What antibiotic to take for a sore throat?

What antibiotics should I take to treat a sore throat?

Many people do not want to take antibacterial drugs because they believe that they do much more harm than good. In the case of sore throat, this approach is absolutely wrong.

Table of contents:

Sore throat is a bacterial or viral disease that occurs due to inflammation of the tonsils. Antibiotics for sore throat in adults are almost always prescribed, regardless of the form and severity of the disease.

Since this disease causes complications in the form of impaired kidney function, rheumatism and otitis media, it is very important to consult a specialist in time to prescribe a course of treatment.

What antibiotics should an adult take for sore throat so that treatment is safe and effective? In this material we will try to choose the best antibiotic that will quickly cope with a sore throat.

How to take it correctly?

Taking antibiotics must be carried out according to certain rules, otherwise, if taken uncontrolled, the sensitivity of bacteria to the drug will decrease, and in the future, when it is really necessary, the antibiotic will no longer help.

It is necessary to take the antibiotic before meals (1 hour before), or 2 hours after meals, so that nothing interferes with its absorption. The antimicrobial agent must be taken with water.

Each drug has its own instructions, which indicate how many times a day and how much of the medicine can be taken. In addition, your doctor will describe your dosage regimen in more detail.

Purulent sore throat

Purulent tonsillitis is characterized by redness and swelling of the tonsils, swelling of the neck, severe sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes. The very name of the disease determines the presence of purulent plugs on the tonsils.

To treat purulent sore throat, the doctor always prescribes an antibiotic, and which one depends on the individual characteristics and the causative agent of the disease.

When are antibiotics needed?

There are certain criteria for prescribing antibacterial therapy:

  1. There is a visible purulent plaque on the tonsils.
  2. With the combination of the above symptoms, the patient does not have a cough or runny nose.
  3. There is a significant prolonged increase in temperature (above 38°C).
  4. There is pain in the submandibular region of the neck, enlarged lymph nodes are palpated.

If all these symptoms are present, the doctor will definitely prescribe an antibiotic to the adult, even without waiting for the results of tests and examinations aimed at identifying the causative agents of the disease. It is important here not to confuse a cold and a sore throat, because antibiotics are ineffective for a viral infection.

Remember, if you are uncontrolledly treated with antibacterial agents, you can not only develop allergies and dysbiosis, but also raise a generation of microbes that will remain living in the tonsils, but will be insensitive to this type of antibiotic. Leave the choice to a specialist.

What are they?

Antibiotics for adults are available in both tablets and injections. The following groups of drugs are effective for the treatment of sore throat:

  1. Penicillins (for example, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Amoxiclav, Augmentin, Oxacillin, Ampiox, Flemoxin, etc.);
  2. Macrolides (for example, Azithromycin, Sumamed, Rulid, etc.);
  3. Tetracyclines (for example, Doxycycline, Tetracycline, Macropen, etc.);
  4. Fluoroquinolones (for example, Sparfloxacin, Levofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Pefloxacin, Ofloxacin, etc.);
  5. Cephalosporins (for example, Cifran, Cephalexin, Ceftriaxone, etc.).

The drugs of choice for purulent sore throat are antibiotics from the penicillin group.

The best antibiotic for sore throat

In most cases, tonsillitis is caused by streptococci and staphylococci. Therefore, when treating a sore throat with antibiotics, adults are most often prescribed penicillin drugs, which are most effective against the above microorganisms.

The best antibacterial drugs from this group are:

  1. Amoxicillin is the most commonly prescribed drug. Price 227.00 rub.
  2. Panclave - 325.00 rub.
  3. Flemoxin Solutab - 227.00 rub.
  4. Rapiclav - 345.00 rub.
  5. Augmentin — 275.00 rub.
  6. Amoxiclav - 227.00 rub.

Unfortunately, in some cases, adults or children are allergic to penicillins. Such people are prescribed antibiotics from other pharmacological groups: fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, cephalosporins, macrolides.

Do not forget that self-treatment of a sore throat with antibiotics is contraindicated, since untreated sore throat can cause not only a longer and more expensive continuation of treatment, but also lead to serious health problems, disorders of the kidneys and heart, and in weakened people and people with immunodeficiency even cause death.

Why is antibacterial treatment needed?

Timely administration of antibiotics for sore throat allows:

  • prevent acute rheumatic fever;
  • prevent purulent-inflammatory complications;
  • reduce the severity of clinical manifestations of angina;
  • prevent bacterial infection from spreading to family members, colleagues, neighbors, and so on;
  • reduce the likelihood of complications, including cardiac ones.

When the causative agent of a sore throat is already resistant to one or another drug, then no noticeable improvement is observed within 72 hours (the temperature does not subside, plaque persists, the general condition does not improve), in this case the antibiotic must be replaced with another.

Besides antibiotics

To make the disease go away faster, you should follow some rules at home.

  1. Bed rest. The patient needs complete rest. This will help reduce irritation and headaches.
  2. Antipyretic. It is necessary to take medications that lower the temperature only when it rises above 38 degrees.
  3. Gargling. This will help relieve irritation and pain. To prepare a decoction, you can take chamomile, sage, and calendula. Medicinal solutions of Furacilin and Chlorhexidine also have a good effect.
  4. Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking plenty of fluids will help remove toxins from the body that contribute to the development of symptoms of the disease.

Antibiotics for sore throats in adults quickly alleviate the symptoms of this unpleasant disease, so do not hesitate, consult a doctor.

