Pharyngitis disease

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Pharyngitis

What is pharyngitis: general information about the disease

Pharyngitis is an inflammatory disease of the mucous membrane and lymphoid tissue of the pharynx. In the vast majority of cases, pharyngitis is viral or bacterial in nature, most often combined with tonsillitis.

Table of contents:

Causes of pharyngitis

The main cause of pharyngitis is inhalation of cold, hot or polluted air. Chemical irritants contained in tobacco and alcohol also have a negative effect on the pharyngeal mucosa.

As for infectious pharyngitis, it is provoked by various pathogenic microorganisms (streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, viruses, fungi). Pharyngitis can also develop when infection spreads from any internal organ with a focus of inflammation. For example, pharyngitis can develop with rhinitis, sinusitis and dental caries.

In some cases, the cause of pharyngitis is the Epstein-Barr virus or cytomegalovirus.

Among the negative factors in the development of pharyngitis, it is worth highlighting:

  • prolonged hypothermia;
  • eating food that is too cold;
  • the presence of an infectious process in the body;
  • decrease in the body's defenses, state of immunodeficiency;
  • prolonged irritation of the mucous membrane of the oropharynx.

The risk group includes children who have not yet developed immunity and are unable to cope with pathogenic microorganisms.

Types of disease: classification of pharyngitis

Pharyngitis can be acute or chronic. Acute pharyngitis develops within a short period of time after exposure of the mucous membrane to some aggressive factor (pathogenic microorganisms, extreme temperatures, etc.). The course of the acute form of the disease is usually favorable.

Insufficient treatment of acute pharyngitis can lead to chronic disease. However, chronic pharyngitis also develops as an independent disease, in particular, with prolonged irritation of the pharyngeal mucosa. Chronic pharyngitis is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation.

Depending on the cause, acute and chronic pharyngitis are divided into the following types:

  • Viral – caused by viruses.
  • Bacterial – caused by pathogenic bacteria.
  • Fungal – caused by fungi.
  • Allergic – occurs as an allergic reaction to a certain substance. Many substances contained in food, plants, microorganisms and other sources can act as allergens.
  • Traumatic – developing due to injuries.

The most common form of acute pharyngitis is catarrhal, which occurs during ARVI. According to medical observations, in more than 70% of cases, pharyngitis develops as a result of a viral infection. The most common viral pathogens are rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, adenoviruses, influenza viruses, syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus.

Symptoms of pharyngitis: how the disease manifests itself

The main symptom of acute pharyngitis is a sore and sore throat, as well as a dry cough. Sometimes it is possible to increase body temperature to 38 degrees Celsius.

With the development of pharyngitis against the background of ARVI and other infectious diseases, the clinical picture is complemented by other symptoms: high temperature, difficulty breathing, intoxication, and others.

With pharyngitis, the mucous membrane of the pharynx becomes red, and in some places small ulcerations are possible.

Chronic pharyngitis is characterized by less pronounced symptoms. As a rule, this is a feeling of dryness and sore throat, as well as a dry cough. The period of exacerbation of chronic pharyngitis resembles acute pharyngitis in its course.

Quite often, pharyngitis spreads to the middle ear and can lead to symptoms of otitis media. Also, in some cases, pharyngitis is accompanied by tooth pain.

Patient's actions with pharyngitis

If you notice the first symptoms of pharyngitis, you should consult a doctor. Frequent rinsing of the oropharynx with antiseptic solutions is recommended. The use of any medications for pharyngitis should be under the supervision of the attending physician.

Diagnosis of pharyngitis

Pharyngitis is diagnosed by an otolaryngologist based on symptoms characteristic of the disease and pharyngoscopy data. If infectious pharyngitis is suspected, a bacteriological or virological examination of a pharyngeal swab can be performed, if necessary.

The main diagnostic method for suspected pharyngitis remains pharyngoscopy, with which the doctor can assess the condition of the palatine tonsils, as well as see redness and swelling of the mucous membrane. Posterior rhinoscopy can provide the specialist with additional information about the course of the pathological process.

In exceptional cases, with pharyngitis, an ultrasound of the ENT organs may be prescribed.

Treatment of pharyngitis

Treatment of pharyngitis primarily involves eliminating the causes and negative factors that provoke the development of the disease. Often, with acute pharyngitis or exacerbation of chronic pharyngitis, symptomatic treatment is sufficient, which includes following a gentle diet, hot foot baths, warm compresses, steam inhalations and gargling. If the patient smokes, then smoking should be stopped during treatment of the disease. Uncomplicated forms of pharyngitis, as a rule, do not require the use of antibacterial drugs, except for the use of local antiseptics in the form of lozenges and sprays.

Antibacterial drugs for the treatment of pharyngitis usually consist of one or more antiseptics, such as chlorhexidine, benzydamine, ambazone, thymol and others. In addition, the preparations also include some essential oils and local painkillers, for example, lidocaine, menthol, tetracaine and others. Sometimes such products also contain antibiotics (for example, fusafunzhin, framycetin), sulfonamides and deodorizing agents. Drugs used to treat pharyngitis may also contain bacterial lysates, natural antiseptic substances, immunomodulators, antiviral agents and vitamins.

