Acute catarrhal pharyngitis – symptoms, treatment and causes

Acute catarrhal pharyngitis is an acute inflammation of the mucosa of the back wall of the pharynx and the lymphatic tissue of the pharynx. The disease is the result of a viral or bacterial infection. Usually it is preceded by acute rhinitis and nasopharyngitis. The symptoms are manifested by a predominant sore throat and a feeling of dryness in the throat.

What is acute catarrhal pharyngitis?

Acute catarrhal pharyngitis is a condition characterized by acute inflammation of the mucosa of the back of the pharynx and the lymphatic tissue of the pharynx, trachea, nose and larynx. It is worth mentioning that the mucosa protects the body against microbes. Pharyngitis can attack not only the mucosa, but also the tonsils. A disease entity is diagnosed taking into account the predominant disease picture. Inflammation can be a spontaneous disease, but it can also indicate other more serious ailments.

Mechanism of acute catarrhal pharyngitis

Penetrating (together with the air inhaled) into the throat, nose, sinuses or trachea – viruses, fungi and bacteria cause pharyngitis. As soon as we breathe through the nose, the penetrating bacteria and microbes are filtered through the nasal mucosa. Subsequently, relatively moistened and purified air flows into the throat and trachea. If we have a runny nose, our nose is blocked, then we breathe through the mouth and the air, bypassing the nasal mucosa, goes directly to the lungs. This additionally causes irritation of the throat by inhaling smoke or dust. Heavy smokers have a much more weakened mucosa, which means that microbes can more easily penetrate the body and develop an infection.

The causes of acute catarrhal pharyngitis

The causes of pharyngitis are mainly viruses (up to 80% of cases), and less often bacteria. The main viruses are rhinoviruses, enteroviruses, adenoviruses, and less often the herpes virus or influenza. Microbes attack the body and cause infection, especially if we have a weakened immune system. Pharyngitis is a condition that can also accompany infectious diseases that appear during childhood:

1. rubella,
2. piggy,
3. fame,
4. stage.

If there is already a bacterial infection, it is considered the main culprit Streptococcus pyogenes, that is, a bacterium from the streptococcus family. Occupation of the tonsils by this type of bacteria leads to typical angina. Acute pharyngitis can also be caused by the presence of staphylococcus aureus and pneumonia.

Factors that increase the risk of acute catarrhal pharyngitis

The factors influencing the appearance of ailments include:

1. alcohol abuse,
2. smoking,
3. drinking cold drinks,
4. mouth breathing (the pharyngeal mucosa does not clean the air inhaled),
5. nutritional deficiencies,
6. decrease in the body’s resistance (e.g. as a result of medications),
7. untreated teeth causing purulent lesions in the mouth,
8. sinusitis.

Symptoms of acute catarrhal pharyngitis

Symptoms they are similar to those in acute rhinitis, with the sore throat being more troublesome. The predominant symptom is sore throat of varying intensity, accompanied by a feeling of dryness, forcing the patient to swallow frequently, which aggravates the pain. The disease usually proceeds with increased temperature and general weakness.

Other symptoms of this ailment are:

1. burning in the throat
2. a scratchy throat feeling
3. pain when swallowing
4. pharyngeal congestion
5. reddening of the tonsils without the white coating typical of angina,
6. runny nose – usually precedes pharyngitis,
7. no enlarged lymph nodes,
8. sometimes there are headaches, malaise, earache and loss of appetite,
9. conjunctivitis and laryngitis may occur.
10. difficulty breathing,
11. bad smell from the mouth,

Note: In young children and infants, acute pharyngitis may have more severe symptoms, and diarrhea is often also present. In young patients, pharyngitis often leads to otitis media.

For pain and scratching in the throat, try the herbapol FOR THROAT tea supplement in Krakow. It reduces inflammation and facilitates expectoration.

Diagnosis of acute catarrhal pharyngitis

It happens that patients with acute pharyngitis do not consult a doctor at all, because it is a condition that is usually short-lived. However, the occurrence of severe symptoms (especially in children) should be reported to a doctor (pediatrician, family doctor). Diagnosis is based on viewing the throat by a doctor and sometimes taking a smear (not necessary). The exception may be bacterial inflammation that does not respond to treatment, and changes in the throat may indicate more serious conditions such as syphilis.

Treatment of acute catarrhal pharyngitis

Acute pharyngitis that lasts more than 48 hours and is characterized by serous, clear or purulent discharge and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck should receive specialist treatment. Pharyngitis of viral origin does not require the administration of antibiotics. Unfortunately, very often patients take an antibiotic for minor throat infections, and sometimes even force the doctor to prescribe it in order to recover as soon as possible. Taking antibiotics without a specific indication not only makes the patient immune to them, but also poses a threat to their health.

Viruses cause over 80% of acute pharyngitis, and taking antibiotics (which do not work against viruses) damages the gastrointestinal mucosa and can cause oropharyngeal thrush.

Of course, in some cases, bacterial contamination can occur when the bacterium joins the viral agent. Then there is a significant exacerbation of both general and local symptoms. Then we have an indication to implement antibiotic therapy.

The following are tips on how to deal with acute catarrhal pharyngitis.

1. The patient should stay at home and be treated symptomatically.
2. Common painkillers can be used, such as paracetamol; anti-inflammatory and antipyretic preparations. It is also recommended to take topical disinfectants (benzydamine or chlorhexidine) – in the form of lozenges or gargle solutions.
3. A home remedy to alleviate pharyngitis is to mix warm milk with honey or garlic, and then drink the prepared mixture. In some patients, this method may, unfortunately, irritate the mucosa even more. 
4. Patients should avoid factors that irritate the pharyngeal mucosa: cold and hot drinks, spicy spices, dry air (here it is important to moisturize and air the rooms).
5. Herbal teas with soothing and warming properties are also available for a sore throat. At Medonet Market you can buy Throat Comfort Bio Yogi Tea at an attractive price, which also has anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties.

Is acute catarrhal pharyngitis a health risk?

If it is diagnosed and treated early, it does not pose a health risk. However, in young children (as already mentioned) it can cause acute otitis media. However, in elderly patients, acute bacterial pharyngitis can turn into angina and lead to complications such as:

1. rheumatic fever,
2. glomerulonephritis.

It is important to find the cause of the pharyngitis and remove it, e.g. smokers should give up the habit. However, if the cause is another chronic disease, it is necessary to focus on its treatment and the use of preparations having a local effect on the throat mucosa.