Amoxicillin

The antibiotic is effective against a large number of bacteria that cause sore throat. Doctors prescribe amoxicillin as a first-line drug for sore throat because it is quite effective and has few side effects.

Adverse reactions that may occur when taking amixicillin include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset. The most severe reactions to the drug are leukopenia, pseudomembranous colitis, agranulocytosis, and anaphylactic shock. Price 227 rubles (375 mg tablets, 15 pcs.).

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7 comments

PLEASE TELL HOW TO TREAT SOLONGY

No matter how much they say that an antibiotic must be selected based on culture, no one does it... It’s also good if universal remedies like the same monural are prescribed. Otherwise, simple antibiotics are often prescribed, and there is no guarantee that they will hit the mark.

True, but it all depends on the doctor, the clinic and the possibilities for culture, especially since it takes 3-5 days, but it will very accurately determine which antibiotic is suitable,

I will add that in Moscow, at the Medsi clinic, they do sowing - this is not only my example and other people. Be healthy!

What does sore throat and monural have to do with it? Monural is generally a uroseptic and is prescribed in case of cystitis..

Sore throat is a frequent visitor of mine, as long as I can remember, I have been suffering from this infection all my life. Of course, I also took quite a few medications, but now many have simply stopped helping me. Previously, I might have managed without antibiotics, but now I can’t. Lately I have been buying eco-antibiotic ecoclave on doctor’s prescription. A good drug, it contains lactulose and thanks to it the intestines are completely protected.

I try to take antibiotics last. Lizobakt helps a lot with a sore throat. It also preserves beneficial microflora during treatment. I recommend them to treat a sore throat.

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What antibiotics do you take for sore throat: types and characteristics of drugs

The cause of sore throat is most often microorganisms, which makes the disease contagious and dangerous. Taking antibiotics is an important part of treatment.

Types of antibiotics taken for sore throat

Penicillin antibiotics, which include Amoxicillin, Amoxiclav and others, are recognized as the most effective for angina.

They have been used for quite a long time, so they have become somewhat less effective, which forces scientists to create new drugs based on penicillin.

Let's look at what antibiotics people take for sore throat:

  • Amoxicillin actively fights many microorganisms that cause sore throat. It is prescribed first because it acts quickly and has virtually no side effects. In rare cases, reactions such as diarrhea and vomiting occur. More severe reactions include anaphylactic shock and leukopenia.
  • Amoxiclav contains clavulanic acid, which enhances the effect of the antibiotic. It belongs to the penicillin group and is prescribed in the absence of allergies. This drug works quickly to relieve symptoms.
  • Suprax is taken exclusively orally in the form of tablets or suspensions. The dosage is calculated taking into account the patient’s weight, age, location of inflammation and severity of the disease. Adults are usually prescribed 400 mg per day. It can also be given to children older than 6 months. The course lasts 10 days.
  • Doxycycline inhibits the ability of microbes to reproduce. It is often prescribed if the causative agent of a sore throat cannot be identified, since this drug acts on a large number of microorganisms. It is well absorbed in the stomach regardless of food intake and is excreted in the urine.

There are also so-called eco-antibiotics that do not disrupt the intestinal microflora. These include Ecobol, Ecositrin, Ecoclave and others. These are new generation drugs that are easier to tolerate by the body and act sparingly on the internal organs and the human immune system.

What antibiotics to take for different types of sore throat

As you know, angina can have a different nature and occur in different ways. The type of sore throat is determined by the doctor during examination and after conducting various tests.

Antibiotics act differently for different types of disease, so self-medication should not be done.

After establishing an accurate diagnosis, the doctor prescribes the safest and most effective treatment.

Types of sore throat and treatment:

  1. Purulent sore throat. With this disease, there is a sharp, increasing pain in the throat, fever, and painful swallowing. Purulent formations are visible on the tonsils. In such cases, penicillin antibiotics are taken or, if allergies are present, Erythromycin, Tetracycline or Cephalexin are prescribed.
  2. Follicular tonsillitis. This disease affects the almond follicles, after which they increase in size and swell. Pustules form, which then burst, forming a white coating. The cause of purulent sore throat is an infection (streptococcal or pneumococcal). Most often, the doctor prescribes Erythromycin, Flemoxin, Summamed, Ampicillin for a course of up to 10 days without a break. Various sprays and tablets are also prescribed to relieve sore throat and drugs to support bowel function (for example, Linex).
  3. Lacunar tonsillitis. This widespread disease affects the upper respiratory tract. You can't do without antibiotics. Treatment should be started immediately. Amoxicillin, Flemoxin are often prescribed; for adults, Tsiprolet can be used. For intestinal problems, it is permissible to take ecoantibiotics.
  4. Herpetic sore throat. This disease is highly contagious and severe. It is accompanied by various pains – in the throat, joints, and in the head area. Bubbles form on the tonsils, which then burst. Antibiotics are usually ineffective in this case.
  5. Catarrhal sore throat. For catarrhal tonsillitis, antiviral drugs, rather than antibiotics, are usually prescribed. In some cases, it is possible to take Erythromycin, Bactrim Streptocide.

Antibiotics for sore throat in pregnant and lactating women

Antibiotics for sore throat in pregnant and lactating women

During pregnancy, sore throat is especially dangerous; the disease should not be started under any circumstances. In order not to harm the mother and baby, the doctor prescribes antibiotic treatment with minimal exposure to the fetus.

For the first three months, it is not advisable to take any medications at all, so as not to disrupt the formation of the child’s internal organs. The doctor prescribes medications, taking into account the benefits and risks for the mother and child.