Antibacterial drugs that are used to treat pharyngitis are prescribed in the form of rinses, inhalations, tablets and lozenges. The main requirements for such drugs are:

  • wide spectrum of antimicrobial action. Many of these agents simultaneously act against viruses, bacteria and even fungi;
  • lack of toxic effects and low speed from mucous membranes;
  • hypoallergenic;
  • no irritating effect on the mucous membrane of the oropharynx.

For atrophic pharyngitis with purulent crusts, you need to wash off the purulent plaque every day with an isotonic solution of sodium chloride with the addition of 3-5 drops of iodine. This simple solution relieves irritation of the mucous membrane and alleviates the symptoms of pharyngitis.

Periodically, for pharyngitis, it is recommended to lubricate the back wall of the pharynx with Lugol's solution. For atrophic pharyngitis, local medications with a drying effect should be avoided. Thus, doctors do not recommend the use of soda (since it reduces the activity of the secreting glands), as well as eucalyptus and sea buckthorn oil, since the latter dry out the mucous membrane of the oropharynx.

Physiotherapeutic procedures for pharyngitis include warming up, inhalations and warm compresses to reduce the inflammatory process in the oropharynx. Additionally, in the treatment of the disease, immunomodulatory drugs are used to restore the body's defenses after the disease.

Folk remedies are also used in the treatment of pharyngitis. In particular, the patient is prescribed rinses with decoctions of medicinal herbs that have an anti-inflammatory effect.

In very rare cases, pharyngitis is so severe that the patient may require surgery.

Complications of pharyngitis

If pharyngitis is not treated, the disease may be complicated by the development of the following conditions:

  • Chronic pharyngitis - occurs when acute pharyngitis is treated incorrectly or insufficiently.
  • Peritonsillar abscess - develops against the background of streptococcal pharyngitis.
  • Retropharyngeal abscess is a purulent lesion of the retropharyngeal space.
  • Chronical bronchitis.
  • Tracheitis.
  • Laryngitis.
  • Acute articular rheumatism, which can develop with streptococcal pharyngitis. Streptococci can affect the musculoskeletal system.
  • Inflammation of the auditory tube.
  • Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis.
  • Cervical lymphadenitis.
  • Sialadenitis is inflammation of the salivary glands.

Prevention of pharyngitis

Prevention of pharyngitis comes down to avoiding contact with provoking factors: cold and hot air, tobacco smoke, alcohol, irritating chemical fumes.

Hardening and other measures that increase the body's immune defense minimize the likelihood of developing infectious pharyngitis.

Associated symptoms:

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Pharyngitis: symptoms and treatment

Pharyngitis - main symptoms:

  • Headache
  • Weakness
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Vomit
  • Sore throat
  • A sore throat
  • Dry cough
  • Pain when swallowing
  • Ear congestion
  • Dry throat
  • Swallowing disorder

Pharyngitis is an inflammatory disease of the lymphoid tissue and pharyngeal mucosa. Pharyngitis, the symptoms of which are characterized primarily by an infectious nature, in rare cases occurs in isolation, and therefore the main manifestations of this disease are most often combined with diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

general description

Quite often, the disease in question is observed in middle-aged and senile people. Pharyngitis in children, as a rule, occurs in an acute form. In addition, statistics regarding the incidence of pharyngitis indicate that men get sick more often than women.

Pharyngitis, as you have already noticed, can be acute, but its transition to a chronic form is not excluded. The disease is accompanied by a sore throat, a feeling of general discomfort and a sore throat.

Considering the peculiarity that the pharynx is anatomically divided into three main sections (nasopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx), the inflammatory processes developing in it can also be conditionally divided into types corresponding to their localization. The division, we repeat, will be conditional, especially if we are talking about the acute form of pharyngitis, this is explained by diffuse damage to acute bacterial and viral infections of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. Accordingly, the nature of the emerging disease can be defined rather as migrating and, for the most part, descending.

In the chronic form of pharyngitis, the morphological changes occurring in the mucosal area are mainly concentrated in one of the pharyngeal sections, as a result of which it is possible to build on convention when identifying individual nosologies (for example, the chronic form of nasopharyngitis).

The development of pharyngitis occurs under the influence of an infectious agent, and in 70% of cases viruses act as such, and in the remaining 30% we are talking about a bacterial infection, an allergic reaction, a fungal infection or injury.

As for chronic pharyngitis, the development of the disease in this form occurs against the background of a long course of inflammation that occurs in the area of ​​the pharyngeal mucosa, as well as against the background of frequent colds or the addition of a viral infection to a bacterial infection that is already relevant to the disease. Unfavorable climate conditions, environmental conditions, and bad habits (smoking, alcohol) can also be identified as the cause of chronic pharyngitis. As we noted above, the chronic form of the disease lasts a long time.

The chronic form of pharyngitis, like any other chronic disease, worsens when immunity decreases, with the appearance of various types of infectious diseases, during hypothermia, and also as a result of the impact exerted on the body by loads and stress.

As a result of a long course of the inflammatory process, concentrated in the area of ​​mucous and lymphoid tissue, a disturbance occurs in their blood circulation, which, in turn, leads to atrophy. Based on the specific degree of the lesion, as well as its depth, they distinguish, respectively, the catarrhal form of pharyngitis, the hypertrophic form and the atrophic form. In intermediate forms between those listed, lateral and granulosa pharyngitis are also distinguished. We will consider each of these forms separately after providing general information about the symptoms of pharyngitis.

