angina, their symptoms and methods of treatment are given.

Purulent tonsillitis, or acute tonsillitis, is a common and dangerous infectious disease. It is fraught with serious complications for the patient, regardless of his age. The causes of the disease and the forms of its course are varied. They can be installed in the laboratory. The selection of treatment methods and the prescription of specific drugs depends on the accuracy of the diagnosis.

Symptoms characterizing tonsillitis: high body temperature, pain when swallowing, purulent manifestations on the tonsils, swollen lymph nodes, chills, weakness of the body, cough. Sore throat itself is not so dangerous. However, if left untreated, it can cause serious harm. Strict adherence to treatment procedures and bed rest is necessary. Serious harm to health is caused by complications after tonsillitis in adults, which can manifest themselves after a significant period of time (from several days to a month) after completion of treatment. Complications can be both local and general.

Complications from local sore throat

When they occur, the effects of pathogenic microorganisms on individual areas of the body damaged as a result of a sore throat. As a rule, they do not pose a serious threat to the patient, but nevertheless require a special treatment approach. What are the complications after a sore throat?

  • Abscesses are large and painful purulent abscesses of tissue. Accompanied by high temperature (up to 40 ° C) and spasm of the masticatory muscles. The patient has difficulty swallowing food and turning his head. They are dangerous due to the possibility of destruction of blood vessels and the entry of bacteria into them that cause sepsis. Bleeding, phlebitis and thrombophlebitis cannot be ruled out. Abscesses can break out on their own or they can be opened surgically. In some cases, tonsil removal is required. The most difficult option is a retropharyngeal abscess. It occurs only in children due to the presence of lymph nodes. Creates breathing problems and causes suffocation. It can only be treated by surgery.
  • Phlegmon. In many ways similar to an abscess. However, purulent processes spread not only to the tonsils, but also to the tendons, subcutaneous tissue, and muscles. Symptoms: sharp pain in the throat, slurred speech, change in voice, smell of acetone from the mouth, excessive salivation, unnatural head position, increased body temperature. It is treated with antibiotics, but surgery can also be used.
  • Otitis. It can be one-sided or two-sided. Treatment is carried out in combination with throat therapy. Strong antibiotics are used. Self-medication is unacceptable, since antimicrobial agents, if used incorrectly, will create a danger to humans. Bed rest is required. In case of bleeding, treatment is carried out in a hospital.
  • Bleeding from the tonsils. Stop by ligating blood vessels or cold treatment (cryotherapy). The operation is often performed under endotracheal anesthesia (immersion into deep sleep with muscle relaxation). Treatment at home is prohibited.
  • Swelling of the larynx. The most dangerous consequence of tonsillitis. Symptoms: difficulty breathing with signs of suffocation, bluish skin tone, sensation of a foreign object in the throat, pain when swallowing, high fever. If not treated in a timely manner, death is possible. Treatment is medicinal.

With timely and correct treatment, local complications after a sore throat do not pose a great danger. The disease quickly stops. Patients recover within a few days. Self-medication should be avoided, especially attempts to remove pus with foreign objects.

General or systemic complications

Why is sore throat dangerous?

  • Heart complications. The cause is rheumatism. Very dangerous for humans. Most often occurs during self-medication. If treatment procedures are not followed correctly and medications are selected incorrectly, the body produces antibodies that suppress connective tissue proteins. As a result, rheumatic nodes are formed. The muscles stop contracting normally. A heart defect develops. All this can provoke myocardial infarction and the formation of blood clots. Symptoms: arrhythmia, angina pectoris, pain in the heart area, frequent and intermittent breathing, rapid heartbeat, swelling of the legs, shortness of breath. Cardiological treatment. Prevention – complete and qualified treatment of sore throat.
  • Complications on the joints. They are also a consequence of incompletely cured purulent tonsillitis. Streptococcus bacteria interfere with the proper functioning of the body. Rheumatism of the joints occurs. The main symptoms are acute pain, swelling, swelling, fever, dry cough. Most often, the disease affects the joints of the lower extremities (knees, ankles), as well as the joints of the elbows, hands, and others.

To overcome the negative consequences, it is necessary to cure a sore throat, then stay in bed for several days and avoid hypothermia. Subsequently, use special preparations. Physiotherapy brings good results.