Antibiotics of the penicillin group are usually prescribed. These drugs have the least impact on the child's development.

Antibiotics are used both in tablets and injections. It is important to follow the correct dosage and all doctor’s recommendations.

Antibiotics of the cephalosporin group, such as Ceftriaxone, Cefazolin, are prescribed less frequently, as they have the ability to penetrate the placenta. However, they are used if you are allergic to penicillin.

Zitrolil and Summed are prescribed extremely rarely and in cases of need, if other antibiotics have failed.

Sometimes expectant mothers deliberately refuse antibiotics for fear of harming the child, which is unacceptable. Sometimes a sore throat can be more dangerous than drugs; it can cause serious complications, so you should not neglect your doctor’s advice.

Nursing mothers do not have to interrupt lactation if signs of a sore throat appear, but they must wear a mask to avoid infecting the baby. If your sore throat is caused by a virus, you may not need to take antibiotics. However, there are times when you cannot do without them. The doctor prescribes antibiotics that have minimal effect on the child. These include penicillins and cephalosporins, depending on the state of health and the body’s susceptibility to treatment.

In addition, a nursing woman can use various traditional medicines, for example, gargling with chamomile decoction, soda solution or Lugol's. Before doing this, it is also necessary to consult a doctor, since even folk remedies can pass into mother’s milk and harm the baby.

What antibiotics can children take?

First of all, the pediatrician must determine the cause of the sore throat - a virus or bacteria. A visual examination usually does not provide an accurate diagnosis, so the doctor may prescribe bacterial culture.

Treatment with antibiotics carries a certain danger for the child, since they not only destroy bacteria, but also affect the child’s immunity, which has not yet been fully formed. Therefore, you should not always expect a positive effect.

However, sometimes antibiotics are simply necessary:

  • Viral sore throat, as a rule, is not treated with antibiotics; they simply provide the child with complete rest, give an antipyretic if necessary, and plenty of hot drinks. If the cause of a sore throat is streptococcus, you need to take a course of antibiotics (necessarily completely). Even if the symptoms have already disappeared, you need to continue taking antibiotics to completely destroy the painful microflora.
  • Summed can be given to children. The dosage is determined at the rate of 10 ml per 1 kg of weight. After 3 days the dose can be doubled. Summamed should be taken one hour before meals or 2 hours after. Children under 16 years of age are usually prescribed a course of antibiotics not by injection, but in the form of a suspension or tablets.
  • Amoxiclav can be taken by children from 3 months. This is a relatively safe drug with no side effects. It copes with symptoms quite quickly, which is especially important when treating a child. The dose depends on the age and weight of the patient; it is prescribed by the attending physician.
  • It is believed that Flemoxin can be taken at almost any age and even during pregnancy. It is quickly eliminated from the child's body. It is only important to follow the dosage and conditions of administration regarding food.
  • Aumentin is quite effective and is often prescribed to children as a treatment. It belongs to the penicillin group and contains clavulanic acid, which enhances its effect. The doctor determines the dosage depending on the weight and age of the patient.
  • Cephalexin can be taken in childhood at the rate of 1 mg per 1 kg of weight. If the course of the disease is complicated, the dose is doubled.

Complementary to antibiotics in the treatment of sore throat

Complementary to antibiotics in the treatment of sore throat

Antibiotics are the main means of combating sore throat. However, there are ways to alleviate the disease. Antibiotics are not always combined with other drugs, so you should consult your doctor before starting treatment.

At a high temperature (above 38.5), you can drink an antipyretic (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Panadol, Efferalgan Upsa and others). However, if the temperature is tolerable, it is better not to do this. Fever is a natural protective reaction of the body to viruses and bacteria. At the same time, antibodies are produced. When treated with antibiotics, the temperature decreases for 2-3 days.

You can use not only general, but also local antibiotics. These can be sprays, lozenges, rinses.

However, this is only an addition to general treatment. If you use only local antibiotics, due to the high concentration they become ineffective.

Medicines that relieve sore throat, in the form of tablets, sprays, and rinsing solutions, will help alleviate the patient’s condition. It is advisable to gargle every 2 hours. To do this, you can use clean water with salt and soda, decoctions of chamomile, yarrow, infusion of eucalyptus, and calendula. You can use pharmaceutical antiseptics such as Chlorhexidine. Popular tablets for sore throat include Strepsils, Faringosept, Theraflu, and Grammidin. The amount of such drugs taken is also limited, and it is better not to exceed the dosage.

More information about antibiotic treatment can be found in the video.

It is very important to isolate the patient from everyone around him, especially if there are children in the house. It is better if everyone wears masks, and the sick person is given a separate room. Dishes, a towel, a toothbrush - everything should be separate and should also be stored separately from the things of healthy people.

Bed rest is no less important. The patient should be provided with plenty of fluids, vitamins, and gentle nutrition.

Antibiotics negatively affect the intestinal microflora, so the diet should not be plentiful, and you should also exclude everything spicy and fatty.

Complications that a sore throat can lead to

The danger of sore throat lies in the fact that the streptococcus that causes it contains antigens similar to antigens of various organs of the human body.

Therefore, an antibiotic, like human immunity, has a destructive effect not only on the disease itself, but also partially on the entire body. This can lead to a number of negative consequences.

All complications can be divided into general and local. The first ones are much more dangerous.