Symptoms of pharyngitis

The general picture of the symptoms of the disease we are considering in its acute form is extremely diverse, however, in most cases, patients’ complaints boil down to unpleasant sensations that occur during swallowing. They can manifest themselves in the form of dryness, soreness, burning or tickling, a feeling of a foreign body in the throat and other similar manifestations in this area. In addition, weakness, headaches (constant or periodic), and slight fever may occur.

In addition, acute pharyngitis can also occur in combination with such a symptom as enlargement of the occipital and submandibular lymph nodes; in some cases, pressure on them may be accompanied by pain. Congestion and pain in the ears in this case require immediate consultation with a doctor - such manifestations indicate the movement of an infection from the pharynx to the middle ear, which, in turn, can cause inflammation in it with subsequent hearing loss.

The listed symptoms can also accompany catarrhal tonsillitis or purulent tonsillitis, because the difference from it is the greater severity of the pain syndrome in combination with a sharp increase in temperature (up to 39°C). Sometimes these diseases can even be combined.

Pharyngitis in children is often diagnosed as an acute infectious disease (scarlet fever, measles). In some cases, a disease such as diphtheria occurs in the form of manifestations of pharyngitis, which leads to not taking it too seriously. Diphtheria, in particular, is characterized by the formation of white or gray-white plaque in the area of ​​the tonsils and posterior wall, which is difficult to remove.

Some types of neurological disorders and systemic diseases can also be masked by the symptoms of pharyngitis. Considering this factor, signs indicating possible pharyngitis cannot be ignored, just as one cannot completely rely on self-medication in this situation.

Chronic pharyngitis

The symptoms of chronic pharyngitis are not accompanied by an increase in temperature and a significant change in the general condition of the patient.

The main sensations described by patients boil down to soreness and dryness in the throat, to the presence of a “lump” in it, which makes it necessary to cough and expectorate. The manifestation of cough, as a rule, is persistent, this cough is dry. Current discomfort in the throat is mostly associated with the need to constantly swallow mucus concentrated in the area of ​​the posterior pharyngeal wall, as a result of which patients become irritable; this condition causes some discomfort in performing normal activities, and also disrupts the quality of sleep.

Let us highlight the main factors contributing to the appearance of chronic pharyngitis:

  • constitutional features relevant to the structure of the pharyngeal mucosa and gastrointestinal tract;
  • duration of exposure to exogenous factors (chemicals, smoky or dry and hot air, dust, etc.);
  • difficulties associated with nasal breathing (abuse of decongestants by patients, mouth breathing);
  • allergies;
  • bad habits (alcohol, smoking);
  • diabetes;
  • renal, cardiac, pulmonary failure;
  • endocrine type of disorder (hypothyroidism, menopause, etc.);
  • vitamin deficiency A.

Chronic pharyngitis, as a rule, is not an independent disease, occurring mainly with gastrointestinal pathologies (pancreatitis, cholecystitis, gastritis, etc.). If contents from the stomach enter the pharynx during sleep, which is possible against the background of gastroesophageal reflux disease or with a hernia in the area of ​​the esophageal opening of the diaphragm, chronic catarrhal pharyngitis often develops. In this case, the lack of measures to eliminate the main influencing cause leads to the fact that it is impossible to cure this form of pharyngitis - the treatment will be insufficient and will determine the short-term positive effect of its use.

Catarrhal pharyngitis

Catarrhal pharyngitis, as we noted earlier, is one of the forms of chronic pharyngitis. The main symptoms of catarrhal pharyngitis are the manifestation characteristic of the disease as a whole in the form of rawness in the throat and soreness in it, a sensation of the presence of a foreign body and mild pain when swallowing. A mucous, viscous discharge accumulates in the pharynx, which is why patients have to systematically expectorate and cough.

Coughing is especially noticeable in the morning; moreover, in some cases it may be accompanied by severe nausea and vomiting.

Pharyngoscopy, as a method for diagnosing the disease, reveals the presence of diffuse hyperemia in the pharyngeal mucosa, as well as its thickening, and the presence of purulent secretion on it. All this is caused by constant swelling, which is relevant in the chronic form of the disease for the connective tissue and affected mucosa.

Hypertrophic pharyngitis

Hypertrophic pharyngitis is the next form of chronic pharyngitis. This form is characterized by hypertrophy of the epithelium, which, in fact, determines its name. In addition, granules and other types of compactions appear. The mucous membrane becomes bright red, such inflammation does not appear everywhere in the affected area, and certain irregularities are noted in the upper membrane. A variant of manifestations also becomes possible, in which small vessels in the area of ​​certain areas of the mucous membrane are subject to enlargement, which creates a specific type of pattern from them.

The soft palate, like the uvula, is characterized by a sharp thickening, there is a sharp hyperplasia of the lymph nodes, which occurs due to exposure to irritating factors, which result in the formation of large grains of a red hue.

The symptoms are similar to the previous type of pharyngitis (its catarrhal form), but in this case it has a deeper and more pronounced nature of manifestations. Again, in the morning, coughing is especially severe, and nausea and vomiting are possible.

With this form of pharyngitis, hypertrophic degeneration in the tissues of the adenoids located on the lateral walls of the pharynx becomes possible. Vomiting movements lead to their significant protrusion forward, which makes it possible to examine them unhindered. With significant hypertrophy, the trigeminal nerve is irritated, as a result of which the cough becomes a reflex.