  • Complication of the kidneys after a sore throat. There are two types: pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis. Occur from several days to a month after illness. The main danger is the transition of diseases to the chronic stage, including during the period of renal failure (with glomerulonephritis). Symptoms of pyelonephritis are lumbar pain, chills, high fever, frequent urination. Glomerulonephritis is accompanied by edema, blood in the urine, and high blood pressure. Both diseases require immediate hospitalization and the full arsenal of therapeutic measures.
  • Complications with the appendix. Occurs as a result of infection. Treatment is surgery.
  • Sepsis is blood poisoning. A very dangerous general complication of sore throat. Can occur at any stage of the disease. The causative agents are streptococcal bacteria that accompany purulent tonsillitis. The disease progresses very quickly. The patient's condition can worsen in a matter of hours. Pustules appear on the body. Bedsores may form and the body becomes dehydrated. Sepsis can affect the central nervous, cardiovascular and renal systems. Intoxication of the body occurs. Sepsis is treated only in a hospital setting, often in the intensive care unit.
  • Streptococcal toxic shock. It is a consequence of poisoning the body with streptococcal toxins. It is rare with purulent sore throat. But the consequences are very serious. In 3 out of 10 cases, the disease ends in death. The causes of death were shock and respiratory failure. The disease progresses rapidly. Therefore, early diagnosis is important. But as a rule, patients go to medical institutions late, when the symptoms of the disease leave them practically no other choice. These include fever, kidney pain, breathing problems, and skin rashes. Treatment is carried out in intensive care. Mechanical ventilation is often required. The difficulty of treatment lies in the fact that medical scientists have not yet fully identified the mechanisms of bacterial spread. The accumulation of bacterial toxins varies from person to person.
  • Chronic tonsillitis. It is a direct consequence of an incompletely cured sore throat. The reason is infectious bacteria located in the tissues of the tonsils. In a healthy body they are localized by the immune system. Therefore, they do not have a negative impact on humans. When suffering from purulent tonsillitis, especially if it is not treated correctly, the patient’s immunity is weakened. Bacteria quickly develop and aggravate the disease. Diagnosis is difficult due to the similarity at the initial stage of its symptoms with simple sore throat. In the complicated form, the signs of chronic tonsillitis take on a distinct form. The disease is accompanied by constantly inflamed tonsils and bad breath. Exacerbation of the disease is stable and often recurring. Treatment at the initial stage can be conservative. The lacunae are periodically cleaned, physiotherapy is carried out, and the necessary medications are taken. If there is no desired effect, the tonsils are removed.

Preventing complications with angina

Any doctor knows how to avoid complications after a sore throat. The main way to combat complications with purulent sore throat is the use of antibiotics. They destroy bacteria and, therefore, prevent damage to body tissues. If they are used in a timely manner (no later than a week after the onset of angina), the effect will be high. Almost any complications can be avoided. The correct definition of the medicinal drug is important here.

It is impossible to do without the participation of a qualified specialist. The principle of not treating the disease yourself should prevail. The same goes for diagnostics. There are many types of sore throats. It can be confused with pharyngitis. A prerequisite for any sore throat is bed rest. Carrying the disease on your feet should be avoided. At the slightest symptom of a complication of the disease, immediately contact a medical facility. Any delay can cause irreversible negative processes. Treatment must be comprehensive.

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Complications after a sore throat: possible consequences of an untreated disease. What to fear and how to avoid

Sore throat is a rather unpleasant disease that can put any restless child or strong man to bed. And what a relief a person experiences when the temperature drops, the symptoms of severe malaise disappear, and the throat stops hurting. However, it is unlikely that many people know that the danger lies not in the disease itself, but in complications after a sore throat. It is the complications that scare tonsillitis: the consequences of tonsillitis can appear 2-3 days after complete recovery and completion of the antibacterial course, some of them manifest themselves two or even three weeks after the illness.

All complications after tonsillitis can be divided into 2 groups: general and local. Their appearance depends on the correctness and timeliness of the treatment, the reactivity of the immune system, the general state of health and the presence of certain pathologies of organs and systems. As with other infectious diseases, complications usually affect the most vulnerable and weak organs, the inflammatory processes of which will certainly be in the patient's medical history. However, the impact of complications after a sore throat in children, and even in adults, can be completely unexpected.

Local complications: target - nearby organs

More serious general reactions may begin with local consequences after a sore throat. That is why during the recovery period you should carefully monitor the throat and the condition of nearby organs.