  • Heart diseases. Most often, this is rheumatic damage to the heart muscle, which is quite dangerous, and in rare cases even leads to disability. Most often, this complication occurs in pediatric patients aged 5-15 years. Sometimes this leads to inflammation of the heart muscle, that is, myocarditis. Symptoms include pain in the heart, shortness of breath, and arrhythmia. There is also a risk of blood clots.
  • Kidney complications. The kidneys also often suffer from sore throat. Complications manifest themselves in the form of pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis. Pyelonephritis is characterized by frequent urge to urinate, characteristic lumbar pain, and high fever. Glomerulonephritis is characterized by swelling, high blood pressure, and the appearance of blood in the urine.
  • One of the local complications is otitis media, which is an inflammation of the middle ear and eardrum. In addition to painful sensations in the ear area, “shooting”, in some cases this leads to hearing impairment.
  • Abscess and phlegmon of the peritoneal tissue. Both are purulent processes, but the abscess has clear boundaries, and phlegmon does not have them. In both cases, the temperature rises, a sore throat appears, lymph nodes become enlarged, and difficulty swallowing.
  • Laryngeal edema is also a local complication after tonsillitis. At first, there is a desire to cough, which does not bring relief, the voice changes, and then it becomes difficult to breathe, causing the skin to acquire a bluish tint. This is a very dangerous complication that can be fatal.

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Comments (5)

Gretta

02/08/2016 at 14:11 | #

I would also like to find out if I have a sore throat or something else: my throat hurts badly, it hurts to swallow, so far that’s all

Martha

02/09/2016 at 02:13 | #

Gretta, you need to start treatment urgently to avoid complications later. Try spraying Bioparox on your throat. It is both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial... It relieves symptoms very well and quickly: both pain and swelling disappear in a few days. I treat all my colds with it and it has never let me down.

Veronica

04/26/2016 at 07:30 | #

I have a weak spot in my throat, if I get a little cold or drink a cold drink - hello, sore throat ((Local remedies don’t work for me, I have to take an antibiotic, and to avoid complications from taking it I always drink Liquid Coal, otherwise I’ll also get diarrhea or allergies, but I’m already feeling bad. It’s a very well-thought-out composition and contains pectin to remove the effects of taking medications from the body and inulin so as not to disrupt the gastrointestinal tract.

05/20/2016 at 14:31 | #

I also cannot cure a sore throat without antibiotics. True, the intestines always suffer from this. What can I do(

Olga

05/20/2016 at 15:18 | #

Lisa, well, this matter is completely solvable. We already wrote above, take liquid charcoal and everything will be fine with your intestines. It will remove all the nastiness that is left in the body from antibiotics and improve the functioning of your intestines. So I highly recommend it, because I treat my intestines in the same way.

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Antibiotics for sore throat

Sore throat (acute tonsillitis) is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic microflora. Antibiotics are prescribed to adults for the treatment of bacterial forms of the disease, for chlamydial, mycoplasma sore throat, as well as for activation of the bacterial microflora of the tonsil mucosa during a viral infection.

Sore throat in adults

Adults suffer from sore throat before they reach adulthood. This is due to age-related involution of lymphoid tissue. In older people, inflammation of the tonsils is rare and occurs with mild symptoms.

For bacterial tonsillitis, agents are used that are active against pathogens, among which beta-hemolytic streptococcus A, staphylococcus are most often found, and less commonly pneumococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, fungi, spirochetes, mycoplasma, and chlamydia.

Beta-hemolytic streptococcus is the most pathogenic. These bacteria secrete endotoxins, which activate a specific immune response and contain:

  • antigens that bind to the myocardium and cause heart damage;
  • immune complexes that destroy the kidneys.
The streptococcal form of acute tonsillitis can be complicated by glomerulonephritis and rheumatic fever. Because of the possibility of complications, bacterial sore throat is treated with antibiotics, and the doctor must decide which drug is best for an adult to take based on the results of laboratory tests.

Read in detail about the signs and symptoms of a sore throat in our article Signs of a sore throat.

When are antibiotics prescribed?

Antibacterial agents are the basis of conservative treatment of sore throat with drugs. From the first day of illness, antibiotics are prescribed to adults for streptococcal sore throat.

This contagious disease in adults accounts for up to 15% of all types of tonsil infections. The streptococcal form of acute tonsillitis is diagnosed using a smear for bacterial microflora taken from the back of the throat.

The streptococcal form is more typical for children over 3 years of age and adolescents (up to 30% of the total number of cases). The disease is severe and, in the absence of adequate treatment, causes severe complications in the form of rheumatism and glomerulonephritis.

In adults, the likelihood of complications is less, the streptococcal form is less common than in children, but this bacterial disease must be treated with the use of antibacterial drugs.

The streptococcal form of acute tonsillitis can be assumed in the absence of a cough or runny nose, but the appearance of:

  • acute pain when swallowing;
  • temperatures above 38 degrees.

What antibiotics to take for a sore throat, what is usually prescribed for an adult to drink, is it possible to treat a sore throat without stopping work? These questions sometimes do not even arise in adults, who often do not attach importance to a sore throat and limit treatment to soda gargles.

Meanwhile, acute tonsillitis is a contagious disease. A patient who does not take treatment becomes a source of infection in the family and at work.

Penicillins

When treating streptococcal tonsillitis in adults, penicillins are used - phenoxymethylpenicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin. In the hospital, the antibiotic is prescribed in injections, at home, mainly orally.

The drug of choice for the streptococcal form of acute tonsillitis is phenoxymectylpenicillin. Adults take these antibiotics in tablets every 6 hours, 0.5 g for 10 days.