In some cases, lymphadenoid tissue forms long cords that can be seen behind the slightly infiltrated posterior arches. This type of pharyngitis is defined as lateral pharyngitis, in which the pharynx appears narrowed. In some cases, this form of pharyngitis can be combined with the granulosa form of pharyngitis.

Granular pharyngitis

The main symptom of the disease in this form is a peculiar manifestation in the form of tickling in the throat, scratching. Often, patients also feel dryness in the throat, and swallowing is accompanied by moderate pain. Again, the appearance of an abundant layer in the form of viscous and mucous secretions, tightly adjacent to the pharyngeal walls, is also noted. These secretions are difficult to expectorate; their separation from the walls of the pharynx practically does not occur.

The above processes are also accompanied by significant irritation of the pharynx, resulting in frequent vomiting.

At night, the accumulation of mucus occurs in a more intense manner; it may descend to the larynx area, as a result of which patients experience severe spasms in combination with bouts of severe coughing.

Granular pharyngitis is accompanied by severe damage to the lymphoid tissue, which in particular manifests itself in the form of red nodules of varying sizes, concentrated in the area of ​​the posterior pharyngeal wall. The formed granules become a strong irritant to the trigeminal nerve. Often there is a transition from granulosa pharyngitis to atrophic pharyngitis, as a result of which the lining of the pharynx is characterized by severe anemia and dryness that arise against the background of gland atrophy in combination with tissue fibrosis.

Atrophic pharyngitis

Chronic pharyngitis in this form acts as the last stage of this disease. Its completion is accompanied by the formation and development of progressive sclerosis of each of the organs of the mucous membrane, as well as the lymphoid and glandular apparatus and the submucosal layer.

In this case, the secretion becomes increasingly viscous, and it becomes difficult to separate. When the discharge dries, it forms dense crusts, causing patients to experience significant discomfort and anxiety.

Due to the crusts formed in the nasopharynx, patients develop paresthesia in various forms, as well as unpleasant sensations of the presence of a foreign body in this area. It also happens that these crusts, with considerable effort on the part of the patient, still stand out, taking the form of significant fragments, or even even casts from the surface of the nasopharynx.

The mucous membrane of the posterior pharyngeal wall becomes dry and pale, becomes shiny, and convoluted blood vessels can be seen through it. The sharpness of the pharyngeal reflexes expressed during the initial stages in the atrophic form of pharyngitis disappears completely, which indicates that atrophy also affects the nerve endings, not only the sensory nerves, but also the trophic nerves, that is, the autonomic ones. It is precisely because of this result that a generally disappointing line can be drawn regarding the possibility of achieving a reparative effect during treatment at this stage of the disease.

When considering chronic atrophic pharyngitis as the final stage of development of the previously listed forms of this disease, it can be determined that the result of its course is determined by the characteristics of an ordinary inflammatory process, the decisive role for which is assigned to pathological processes of a chronic nature of damage to the nasal pharyngeal part.

Meanwhile, for this reason, one should not miss the so-called essential (or genuine) atrophic pharyngitis, which acts as a primary constitutional disease, which, in turn, is a syndrome of systemic dystrophic disease of the gastrointestinal tract. This disease leads to hypotrophy of each of the gastrointestinal tract structures while simultaneously reducing their functional characteristics. Actual dysfunctions in this case include gastritis (anacidic, hypocidal), intestinal hypotension, functional type disorders related to the activity of the hepatolienal system, etc.

Mostly these disorders, which, quite possibly, may be characterized by a certain predisposition to them (congenital or acquired), occur in combination with the primary form of atrophic pharyngitis, and the manifestations of the latter may not have any specific infectious origin.

Accordingly, along with intestinal and gastric dyskinesia, disorders in the pharyngoesophageal region are also noted. This, in turn, leads to an understandable interest on the part of the doctor when determining atrophic pharyngitis in the current features of the patient’s gastrointestinal tract, and for the most part, patients will actually be able to identify the presence of certain symptoms of diseases in this area.

As a result of such a connection, the opposite effect cannot be ruled out, that is, if the therapy specific to the patient is effective, the condition of the pharynx also improves, and for this, sometimes it is not necessary to take any measures aimed at achieving this result.

It is noteworthy that chronic colitis can be accompanied by catarrhal pharyngitis, and in this case treatment should be comprehensive, that is, focused on both diseases.

Diagnosis

To diagnose the disease, it is enough to consult a doctor for a routine examination of the oral cavity. It may be necessary to collect (smear) the discharge, which is required to identify a specific type of pathogen in it.

Treatment of pharyngitis

Treatment of pharyngitis is symptomatic, unless, of course, the course of the disease is accompanied by a general deterioration in the patient’s condition. This includes a gentle diet and compresses to the front of the neck, hot foot baths, gargling, hot drinks, and inhalations.

Uncomplicated forms of the disease eliminate the need to use antibiotics. Local (rather than systemic) antimicrobial therapy is carried out. The prescription of antimicrobial drugs can be carried out with a focus on inhalation, insufflation or rinsing; in addition, lozenges and tablets, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and analgesic drugs can be prescribed.

The main criteria in choosing drugs are compliance with their wide spectrum of action (including antimicrobial and antiviral activity), low degree of absorption of drugs from mucous membranes, lack of toxic effect, reduced allergenicity and complete absence of irritating effect on the mucous membrane.