Ear infection

Otitis media tops the list of complications after tonsillitis in children. An infection from the throat through the Eustachian tube (the canal connecting the pharynx and middle ear) enters the ear with a strong cough. Otitis media can begin both in the midst of the disease and during the recovery period. However, shooting pains in the ear with a clear clinical picture of tonsillitis are not always a sign of incipient otitis.

Inflammation of the lymph nodes

Lymphadenitis, an enlargement of the submandibular lymph nodes, is observed with any form of tonsillitis. However, the inflammatory process in the lymphatic system can spread to the cervical and subclavian areas. Typically, lymphadenitis is treated conservatively, but suppuration of the lymph nodes is a direct path to the surgeon’s operating table.

Chronic tonsillitis

Severe tonsillitis or frequent cases of this disease can lead to the formation of chronic tonsillitis (enlargement of tonsil tissue). Depending on the degree of tonsil proliferation, the doctor chooses conservative or surgical treatment.

Laryngeal edema

A fairly rare complication after a sore throat, but very dangerous and requiring immediate action. With the catarrhal form of tonsillitis, it is unlikely. Severe swelling of the tonsils can spread to the entrance to the larynx with subsequent involvement of the vocal cords.

Attention: Rapidly developing difficulty breathing with this disease indicates the spread of edema to the larynx and a threat to life!

Abscesses

The appearance of a focus of suppuration on the back wall of the pharynx (retropharyngeal abscess) is observed in children less than 5-6 years old. Only babies have lymph nodes in this area, which then disappear. Local consequences of tonsillitis in adults can manifest as a paratonsillar abscess, when suppuration spreads to the tissue of the neck, extending beyond the tonsils. An even more serious complication is mediastinitis—involvement of the deep parts of the neck in the inflammatory process; pus can descend to the mediastinum.

Common complications: a sore throat strikes unexpectedly

Local consequences after a sore throat are not so terrible in comparison with the harm tonsillitis can cause to the body as a whole. The following may be at risk for tonsillitis:

Heart is at stake

Complications on the heart after a sore throat often make themselves felt 2-3 weeks after apparent cure. During illness, the body begins to produce antibodies that can neutralize the pathogen. Sometimes they can target cells in their own body, starting to destroy connective tissue proteins. This autoimmune process is called rheumatism. The disease usually accompanies patients with chronic tonsillitis, but in 10% of cases, rheumatism appears after a single case of this disease. A rheumatic complication of the heart after a sore throat can result in acquired heart valve defects, which develop over 3 months to 1 year.

Pain in the heart, arrhythmia, cyanosis and swelling of the extremities, and shortness of breath that appear after tonsillitis are signs of the onset of myocarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle. Severe myocarditis is characterized by fever, heart murmurs, and arrhythmia. Against this background, the development of thromboembolism is possible.

SOS: joints hurt after a sore throat

Rheumatism does not stop with damage to the connective tissue of the heart. The second, no less important sign of rheumatic complications after tonsillitis in adults and children is damage to the joints.

  • swelling, redness, wandering pain in the joints;
  • large symmetrical joints (knees, elbows, etc.) are damaged in waves;
  • fever.

An extremely rare complication characterized by the detection of bacteria in the damaged joint. It occurs only when patients with tonsillitis refuse antibiotics.

Is sore throat bad for the kidneys?

The kidneys are the second organ after the heart that are most susceptible to consequences after tonsillitis in adults. 1-2 weeks after tonsillitis, pyelonephritis (inflammation of the kidney tissue) or glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the glomeruli of the kidneys) may begin. Glomerulonephritis after this disease is extremely rare. A high temperature that does not respond to conventional antipyretics, back pain, severe intoxication may indicate the onset of inflammation in the kidneys. The most dangerous is the transition of the disease to the purulent stage and the development of renal failure.

Meningitis after a sore throat: rare, but accurate

It is extremely rare that in children and people with weakened immune systems, local complications such as peritonsillar abscess can lead to the spread of infection through the blood to the brain. Meningitis, characterized by inflammation of the meninges, is clinically manifested by severe weakness, pallor and swelling of the skin, shortness of breath, severe headaches, and high fever. A distinctive sign of meningitis is a bluish rim around the lips. Suspicion of meningitis is a serious reason to call a doctor.

Tonsillogenic sepsis

Perhaps the most life-threatening consequence after a sore throat. Acute sepsis awaits the patient from the first day of tonsillitis; such a complication is possible even with the catarrhal form of the disease. When the infection spreads through the bloodstream throughout the body, the patient’s condition sharply worsens, and the tonsils are almost completely saturated with pus.