The choice of phenoxymethylpenicillin for streptococcal sore throat is a highly effective antibiotic against streptococci, but a narrow spectrum of action. Due to the narrow spectrum of action, the drug has less effect on the normal intestinal microflora.

The disadvantages of this natural penicillin include the high likelihood of allergies to the drug. In this case, amoxicillin is prescribed.

The choice of this antibiotic is explained by the fact that, having activity against streptococci, amoxicillin is slowly eliminated from the body; it is enough to take this drug 2-3 times a day.

Flemoxin Solutab is often prescribed in tablet form. The drug is approved for children and pregnant women; it is enough to take it 2 times a day.

The list of the best penicillin antibiotics for adults with sore throat includes:

Severe inflammation with high fever is treated with protected penicillins, amoxicillin + clavulanic acid. Clavulanic acid protects amoxicillin from destruction in the stomach by enzymes, which enhances the therapeutic effect of the drug.

Penicillins quite often cause allergies. Approximately 6% of patients react to penicillins, and half of them have a cross-reaction to cephalosporins.

Macrolides

If you are allergic to penicillins, acute tonsillitis is treated with drugs from the macrolide group - azithromycin, spiramycin, roxithromycin, midecamycin, josamycin.

Macrolides, in addition to activity against streptococci, act on staphylococci, including St. aureus, gram-negative microflora, anaerobes, spirochetes, intracellular parasites - chlamydia, mycoplasmas.

This type of antibiotic for angina is prescribed in tablets, of which Azithromycin, as well as its analogues Azitrox, Sumamed, Zitrolide, are effective macrolides for adults.

These long-acting agents are exclusively suitable for the treatment of adults who have to endure the disease on their feet. The course of treatment is 3 days, it is enough to take 1 tablet every day.

For staphylococcal sore throat, the antibiotics of choice are drugs from the macrolide group; erythromycin is predominantly prescribed for treatment.

Cephalosporins

Cephalosporin drugs are prescribed for severe inflammation of the tonsils caused by gram-positive coccal infections, and for purulent forms of this disease - follicular, lacunar tonsillitis.

Medicines are prescribed in injections and tablets. Cephalosporins remain in the blood for a long time in therapeutic concentrations, which allows the drug to be administered or taken twice a day.

New generation cephalosporin antibiotics - Cefpirom, Cefepime - are highly effective and have a wide spectrum of action, but they are prescribed for sore throats with caution due to the lack of knowledge of the consequences of taking them and side effects in adults.

For purulent sore throat with high fever, strong antibiotics Cefuroxime, Cephalexin, Ceftriaxone, Cifran are used to treat adults.

Carbapenems

Carbapenem antibiotics have broad activity and are used for severe diseases. Carbapenems are active against gram-positive, gram-negative microflora, spore-forming anaerobes.

Drugs of this group are prescribed by injection; carbapanems belong to the reserve drug group. They are used when treatment with antibiotics from other groups fails and there is a high risk of sepsis. The drugs in this group are Meropenem and Imipenem.

Treatment for sore throat

Along with treatment with antibacterial agents, for acute tonsillitis the following is taken:

  • antihistamines – loratadine, clemastine;
  • B vitamins, ascorbic acid.

Antibiotics are not used in the treatment of fungal forms of the disease, and for sore throat caused by a viral infection, antibacterial drugs are prescribed only according to laboratory test indications, the patient’s condition, and the dynamics of the disease.

The indication for antibiotic treatment for viral sore throat in adults is the threat or addition of a bacterial infection, activation of the own microflora of the throat mucosa.

As a rule, a virus that has penetrated into the mucous membrane of the oropharynx activates the normal microflora of the tonsils and provokes increased proliferation of pathogenic microflora.

Staphylococci, gram-negative microorganisms are the culprits of primary myocarditis, cholecystocholangitis, rheumatism, and polyarthritis. In such situations, self-medication threatens the transition of the acute form of the disease to chronic tonsillitis, as well as complications from the heart and joints.

In addition to this material, read the article Treatment of sore throat by gargling.

I was tormented by pharyngitis, they sow mushrooms, they advise gargling with myrrhistine or acid, but my throat hurts and the constant discomfort seems to be tearing my throat

Lump behind the ear in an adult

Runny nose in a nursing mother, treatment with drops and folk remedies

Signs and treatment of sinusitis in adults

Inexpensive drops for runny nose

Treatment of laryngitis in adults at home

How and with what to treat a sore throat in a 2-year-old child

By self-medicating, you can waste time and harm your health!

Copying materials is permitted only with an active link to the site. Everything is in the original texts.

Source: http://loramed.ru/bolezni/gorlo/angina/antibiotiki-a.html

Antibiotics for sore throat: necessity and principles of selection

Sore throat or tonsillitis is an inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils, which can spread to the lymphoid and lingual tissue. The first recorded cases of tonsillitis in human history occurred in the first century AD.

Before you continue reading: If you are looking for an effective method of getting rid of a runny nose, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis or colds, then be sure to look at this section of the site after reading this article. This information has helped so many people, we hope it will help you too! So, now back to the article.

In the 19th century, tonsillitis was recognized as a dangerous disease and began to be carefully studied. The impetus for this was the premature death of George Washington as a result of complications of purulent tonsillitis.

In the 21st century, no one dies from a sore throat: the discovery of antibiotics put an end to the series of deaths. Nevertheless, tonsillitis remains a serious problem that requires timely diagnosis and responsible therapy. And the basis for the treatment of bacterial sore throat are antibacterial drugs.