To diagnose the disease, you need to contact an otolaryngologist (ENT), you can first visit a therapist, who, after a general examination, will determine further actions and specialists for subsequent consultation.

If you think that you have Pharyngitis and the symptoms characteristic of this disease, then doctors can help you: an otolaryngologist, a therapist.

We also suggest using our online disease diagnostic service, which selects probable diseases based on the entered symptoms.

Hemolytic streptococcus is a gram-positive bacterium with a specific shape. Belongs to the lactobacilli family. Often it simultaneously coexists with Staphylococcus aureus. The bacterium can infect the body of any person - both an adult and a small child.

ARI (acute respiratory disease) is a group of illnesses of viral or bacterial origin, the characteristic feature of which is damage to the upper respiratory tract, symptoms of general intoxication of the body. Respiratory infections affect people of all ages, from young children to the elderly. This group of diseases manifests itself seasonally - more often pathologies occur when the seasons change (in the autumn-winter period). It is important to take timely measures to prevent acute respiratory infections so as not to become infected in the midst of an epidemic.

Tonsillitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the area of ​​the palatine tonsils and is characterized by a long-lasting course. Tonsillitis, the symptoms of which are also defined as the more common name for the disease “angina,” consists of pathological changes in the oropharynx that are similar to each other, but differ in the characteristics of their own etiology and course.

Catarrhal tonsillitis (acute tonsillopharyngitis) is a pathological process caused by pathogenic microflora and affecting the upper layers of the mucous membrane of the throat. This form, according to medical terminology, is also called erythematous. Of all the forms of sore throat, this one is considered the mildest, but this does not mean at all that it does not need to be treated. Only a qualified doctor can correctly tell how to treat catarrhal tonsillitis after a comprehensive diagnosis. It is also worth noting that treating an illness does not always require the use of antibacterial drugs.

Purulent tonsillitis is an illness of an infectious nature, which begins to progress due to the increased activity of pathogenic microorganisms, such as streptococcus, staphylococcus, etc. The pathology is characterized by the formation of specific purulent foci on the palatine tonsils. The disease has no restrictions regarding gender and age. It is diagnosed with equal frequency in both adults and children. But it is worth noting that in a child the disease is more severe and complications often develop after it.

With the help of exercise and abstinence, most people can do without medicine.

Symptoms and treatment of human diseases

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Pharyngitis: chronic, acute, causes, signs, how to treat

A disease of the pharynx, manifested by discomfort, pain and sore throat, is called pharyngitis. This pathology is usually diagnosed in middle-aged and elderly people. Men get sick more often than women. Pharyngitis is an independent nosological unit or symptom of most respiratory pathologies: acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, tonsillitis, adenoiditis in children.

The structure of the pharynx is conventionally divided into 3 sections: the nasopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx.

Pathological processes occurring in the pharynx are also divided depending on location. In acute viral or bacterial inflammation, the mucous membrane of all parts of the pharynx is affected. In chronic pathology, the mucosa of one anatomical region is usually affected.

Etiology

In more rare cases, the causative agents of pharyngitis are respiratory syncytial virus, Coxsackie virus, Epstein–Barr virus, and human immunodeficiency virus.

  1. The cause of nonspecific bacterial pharyngitis is usually streptococcal, mycoplasma, chlamydial, or staphylococcal infections.
  2. Specific forms of pharyngitis are associated with a specific pathogen: gonococcal pharyngitis is caused by gonococcus, leptotrichosis of the pharynx is caused by Leptotrix buccalis.
  3. The causative agent of fungal pharyngitis is a yeast-like fungus of the genus Candida.
  4. Protozoal lesions of the pharynx are rare and indicate dysfunction of the immune system.
  5. Allergic pharyngitis is associated with the penetration of allergens into the body along with inhaled air. Often the cause of the disease is food allergy.

Irritating factors contributing to the development of the disease include:

  • Cold,
  • Smoking,
  • Chemicals - alcohol,
  • Rough, spicy and hot food,
  • Infectious foci in the body - caries, sinusitis, rhinitis,
  • Long conversation
  • Industrial emissions,
  • Predisposition to allergies
  • Discharge flowing down the back wall of the pharynx, with chronic sinusitis.

Chronic pharyngitis develops in the absence of adequate and timely treatment of the acute form of the pathology.

The main factors provoking the disease include the following:

  1. Features of the anatomical structure of the pharynx and digestive tract,
  2. Infection - bacteria, viruses,
  3. Bad habits,
  4. Hypo- and vitamin deficiency,
  5. Allergy,
  6. Impaired breathing through the nose,
  7. Menopause,
  8. Endocrine diseases - diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism,
  9. Condition after tonsillectomy,
  10. Irritants - chemicals, smoke, dust,
  11. Chronic pathology of the digestive organs,
  12. Weakening of the immune system
  13. Cardiovascular and hepatic-renal pathology.

Classification

Pharyngitis is classified into two main forms - acute and chronic.

  • The acute form of the disease develops as a result of the simultaneous impact of the causative factor on the pharyngeal mucosa.
  • Chronic pharyngitis is a pathology that develops as a result of prolonged exposure to irritating factors.