Specifics of complications of the disease in children

A child’s body reacts in its own way to various diseases, so complications after a sore throat in children can differ radically from the clinical picture in adults, not only in severity, but also in specific manifestations. Otitis media and retropharyngeal abscess described above are not the only possible consequences of tonsillitis for a small organism.

Scarlet fever

The course of streptococcal tonsillitis can be complicated by scarlet fever. Since most adults suffered this infection in childhood, this complication most often occurs at 4-8 years of age. This is also due to the fact that children have not yet developed antibodies to hemolytic streptococcus, which causes scarlet fever.

Bleeding tonsils

Weakness of the vascular walls in a child, combined with inflammation of the tonsils, can cause bleeding of varying intensity. Intensified cough only aggravates the picture, so if bleeding is detected, an urgent visit to the doctor is necessary. Bleeding, as a complication of angina in adults, is extremely rare, either in old age, when the walls of blood vessels are too fragile, or in weakened patients.

Endocarditis

A rheumatic complication of the heart after a sore throat in children is often endocarditis, which affects the internal layers of the heart. Gradually, the baby develops swelling, the phalanges of the fingers thicken, and the temperature rises to high values.

Attention: If a child has endocarditis, there are all signs of heart failure and bleeding is possible. However, heart pain may appear much later than other symptoms.

Why is tonsillitis dangerous for a pregnant woman?

Every expectant mother asks the question: is sore throat dangerous during pregnancy? Can the consequences of the disease affect the unborn child? A woman who has contracted the disease may not yet know that she is carrying a baby. The risk of tonsillitis complications in the first 4 weeks of pregnancy does not exceed the usual risk level. Since the female body has not yet had time to rebuild itself, antibiotics will cope with the disease without causing harm to the fetus.

Getting a sore throat at a later date is fraught with serious consequences for both the woman and her unborn baby:

  • increased toxicosis;
  • increased risk of myocarditis, glomerulonephritis;
  • the possibility of infection entering the fetus through the placental barrier;
  • due to high temperature, placental abruption and the threat of miscarriage are likely;
  • delayed fetal development, formation of organ malformations;
  • weakness of labor contractions.

Important: The consequences of sore throat during pregnancy, the possibility of their occurrence and severity directly depend on proper treatment. A woman's body, weakened by pregnancy, can react to tonsillitis in the most serious way: heart or kidney failure. There is also a risk of fetal malformations.

How to avoid complications of the disease?

The list of serious complications of tonsillitis is impressive and can cause panic. However, all these terrible consequences can be easily avoided by following a few simple rules:

  • You shouldn’t rely on your strong body and endure a sore throat on your feet. Bed rest will significantly reduce the risk of complications and allow you to recover faster.
  • Antibiotics for sore throat are required! The course should not be stopped before the time prescribed by the doctor. Treatment exclusively with rinses and traditional methods may not be sufficient. These methods, although effective, play the role of symptomatic treatment, and do not fight the actual causative agent of the disease.

Drinking plenty of fluids reduces the symptoms of general intoxication and reduces the harmful effects on the body.

  • Strengthening the body with hardening, vitamin courses and physical exercise makes it easier to endure the disease and avoid the consequences of tonsillitis.
  • Particular attention to your body’s signals not only during throat diseases, but also during the recovery period gives you a chance to quickly respond to any changes.
  • You need to take care of yourself equally during acute tonsillitis and after it. Repeated colds can be severe and have inevitable complications.
  • If you have a sore throat, you should not rely on your competence and try to get rid of the disease without taking antibiotics. Only correctly and, most importantly, a timely prescribed antibacterial course in combination with other methods will not leave a chance for any complications after a sore throat.

    Source: http://anginet.ru/lechenie-anginy/oslozhneniya-posle-anginy-posledstviya

    What complications can there be after a sore throat?

    Complications from a sore throat can be very serious. Sore throat is the popular name for acute tonsillitis. The disease itself is considered dangerous because it affects the functioning of internal organs. First of all, the functioning of the heart, joints and kidneys is disrupted. To prevent this, thorough treatment should begin with the detection of the first signs of the disease.

    Immunity should be maintained, since against the background of a weakened body, sore throat begins to progress. If the disease has not spared you, do not think that everything will work out. Immediately go to bed, start taking plenty of liquid, preferably warm, but not hot, gargle. Call a doctor at home, as the temperature may increase. He will prescribe you treatment, most likely with antibiotics.