What kind of antibiotics are used for angina and what is the choice of medication based on? How long does therapy last? And in general, is sore throat dangerous? Let's figure it out together, a detailed review.

Viral and bacterial tonsillitis: identify!

In the vast majority of cases, sore throats are caused by viruses. Among them are herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegaloviruses, adenoviruses and other pathogens. There are studies showing that in 19% of cases of exudative tonsillitis in children, the cause of the disease lies in the Epstein-Barr virus.

Tonsillitis most often affects children over the age of two. In young children, the cause of the disease is usually various respiratory viruses.

Viral tonsillitis is treated exclusively symptomatically. Antibiotics have no effect against viruses and, therefore, are not prescribed. Therefore, it is so important to correctly identify the pathogen.

Bacterial sore throat: can it be cured without antibiotics?

Many patients faced with a sore throat wonder: is it possible to get by with a little blood and be cured without antibiotics? The answer depends on the origin of the tonsillitis. A viral sore throat actually goes away on its own.

Bacterial sore throat is an infectious disease. Our immune system can cope with viruses and opportunistic microbes, which include some strains of staphylococci, Candida fungi, enterobacteria and others.

If the body encounters pathogenic bacteria that quickly multiply and release a lot of toxins, even the strongest immunity is simply unable to withstand the onslaught. In such cases, there is only one way out - antibacterial treatment.

Bacteria: find and neutralize

The choice of antibacterial agent for tonsillitis depends on the type of bacteria that provoked the disease. As a rule, the range of pathogenic microorganisms that are associated with sore throat is quite limited.

In 15–30% of cases, the cause of sore throat lies in bacterial infection. Group A streptococci, in particular the beta-hemolytic streptococcus Streptococcus pyogenes, play an important role in inflammatory diseases of the tonsils. This pathogen invades the adhesin receptors, which are located in the epithelium of the tonsils.

Sore throat in older children is usually associated with streptococcus and, most often, group A. Peritonsillar abscess is a dangerous complication of tonsillitis, which is accompanied by acute inflammation of the tissues surrounding the tonsils, and is caused by the fusobacterium Fusobacterium necrophorum.

However, sore throat is famous not only for streptococci and fusobacteria. Acute tonsillitis and pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx) can also cause:

  • mycoplasma Mycoplasma pneumoniae;
  • Corynebacterium diphtheriae (the causative agent of diphtheria);
  • chlamydia Chlamydia pneumoniae - quite rare;
  • Neisseria gonorrhea is the causative agent of gonorrhea, which is usually responsible for the development of pharyngitis in sexually active individuals.

In the case of recurrent pharyngitis, a polymicrobial flora most often occurs, including aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Mixed infections usually include streptococci, staphylococci, including the infamous Staphylococcus aureus, as well as Haemophilus influenzae and other bacteria.

Antibiotics against sore throat: when to start?

We have already mentioned that antibiotics are prescribed only against sore throats of bacterial origin. The problem is that too often bacterial and viral tonsillitis are clinically indistinguishable. Even the most competent doctor is sometimes unable to differentiate between a virus and a bacteria, especially in the initial stages of a sore throat.

If your tonsillitis is 1-2 days old, and the doctor has already prescribed antibiotics, there may be grounds to talk about the unreasonable prescription of drugs. According to standard treatment protocols, the bacterial origin of sore throat is indicated by:

- the presence of exudate - bloody fluid that oozes from the small vessels of the tonsils;

Bacterial sore throat is characterized by a sharp rise in temperature up to 39–40 degrees. In addition, fever with bacterial tonsillitis is very difficult to correct. If you can't bring down your fever with regular antipyretic medications, it may be due to a bacterial infection in your tonsils;

- leukocytosis - an increase in the level of leukocytes in the blood.

The appearance of such symptoms indicates that the sore throat is bacterial in nature, and, therefore, it is time to take antibiotics.

Why is antibacterial treatment needed?

We all know that Paracetamol reduces fever, and cough drops thin mucus. We clearly see the effect of these drugs. But what does treatment with antibacterial drugs give us?

Timely administration of antibiotics for sore throat allows:

  • prevent acute rheumatic fever. You can completely avoid persistent hyperthermia as a result of an increase in body temperature to 40 degrees if you start taking antibiotics on time;
  • prevent purulent-inflammatory complications. A timely prescribed effective antibacterial drug is an opportunity to avoid the development of a common complication of purulent tonsillitis - paratonsillar abscess - and, as a consequence, surgical intervention;
  • reduce the severity of clinical manifestations of angina. Correct treatment of tonsillitis gives every chance to get rid of or prevent acute pain in the throat, which is practically impossible to correct;
  • prevent bacterial infection from spreading to family members, colleagues, neighbors, and so on;
  • reduce the likelihood of complications, including cardiac ones.

What antibiotics are indicated for streptococcal sore throat?

In the case of tonsillitis associated with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus Streptococcus pyogenes, antibiotics are essential. What antibacterial agents are preferable for the most common streptococcal sore throat?

Oral semisynthetic penicillins are used as the drugs of choice in such cases. For patients who cannot take tablets, injectable benzylpenicillin is indicated.

In addition, when infected with group A streptococcus, the following are effective:

Let's look at each group of drugs in more detail.

Semi-synthetic penicillins

An effective antibacterial drug, which is the first-line treatment for bacterial sore throat caused by beta-hemolytic streptococcus, is Amoxicillin (Flemoxin).