Based on its origin, pharyngitis is classified into types:

According to the nature of the lesion and morphological changes:

  • Simple or catarrhal
  • Hypertrophic or granulosa,
  • Subatrophic or atrophic.

Symptoms

The main clinical sign of acute pharyngitis is a sore throat that gets worse with coughing. Often the onset of pain is preceded by dryness and soreness that persist for several days. The more pronounced the swelling of the mucous membrane, the more intense the pain. Severe pain radiates to the ears and causes patients to refuse to eat. After the formation of a persistent pain syndrome, a painful, dry, “scratching” cough appears in the throat.

Common symptoms of pharyngitis are: deterioration of general condition, weakness, malaise, fatigue, fever. These signs of intoxication persist for three days and gradually disappear.

When examining a patient, an ENT doctor discovers hyperemia of the posterior wall of the pharynx with areas of mucopurulent plaque, as well as swelling of the palate, tonsils and uvula. The submandibular and cervical lymph nodes are painful and enlarged in most patients.

Pharyngoscopy allows you to detect inflamed mucous membrane of the posterior pharyngeal wall with characteristic manifestations - hyperemia, edema, lymphoid granules on the mucous membrane.

Gonococcal pharyngitis is a symptom of urogenital gonorrhea, and in some cases it is an independent pathology. Gonorrheal pharyngitis develops after unprotected orogenital intercourse with an infected person. In most cases, the pathology is asymptomatic and is discovered accidentally during microbiological examination. Some patients develop classic symptoms of pharyngitis. On the hyperemic and edematous mucous membrane of the oropharynx, areas with a yellow-gray coating and individual follicles in the form of red grains appear. Inflammation often spreads from the pharynx to the tonsils, gums, palate, and larynx with the development of corresponding pathologies.

Allergic pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharynx that develops after an allergen enters the mucous membrane. Allergens can include: dust, pollen, pet hair, feathers, medications, food, chemicals used in everyday life and at work. All symptoms of allergic pharyngitis are associated with swelling of the pharyngeal mucosa. The disease manifests itself with local symptoms - dryness, sharp pain when swallowing, increased mucus production. In addition to the symptoms of inflammation of the pharynx, nasal congestion, hoarseness and other signs associated with exposure to the allergen on the upper respiratory tract occur. If it is not eliminated in time, acute pharyngitis can become chronic.

With chronic inflammation of the pharynx, the general condition of patients remains stable: the temperature does not rise, there is no intoxication.

Local signs of catarrhal inflammation:

  1. Dry throat mucosa,
  2. Sore throat,
  3. Painful and dry cough,
  4. A constant desire to cough, associated with the irritating effect of accumulated secretions on the pharyngeal mucosa.

Patients become irritable, their sleep and normal rhythm of life are disrupted.

In adults, some forms of chronic pharyngitis may differ in morphological changes and clinical signs.

  • Granular pharyngitis often complicates the course of inflammatory diseases of the nose, paranasal sinuses, tonsils, and caries. In the absence of adequate and timely therapy, red nodules form on the pharyngeal mucosa, causing paroxysmal coughing. The pathology manifests itself as painful sensations and sore throat, paroxysmal cough with copious sputum.
  • Subatrophic pharyngitis is a consequence of regular exposure to substances that irritate the pharynx. This form of the disease often complicates the course of chronic pathologies of the digestive organs - pancreas, gallbladder, stomach. Treatment consists of eliminating the main etiological factor.
  • Hypertrophic pharyngitis is manifested by thickening and hyperemia of the pharyngeal mucosa, as well as the formation of purulent secretion. This pathology is characterized by the formation of lymphoid accumulations in the pharynx and the release of viscous sputum.

Features of inflammation of the pharynx in childhood

Pharyngitis is a pathology that quite often affects the children's body, occurs in various forms and is often a manifestation of another disease - adenoiditis, scarlet fever, tonsillitis. Children who do not walk much and sleep in a room with dry and warm air are at risk.

To avoid severe complications and the transition of the disease to an atrophic or subatrophic form, sick children are prohibited from going outside in wet weather and soaring their throats for a week. Soda rinses are also not recommended for children with chronic pharyngitis, since soda dries out the mucous membranes, which can provoke the development of severe complications.

It is quite difficult to identify pathology in children. This is due to mild clinical manifestations that do not allow the disease to be detected by eye. After listening to the complaints, the specialist examines the child’s pharynx. The oropharynx in this disease is red, swollen, swollen with the presence of mucous or purulent discharge, the posterior wall is granular with pinpoint hemorrhages or blisters filled with blood.

The child's main complaints:

Local signs persist for a couple of days and gradually disappear. Body temperature is subfebrile or normal. Children usually find it more painful to swallow saliva than to swallow food.

When a secondary infection occurs and complications develop (angina or adenoiditis), general symptoms with severe intoxication begin to increase.

Infants cannot express their complaints, so it is very difficult to recognize pharyngitis in them. Sick children become restless, their temperature rises, sleep and appetite are disturbed. These symptoms are not specific: they can indicate any other disease. If such signs appear, you should immediately contact your pediatrician.

Pharyngitis during pregnancy

Pharyngitis, like any other disease, is dangerous for a pregnant woman’s body and creates many inconveniences associated with the inability to use conventional treatment methods.

The disease manifests itself in pregnant women with classic local symptoms, low-grade fever, lymphadenitis, hoarseness, and hacking cough.