    Streptococcus is considered to be the causative agent of sore throat. It is transmitted by airborne droplets, through close contact with a sick person or through the use of his personal belongings, such as dishes.

    Symptoms of the disease

    1. Pain when swallowing. It is especially unpleasant to swallow food and liquid; even just swallowing becomes unbearably painful.
    2. High temperature - up to degrees, which persists during an exacerbation.
    3. The lymph nodes are enlarged and can be felt upon palpation.
    4. Weakness, body aches, and a feeling of constant fatigue appear.
    5. Children may complain of ear pain and excessive salivation. Lost appetite.
    6. If the sore throat is purulent in nature, then a white or yellowish coating forms on the tonsils.

    Sore throat: complications in adults

    Complications can be general and local:

    1. General complications affect the entire body. They disrupt the functioning of internal organs: heart, kidneys, circulatory system. They can cause rheumatic diseases and blood poisoning (sepsis).
    2. Local complications are not so dangerous to health; they affect a separate area. But nevertheless, they are just as unpleasant. These include ulcers, purulent inflammation of soft tissues, abscesses, otitis media, laryngeal edema, almond bleeding.

    The consequences of sore throat should be considered in more detail.

    Heart complications. With a sore throat, the body begins to produce protective antibodies, often this happens in excess, and the antibodies begin to suppress the production of proteins. And first of all, the heart begins to suffer from this. Rheumatism of the heart appears. The first signs of this disease are arrhythmia, rapid heartbeat, and pain in the chest area. These signs may appear two weeks after a sore throat, if there was no proper treatment and the patient spent this period without bed rest.

    Joint dysfunction. In second place is damage to the joints of the arms and legs. May feel pain in this area, swelling and redness of the extremities are observed. Joints can hurt in childhood.

    Kidneys. In rare cases, kidney complications may occur after a sore throat. They can cause diseases such as:

    1. Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys that quickly becomes chronic.
    2. Glomerulonephritis is the chronic stage of pyelonephritis, occurring in acute renal failure.

    All this causes the body to malfunction, since all organs are interconnected. The temperature rises significantly, general intoxication appears, and pain is felt in the lower back.

    Ear, nose and throat. Since all these organs are located close to each other, the complication can spread to the nose or ear. Frequent manifestations of tonsillitis can be otitis media, however, they rarely become chronic. It’s worse if the sore throat affects the brain and meningitis develops, in which case the disease may be incompatible with life.

    Retropharyngeal abscess often occurs with local complications. In this case, a cavity is formed in the tonsil area, which is filled with pus. In this case, swallowing becomes very painful, the temperature rises, the general condition worsens, the lymph nodes enlarge, and over time, due to poor air flow, it becomes difficult to breathe. Treatment includes surgical drainage of the cavity.

    Complications can spread to the ears, where the inflammatory process of a certain area of ​​the ear begins: the eardrum, middle ear, mastoid process. In this case, there is a sharp pain in the ear, which radiates to the temple and teeth. There is general weakness of the body and high temperature.

    Chronic tonsillitis. Chronic tonsillitis can develop after frequent tonsillitis. It is dangerous because the constant presence of infection in the throat leads to poisoning of the body and further damage to internal organs, especially the kidneys. To avoid the appearance of chronic tonsillitis, you need to constantly rinse and wash your tonsils. If treatment does not produce results and entails negative consequences, then the tonsils are surgically removed.

    Appendicitis. It can often occur in conjunction with a sore throat. Many doctors suggest that this happens because the appendix begins to fight the infection and takes part of the blow. But since the lesion does not bypass it, the inflammatory process begins.

    Sepsis. Sepsis is blood poisoning. Occurs as a complication after tonsillitis. It can develop at any stage of the disease, even at the time of remission. At the same time, the temperature rises, breathing becomes intermittent and frequent, blood pressure rises, and shortness of breath appears. Ulcers appear in the organs, and the lymph nodes are enlarged. The patient needs urgent hospitalization, where antiseptic treatment will be carried out.

    Complications of sore throat in children

    Children at a young age cannot explain what is bothering them, and therefore it is during this period that serious complications after a sore throat are possible. The situation may become more complicated due to the anatomical location of the lymph nodes in children. They are located on the back of the pharynx in the area of ​​the spine and, when advanced, can become covered with pustules. Even with careful gargling, it is impossible to get rid of them. Surgical intervention is required to remove the suppuration. Without this method, the ulcers grow larger and lead to even greater complications.