Amoxicillin has a wide spectrum of action, which covers not only gram-positive, but also gram-negative flora. High bioavailability, low toxicity and good tolerability distinguish Amoxicillin from other antibacterial drugs.

For bacterial sore throat, Amoxicillin is prescribed in a dose of 500–1000 mg three times a day. The optimal course of treatment is ten days.

It should be remembered that penicillins can be destroyed by strains of bacteria that produce beta lactamase. Infection with antibiotic-resistant strains is likely with recurrent tonsillitis. If your child gets a sore throat a second time or more during the fall-winter season, Amoxicillin must be replaced with another antibiotic. Protected penicillins or lincosamides (Clindamycin) are used as alternatives.

Protected penicillin - treatment for sure!

Protected penicillins are a complex of Amoxicillin and a substance that prevents the destruction of the beta-lactam ring. The most commonly used compound is clavulanic acid or its salts. Note that these substances do not have a systemic effect and do not have a bactericidal effect. The only function of clavulanates is to protect the antibiotic from beta-lactamases, in particular from penicillinase.

Among the most famous protected penicillins, Augmentin, Amoxiclav and the dispersible form - Flemoclav - take pride of place.

Amoxicillin complexes with clavulanic acid (for example, Amoxiclav) are prescribed as antibacterial treatment for follicular and purulent tonsillitis at a dose of 500–1000 mg two to three times a day. The course of treatment lasts from seven to ten days.

There is evidence that long-term administration of protected penicillins for severe recurrent tonsillitis caused by beta-hemolytic streptococcus is an alternative to tonsillectomy. Sometimes a 3-6 week course of Augmentin can save tonsils that are almost doomed to be removed.

Caution: infectious mononucleosis!

If children have all the symptoms of a sore throat, the doctor should be especially careful when prescribing penicillin antibiotics. The fact is that the clinical manifestations of bacterial tonsillitis in the initial stages are very difficult to differentiate from the symptoms of a viral disease called infectious mononucleosis. And children are more likely to become infected with this infection.

The pathology that is associated with the Epstein-Barr virus has almost all the signs of bacterial tonsillitis. Severe sore throat, fever, the appearance of exudate in the tonsils and even enlarged lymph nodes - all these symptoms of infectious mononucleosis are sometimes difficult to distinguish from bacterial tonsillitis. As a result of this confusion, antibacterial agents may be erroneously prescribed.

That's when the real problems begin. The fact that antibiotics are not effective against bacterial infections is not so bad. In the end, the Epstein-Barr virus is generally eliminated on its own, that is, over a certain period of time, the disease will go away on its own.

Trouble awaits those patients with infectious mononucleosis who, through a doctor’s mistake or on their own initiative, begin to take penicillin antibiotics. Such treatment in almost 100% of cases is accompanied by the appearance of a thick reddish rash that covers the entire body. If you develop severe rashes while taking an antibiotic (for example, Augmentin) for a sore throat, there is a high probability that the cause of the infection is the Epstein-Barr virus.

The actions of the injured patient in this case should be limited to immediately informing the doctor, who will most likely cancel the antibacterial drug.

Cephalosporins: pros and cons

As an alternative to semisynthetic penicillins, cephalosporin antibiotics are used. Their prescription is justified if the patient, for example, is allergic to penicillins.

For the treatment of bacterial tonsillitis, second- and, less commonly, third-generation cephalosporins are used. These drugs include:

Cefuroxime is a second-generation drug that is active mainly against gram-positive microorganisms. Cefpodoxime and cefixime are more effective against infection with gram-negative flora, and therefore are used very rarely for bacterial tonsillitis.

One of the main disadvantages of oral cephalosporins is their low bioavailability. Most of these drugs are only 40–60% absorbed in the intestine. Therefore, many doctors openly dislike cephalosporins for oral administration.

Cefuroxime is active against many gram-positive strains, including those that produce beta-lactamase. For angina in adult patients caused by beta-hemolytic streptococcus, the antibiotic cefuroxime is prescribed at a dose of 250 mg twice a day for ten days.

The most well-known cefuroxime drugs include Zinnat produced by the Glaxo corporation, as well as Axef (Medokemi company, Cyprus).

Pediatric forms of cefuroxime are available in the form of a dry powder, which is dissolved before use. The dosage of cefuroxime for children is calculated, as in the case of other antibiotics, based on the child’s weight.

Antibiotics for sore throat in injections: is there any point?

I would like to pay special attention to injectable dosage forms of cephalosporin antibiotics. Russian doctors are particularly sensitive to parenteral antibacterial agents. Often these medications are prescribed as first-line treatments. Despite the fact that official treatment protocols primarily recommend tablet antibiotics, our doctors, in an effort to cover the entire spectrum, prescribe injections.

Undoubtedly, ceftriaxone is one of the most popular domestic parenteral antibiotics.

A third-generation cephalosporin drug that is active against many gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms, ceftriaxone, of course, will cope with sore throat. Moreover, it is also effective against infection with strains that produce beta-lactamase. However, are antibiotic injections really necessary for a sore throat?

The vast majority of foreign experts believe that there is no particular need for the use of injectable antibiotics for tonsillitis. Both tableted protected penicillins and lincosamides have high bioavailability and a wide spectrum. The high antibacterial effectiveness and safety of Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid complexes in the treatment of follicular and purulent tonsillitis, as well as peritonsillar abscess, have been clinically proven.