Pharyngitis often complicates pregnancy. In the absence of adequate treatment in the early stages, it can lead to miscarriage, and in the later stages - to premature birth.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of pharyngitis includes an instrumental examination of the patient - pharyngoscopy, immunodiagnosis, microbiological examination of nasopharyngeal discharge, determination of streptococcal antigens in the blood.

When the first suspicion of inflammation of the pharynx appears, it is necessary to examine it. Examination of the pharynx is a simple procedure, often performed at home, and does not require any special skills or abilities. The patient must be brought to the light and the handle of a spoon pressed on the central part of the tongue. The depth of advancement of the spoon should be controlled so as not to provoke vomiting.

Patients have a red throat, the mucous membrane is injected and swollen. If the disease is accompanied by fever, you should consult a doctor, since the symptoms of pharyngitis are in many ways similar to the symptoms of a sore throat. Acute inflammation of the tonsils is a terrible pathology, often leading to severe complications.

Distinctive signs of sore throat in children are:

  • Purulent plugs on the tonsils;
  • Plaque in the form of yellow dots, islands, threads;
  • Severe intoxication - lack of appetite, fever;
  • Severe pain syndrome.

Differential diagnosis of pharyngitis is carried out with laryngitis and tonsillitis.

Inflammation of the pharynx and larynx

Pharyngitis is a disease with localization of the pathological process on the mucous membrane of the pharynx. It is manifested by local inflammatory signs and general symptoms of intoxication - fatigue, tiredness, decreased performance, headache. The pathology complicates the course of rhinitis and ARVI.

An inflammatory disease of the mucous membrane of the larynx and vocal cords of bacterial or viral origin is called laryngitis. Local symptoms of laryngitis: hoarseness, hoarseness, barking cough. Systemic signs include: fever, muscle and joint pain, malaise, weakness. In addition to infectious factors, the causes of laryngitis are: overstrain of the vocal cords, injuries of the larynx and their consequences.

Inflammation of the pharynx and larynx differ in the localization of the pathological process, etiology and pathogenesis. Treatment of laryngitis in most cases is carried out using antibiotics, and in the treatment of pharyngitis they are practically not used. Both pathologies are companions of ARVI and make themselves felt from the very beginning of the disease.

Inflammation of the pharynx and tonsils

Tonsillitis is an acute infectious and inflammatory pathology that affects the mucous membrane of the tonsils. Sore throat is caused by conditionally pathogenic bacteria of the droplet group of infections - streptococci and staphylococci, transmitted by airborne droplets from a sick person. In more rare cases, the disease is caused by viruses, fungi and even chlamydia. Sore throat complicates the course of respiratory infections.

Inflammation of the pharynx and tonsils manifests itself with similar clinical signs.

With pharyngitis - morning sore throat, hyperemia and swelling of the mucous membrane, burning and dryness, coughing, lump in the throat. General signs of intoxication are mild or completely absent.

With a sore throat, the sore throat is more intense, radiating to the ears and worsening after lunch. The tonsils are covered with purulent plaque. Patients develop characteristic symptoms of intoxication - headache, fever, chills, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting.

The therapeutic principles used for lesions of the pharynx and inflammation of the tonsils are significantly different. For acute tonsillitis, antibiotics are prescribed, and for chronic tonsillitis, surgery is prescribed. For pharyngitis, antiseptic solutions for rinsing, aerosols, inhalations, and drinking plenty of fluids are usually used.

Treatment

Treatment of acute pharyngitis

For acute pharyngitis, hospitalization is not carried out and patients are treated at home. The prognosis is favorable: recovery occurs in approximately 7 days.

Treatment of pathology includes:

  • Compliance with a gentle regime, in which it is forbidden to eat hot and spicy foods, drink alcoholic beverages, strong coffee and tea. These products irritate the pharyngeal mucosa, which requires complete rest during treatment.
  • Gargling should be regular throughout the acute period. The ideal option is to rinse every hour, up to 6 times a day. Adults are recommended to gargle with furatsilin or soda solutions.
  • Inhalation with a nebulizer with decoctions of medicinal herbs, alkaline solutions, mineral water, essential oils.
  • Antiseptic agents in the form of sprays - “Ingalipt”, “Chlorophyllipt”, “Kameton”.
  • Lollipops for sore throat with antimicrobial components - “Faringosept”, “Septolete”. Lollipops with herbal ingredients and menthol cleanse the mucous membrane of infection and increase the body's resistance.

Treatment of chronic pharyngitis

It is necessary to begin treatment of chronic pharyngitis by eliminating the causative factors and unfavorable conditions that slow down the healing process.

During the period of exacerbation, the use of local antibacterial drugs is indicated. Systemic antibiotic therapy is carried out only in the presence of severe symptoms of the disease and signs of intoxication.

Pathology with pronounced trophic changes in the mucosa is difficult to treat, and atrophic pharyngitis is not completely curable.

Basic principles of treatment:

  1. Gargling, using medications in the form of sprays, lozenges, lozenges.
  2. The use of mucolytic agents to cleanse the mucous membrane of crusts, plaque and mucus,
  3. Mechanical treatment of the pharyngeal mucosa,
  4. Regular moistening of the mucous membranes by irrigating the pharynx with vegetable oils,
  5. Multivitamins and immunostimulants,
  6. Physiotherapy - ultrasound, nebulizer inhalation, UHF.