    Late consequences of sore throat

    The most dangerous are late complications of previous tonsillitis. If left untreated, streptococcal infection can negatively affect many internal organs. Diseases such as polyarthritis, myocarditis, glomerulonephritis and rheumatism develop.

    Streptococci themselves cannot enter the internal organs, but their waste products are carried through the bloodstream throughout the body, entering the organs, provoking inflammatory and allergic reactions there. For this reason, the consequences of previous sore throats may appear after a long time. It can last from 10 to 14 days, during this period a person can feel absolutely healthy.

    Some diseases, if an acute form does not develop, can manifest themselves even after several years, for example, glomerulonephritis.

    Other diseases begin to manifest themselves after a short period of time. Based on what you have read, you should once again warn that treatment of sore throat should be carried out strictly under the supervision of a doctor and with the use of antibiotics that can destroy the staphylococcal infection and prevent further complications.

    Source: http://gorlozdorovo.ru/tonzillit/oslozhneniya-posle-anginy.html

    Complications after a sore throat: how to avoid

    Sore throat is an infectious disease that is inflammatory in nature and affects the throat and pharynx area. This pathology is considered one of the most frequently diagnosed and can be caused not only by infection, but also by some other factors. A sore throat should be treated professionally using medications (folk remedies alone are not enough). If you ignore doctors’ prescriptions/recommendations or do not complete the course of therapy, serious complications may arise.

    Types of sore throat

    In medicine, there are several types of the disease in question, each of which has its own special characteristics.

    1. Catarrhal. The mildest type of sore throat, which occurs even without hyperthermia (increased body temperature). The main signs of a sore throat include a slight sore throat, mild pain when swallowing food/liquid, a mild cough, and moderate weakness in the body. As a rule, the symptoms of catarrhal tonsillitis disappear literally on the 3rd day, but if there was no treatment from the first hours of the disease, then the disease will probably simply turn into a different type - a more severe one.
    2. Follicular. Always begins with a sudden rise in temperature, readings can be critically high, leading to chills and fever. The patient experiences all the manifestations of intoxication of the body - general weakness, slight dizziness, pain in the muscles (“twists”) and joints, and often a mild pain syndrome appears in the heart area.
    3. Lacunarnaya. The symptoms of this type of sore throat are very similar to those of follicular sore throat, but the first type is always more severe. In addition to swelling of the palatine tonsils and pharynx, white (sometimes

    yes yellow) plaque. Please note: lacunar and follicular tonsillitis can be diagnosed in a patient at the same time.

  • Fibrinous. It begins with a sharp increase in temperature, chills and fever, signs of intoxication. A distinctive feature of this type of sore throat is the presence of a white coating, which extends beyond the palatine tonsils and represents a continuous “covering”. Important: with fibrinous tonsillitis, the doctor must differentiate it from diphtheria.
  • Herpetic. This type of angina is characterized by a non-classical onset of development - sn

    Initially, the patient complains of flu symptoms, then after 1-2 days the symptoms of a sore throat itself begin to appear - sore throat, sore throat, general signs of intoxication (poisoning) of the body. And only on the 3-4th day of illness can the patient develop rashes on the throat and palate, characteristic of the herpetic type of sore throat.

  • In addition, in medicine there is also a distinction between phlegmonous tonsillitis and ulcerative necrotic tonsillitis. But they are always a consequence of untreated above-mentioned types of sore throat.

    Symptoms and diagnosis

    Of course, each type of sore throat has certain symptoms, but there are a number of signs of this disease that will be characteristic of all types.

    1. Firstly, this is an increase in temperature. It is always sudden and develops rapidly - with angina there are no low-grade fevers. Hyperthermia levels are so high that the patient is overcome by chills and fever - these are also considered symptoms of a sore throat.
    2. Secondly, a sore throat. Almost immediately after the infection enters the body, it hurts

    he will complain of a sore throat and sore throat. At first it is mild, but over the course of hours it can develop to maximum intensity - the patient sometimes does not

    can even swallow its own saliva.

  • Thirdly, signs of intoxication. There has never been a patient with tonsillitis in the history of medicine who could lead a normal lifestyle. Weakness, lethargy, drowsiness are always present, there is no appetite, pain (“aches”) in the muscles and joints, and attacks of nausea (but without vomiting) may be observed.
  • Diagnosing a sore throat is quite easy, only in some cases a specific examination will be required - this is necessary to differentiate diphtheria.