Therefore, before buying your favorite set of syringes and clinking glass bottles, consult with a great specialist. And believe that modern pharmaceuticals are able to offer a worthy alternative to effective but traumatic injectable antibiotics.

Lincosamides and bacterial tonsillitis: irreconcilable enemies

Lincosamides do not have the disadvantages of unprotected penicillins and cephalosporins. Therefore, in many cases these antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial sore throat.

Many patients and even some doctors have almost never encountered drugs from the lincosamide group. But the old, time-tested Lincomycin, which is used today mainly in dental practice, belongs to them.

Among the most effective lincosamides indicated for the treatment of bacterial pharyngitis, Clindamycin takes pride of place.

Clindamycin is recommended for use for recurrent sore throats along with protected penicillins. The tablet form of the antibiotic penetrates tissues just as well as the injected form, and this fact is one of the important advantages of the drug. In addition, Clindamycin is equally effective against rapidly and slowly dividing microorganisms. This property of the antibiotic explains its high effectiveness against sore throats caused by infection with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus.

The only limitation to the use of Clindamycin is due to the rather narrow spectrum of action of the drug. Therefore, before prescribing it, it is better to carry out a differential diagnosis of the pathogen.

Clindamycin is prescribed in the form of oral tablets or capsules, and also as an injection solution. Note that in case of mild or moderate angina, oral Clindamycin is used. And only in cases of severe recurrent tonsillitis, including those caused by hospital strains of streptococcus, is an injectable antibiotic prescribed.

Clindamycin tablets or capsules are dosed based on the patient's medical history. The antibiotic dosage ranges from 150 to 400 mg every six hours, that is, four times a day. This intensive frequency of use is caused by the rather short half-life of Clindamycin. However, some inconvenience in dosing is more than compensated by the high effectiveness of the antibiotic even in severe sore throat caused by highly resistant strains of beta-hemolytic streptococcus.

In Russian pharmacies, Clindamycin can be purchased under the following trade names:

— Dalacin is an original drug that is of high quality and the same price. Manufacturer: American concern Pfizer;

— Clindacin produced in Jordan.

Complicated form of acute tonsillitis

A serious complication of bacterial tonsillitis is a peritonsillar abscess or phlegmonous tonsillitis. This condition is characterized by the occurrence of extensive inflammation not only in the tonsils, but also in the tissues adjacent to them. A peritonsillar abscess can develop on one or both sides of the tonsil.

Most often, the complication is recorded in children, adolescents and young adults. The basis of treatment for peritonsillar abscess is:

  • opening and drainage of purulent contents;
  • prescription of antibiotics.

Despite the threatening name of the disease and the rather frightening picture, full of bright ulcers against the background of purplish-red tonsils, peritonsillar abscess responds well to antibacterial treatment. What antibiotics are prescribed for phlegmonous sore throat?

As a rule, oral, that is, tablet medications are sufficient to eliminate the pathogen. The following are used as first-line treatments for peritonsillar abscess:

In rare cases of spontaneous opening of a paratonsillar abscess during antibacterial therapy, gargling with antiseptic solutions is recommended.

The effectiveness of treatment for angina largely depends on how long you take antibiotics: the course of treatment should not last less than 10 days.

Sore throat: antibiotics for mixed infection

In the vast majority of cases, the cause of bacterial sore throat is streptococcus. However, there is a possibility of developing tonsillitis as a result of infection with intracellular pathogens, including mycoplasma and chlamydia. Penicillins and cephalosporins do not penetrate the cell membrane and therefore do not have a bactericidal effect on these microorganisms.

Sore throat associated with intracellular bacteria requires a special approach to therapy. The disease must be carefully diagnosed, and the pathogen itself must be identified. If tonsillitis is associated with intracellular infection, macrolide antibiotics are the drugs of choice.

The most effective macrolides include Azithromycin and Clarithromycin.

The famous antibiotic, which is taken for sore throat and contains only 3 tablets per package, is Azithromycin. The drug has a long half-life, so it can be used only once a day. The adult dosage is 500 mg per day, and the children's dosage is selected individually depending on the age and weight of the child. The course of treatment for tonsillitis with Azithromycin can range from three to seven days.

Clarithromycin is a broad-spectrum macrolide often prescribed for tonsillitis. Adult patients are advised to use 250–500 mg of Clarithromycin per day for seven or ten days. The dosage for children is 7.5 mg per kilogram of the child’s body weight.

Effective clarithromycin preparations include:

— Klacid produced by the famous company Abbott;

— Fromilid, which is produced by the Slovak company KRKA;

— Clarithromycin-Teva from the Israeli concern Teva.

Self-medication - stop!

If symptoms of a bacterial sore throat appear, any patient should immediately consult a doctor. If, against the background of a sore throat and a moderate increase in temperature, there is a sharp deterioration in the condition - fever, intense pain, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath - there is no time to waste. Moreover, bacterial tonsillitis is an infection that can be transmitted by airborne droplets. This means that while you are thinking about the need to see a doctor, you can infect the whole family. And it’s not just you who will need a doctor.

Despite the fact that antibiotics are still available in Russian pharmacies without a prescription, you should not rely on luck. The prerogative of selecting an antibacterial agent belongs only to specialists. Trust the knowledge and experience of a qualified doctor and recover from this unpleasant disease - sore throat - with a calm heart.

The article above and comments written by readers are for informational purposes only and do not encourage self-medication. Consult a specialist regarding your own symptoms and illnesses. When taking any medicine, you should always use the instructions that come with the medicine and your doctor's advice as a guide.

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