You can supplement drug therapy for chronic pharyngitis with traditional medicine.

ethnoscience

Decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs are widely used to treat acute pharyngitis. They are used for gargling a sore throat or for inhalation.

  • Sea water is a universal and very effective remedy used for gargling and rinsing the nose.
  • Baths with the addition of essential oils are recommended for pharyngitis. To do this, add 3-4 drops of eucalyptus or fir oil to hot water.
  • Gargling with salt water. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in half a liter of warm water and gargle with salt water every hour.
  • Chamomile infusion compresses. Soak a napkin in the heated chamomile infusion and wrap it around the neck.
  • Garlic is a natural antiseptic. A mixture of horseradish, honey and garlic is dissolved in water and a sore throat is gargled with the resulting product.
  • Inhalations soften a sore throat and reduce unpleasant symptoms. The duration of one procedure is 5 minutes. In total, treatment will require from 5 to 10 inhalations. For this, infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs are used: string, viburnum, chamomile, yarrow.

Phytotherapy

  • Inhalations. The main components of solutions for inhalation: infusions and decoctions of lavender, mint, viburnum, linden, string.
  • Gargling with a warm decoction of sage, plantain, chamomile tea, and calendula infusion.
  • Teas and decoctions for oral administration. To combat chronic inflammation of the pharynx, it is recommended to regularly take ginger tea, lemongrass and mint tea, chamomile tea, a warm decoction of black currant and sage with the addition of essential oils.

Treatment of pharyngitis in children

Treatment of pathology in children is carried out at home. Basic therapeutic measures for pharyngitis:

  1. Gentle nutrition, eating warm, non-irritating food and sufficient fluids.
  2. Gargling with solutions containing antiseptics or extracts of medicinal herbs - “Chlorophyllipt”, “Rotokan”, “Miramistin”, infusion of eucalyptus or chamomile.
  3. Take a decoction of sage or calendula 2 times a day, chamomile or linden tea at night.
  4. Irrigate the throat with aerosols with antiseptics or antibiotics - “Proposol”, “Yox”, “Stopangin”, “Kameton”.
  5. Children over 3 years old can use lozenges and lozenges that relieve pain and soothe the throat - Faringosept, Strepsils.
  6. Local antibiotics - “Grammidin”, “Septolete”.
  7. Local immunostimulating drugs - “Imudon”, “Lizobakt”.
  8. Antimicrobial agents - interferons “Viferon”, “Grippferon”, as well as “Arbidol”, “Kagocel”, “Orvirem”. They should be used from the first day of illness in conjunction with local therapy.
  9. You can take antibiotics orally only as prescribed by a doctor and after taking a throat smear to test the microflora and determine sensitivity to antibiotics.
  10. Dry heat on the neck.
  11. Alkaline inhalations with mineral water, saline solution, essential oils, decoctions of medicinal herbs.
  12. Foot baths.

The only treatment for pharyngitis in infants is to drink plenty of fluids, since antiseptic sprays can cause reflex bronchospasm, and they still cannot gargle or dissolve lozenges.

If, after carrying out all the described measures at home, the child’s condition worsens and the body temperature rises, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Treatment of pharyngitis in pregnant women

All pregnant women experiencing a sore throat should see a specialist. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable, since we are talking about preserving the health and life of the woman and the unborn child. The specialist, taking into account the characteristics of the disease and the condition of the pregnant woman, will determine the cause of the pathology and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Therapeutic measures for pregnant women consist of following the basic principles:

  • Peace,
  • A gentle diet
  • Regular ventilation of the room and humidification of the air in the room,
  • Gargling with herbal decoctions,
  • Inhalations with essential oils - eucalyptus, pine needles, fir,
  • Use of lozenges, lozenges and aerosols.

Traditional medicine used to treat pharyngitis in pregnant women - propolis, honey, garlic, herbal medicine.

Prevention

Simple rules will help prevent the development of the disease:

  1. Sanitize foci of infection in the mouth,
  2. Avoid crowds of people
  3. Use antiviral ointment or drops before going outside,
  4. Rinse your nose with saline solution after returning home,
  5. Take regular walks in the fresh air,
  6. Don't drink cold drinks
  7. Take multivitamins.

Complications of pharyngitis

A complication of the acute form of the disease is chronic inflammation of the pharynx, which over time leads to the development of a number of serious pathologies.

Streptococcal pharyngitis is complicated by the formation of a peritonsillar abscess, manifested by unilateral symptoms: soft tissue swelling, pain and erythema.

With pharyngitis, the infection spreads in a descending manner, which leads to the development of inflammation of the larynx, trachea and bronchi. In addition to laryngitis, tracheitis and bronchitis, articular rheumatism occurs in patients with prolonged streptococcal inflammation of the pharynx.

The main complication of pharyngitis is a general decrease in quality of life. For people whose professional activities involve the need to speak, this disease becomes a real problem. Long-term inflammation leads to a change in voice timbre.

  • Local complications of pharyngitis include: sore throat, abscesses, otitis, phlegmon, inflammation of the salivary glands, cervical lymphadenitis.
  • Common complications of pharyngitis: scarlet fever, rheumatism, glomerulonephritis, myocarditis, sepsis, false croup in children, shock, respiratory arrest.

Source: http://uhonos.ru/gorlo/bolezni-gorla/faringit/