    Which nebulizer is most often chosen for a runny nose and cough is indicated here.

    How to make a solution for a nebulizer for a runny nose is indicated here.

    Typically, diagnostic measures to identify any type of sore throat are as follows:

    1. Questioning the patient - when the signs appeared, how intense, whether the stool is changed (constipation/diarrhea).
    2. Examination of the patient - the appearance of the skin and mucous membranes is checked, the surface of the tongue and throat is examined, even a slight redness of the latter gives reason to diagnose a sore throat.
    3. A thorough examination of the throat, possibly using special equipment.
    4. Laboratory examination of blood tests - a high level of white blood cells will be noted.

    Complications of sore throat

    Sore throat is an insidious disease of an infectious-inflammatory nature, which can cause complications in principle on any organs and systems in the body. Of course, medicine keeps some kind of statistics - it was found that most often angina “leaves traces” only on some organs.

    Heart

    Heart complications are the most common complications after tonsillitis

    Most often, a sore throat causes a complication on the most important organ in the body - the heart. This complication manifests itself in the form of rheumatic damage to the tissues of this organ. The fact is that complications mainly affect connective tissues, and they are the ones that accumulate in the heart in the greatest quantities.

    How a runny nose is treated with an inhaler in children is indicated in the article.

    How to use the Omron inhaler for children can be found here in the article: http://prolor.ru/g/lechenie/ingalyator-omron-dlya-detej.html

    It is noted that rheumatic heart disease is diagnosed more often in patients under the age of 15 years, after suffering from a sore throat. The danger of such a complication lies in the external well-being of the patient’s health - without a specific examination and consultation with a cardiologist, it is problematic to even suspect existing complications.

    Remember! Rheumatic damage to the connective tissue of the heart leads to the development of various defects and makes the patient disabled.

    Kidneys

    Doctors say that it is the kidneys that take the hit due to sore throat - this is the second organ in the frequency of complications. As a rule, pyelonephritis and glorumelonephritis are considered as complications - inflammatory processes affecting the pyelocaliceal region of the organ. Two or one kidney is affected with equal frequency, but signs of such a complication appear no later than 14 days after getting rid of a sore throat. The patient begins to complain of lower back pain, increased body temperature, and changes in urination.

    Pyelonephritis/glorumelonephritis should be treated and monitored only in a hospital. Self-medication is unacceptable, as this can lead to the development of chronic pathological processes.

    Joints

    Most often, rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed after a sore throat.

    If a sore throat causes complications in the joints, then the rheumatic component of the pathologies will probably be detected. And most often, after suffering from a sore throat, rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed, and it mainly affects the knee joints, but sometimes the patient notes all the signs of the disease in smaller ones. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include swelling and pain in the joints, impaired mobility, redness and fever in the affected joint.

    The danger is that rheumatoid arthritis is considered an incurable disease - you can only correct the patient’s condition, relieving him of discomfort and pain.

    Otitis (inflammation of the middle ear) is most often diagnosed as a complication after catarrhal tonsillitis, but it often occurs against the background of other types of this infectious-inflammatory process. Ear pain, sometimes unbearable, radiating to the jaw and head, fever - all this, of course, can be quickly treated.

    The danger of complications of sore throat in the ears is that with the development of chronic otitis media, partial or complete hearing loss may occur.

    Video

    You will learn more about angina from this video:

    Sore throat is only at first glance a safe disease - many are generally confident that you can get it at least every month. But the statistics tell a different story - the percentage of complications is steadily growing from year to year. To protect yourself from such troubles, you should listen to generally accepted recommendations:

    1. A sore throat should “leave” in a supine position—the patient must remain in bed. Otherwise, when the disease is carried “on the legs,” rheumatoid joint lesions develop.
    2. Be sure to drink a lot - this will help remove toxins from the body and significantly reduce the level of intoxication.
    3. After treatment, you should not immediately engage in an active life - limit yourself to physical exercise and recreational activities for a couple of weeks.

    It is quite possible to avoid complications after a sore throat - you need to properly treat the inflammatory-infectious process, strengthen and enhance the immune system, and be under the supervision of doctors until even the slightest sign of the disease completely disappears.

    Source: http://prolor.ru/g/lechenie/oslozhneniya-posle-anginy.html