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Acute pharyngitis in adults is one of the most common inflammatory diseases of the pharynx, affecting its mucous and lymphoid tissue. Acute pharyngitis can manifest itself as an independent disease and as a concomitant with SARS. Often, acute pharyngitis in adults is confused with a sore throat and treated incorrectly: then it becomes chronic and can lead to serious complications such as laryngitis, tracheitis, chronic bronchitis, or even acute articular rheumatism.
Symptoms of acute pharyngitis in adults
The main symptoms of acute pharyngitis in adults are similar to the symptoms of SARS and tonsillitis:
- sharp pain in the throat;
- perspiration, dryness and burning in the throat;
- dry cough;
- accumulation of mucus in the throat;
- an increase in the cervical submandibular nodes;
- temperature rise.
Often, pain when swallowing can be given to the ear, there is a feeling of congestion. The patient feels overwhelmed and weakened, and if pharyngitis develops against the background of SARS, a runny nose and muscle pain may be added to unpleasant symptoms.
“The main difference between acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis is that the body temperature does not exceed 38 ° C, the tonsils are not covered with purulent plaque and are not hyperemic,” says otolaryngologist Petr Kirillov.
Acute pharyngitis in adults is divided into the following forms:
- viral (most often caused by rhinovirus);
- bacterial (caused by streptococci, staphylococci and pneumococci);
- fungal (most often caused by the fungus Candida);
- traumatic (for example, if the throat was scratched by a sharp fish bone or burned with boiling water);
- allergic (occurs when inhaling allergens or irritants, such as tobacco, exhaust gases or dusty air).
Also, the development of acute pharyngitis in adults is facilitated by the presence in the pharynx of another focus of inflammation (rhinitis, sinusitis or caries).
Treatment of acute pharyngitis in adults
local treatment. First of all, the treatment of acute pharyngitis in adults includes rinsing and irrigating the throat with antiseptic agents in the form of sprays and solutions: Geksoral, Tantum Verde, Arengo-sept, Chlorhexidine and others.
– These drugs also include an anesthetic, so they not only kill pathogenic microbes and fungi and prevent the development of a secondary infection, but also help get rid of pain and perspiration, have a softening and anti-inflammatory effect. If there is no spray at hand, you can dissolve special lozenges, tablets, lozenges (for example, Faringosept, Septolete or Strepsils). They can be bought at any pharmacy without a prescription, but be sure to check with your doctor first. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe antitussives, and in case of an allergic form of acute pharyngitis, he will prescribe antihistamines,” says otolaryngologist Petr Kirillov.
We raise immunity. Since acute pharyngitis in adults can develop against a background of weakened immunity, care should be taken to raise it. For this purpose, special pharmaceutical immunomodulators (IRS-19, Lizobakt, Imudon, Bronchomunal and others) are excellent, as well as time-tested general strengthening agents, such as vitamin C, rosehip decoction, tea with honey and lemon (in the absence of allergies), ginger, garlic and raspberries.
Eliminate irritants. It is clear that there is nowhere to escape from polluted air in a metropolis, and you still have to breathe cold air in winter, then this impact can be minimized. In summer, spend more time outside the city and in parks, take care of good ventilation in the apartment, buy an ionizer or humidifier. And in winter, wrap yourself tightly with a scarf and try to breathe through your nose so as not to chill your throat.
“In acute pharyngitis, it is better to follow a sparing diet: exclude spicy, salty, sour, too hot or cold foods from your diet, give up cigarettes, alcohol and carbonated drinks, especially those with a high content of dyes and chemical additives,” says the otolaryngologist.
What antibiotics can be used for acute pharyngitis?
If the disease is severe, and other infections have joined acute pharyngitis, for example, inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis), then antibiotics cannot be dispensed with. The main rule: never prescribe antibiotics yourself, only a doctor can prescribe them! In this case, as a rule, the specialist must first take a smear to determine the causative agent of the disease and sensitivity to antibiotics.
– Most often, we prescribe Ceftriaxone in the form of injections. It is a broad spectrum antibiotic that helps with many bacterial infections. Amoxicillin, Amoxiclav and Cefozalin cope well with the causative agents of the disease, says otolaryngologist Petr Kirillov.
Folk remedies
In addition to pharmaceuticals that can quickly relieve you of the unpleasant symptoms of acute pharyngitis and prevent the transition to a chronic form, there are many alternative methods of treatment that were used by our great-grandmothers.
Most often, folk recipes involve the use of honey and propolis and other bee products, since they are powerful natural immunostimulants and have an anti-inflammatory and softening effect. But it is worth remembering that honey is one of the most allergenic foods, so be careful.
If you do not have allergies, then you can use the following recipes:
Honey with garlic
Take two to three tablespoons of honey (preferably buckwheat) and mix with three cloves of garlic, thoroughly crushed. Then heat the mixture in a water bath for 20 minutes, dilute with boiled water in a ratio of 1:2 and let cool. You can take a teaspoon per hour until the unpleasant symptoms are eliminated.
Honey with fir cones
Take a few tablespoons of spruce buds (you can buy at a pharmacy or take a walk in the forest yourself in the spring) and boil them in 0,5 liters of water. The broth should be filtered through gauze and add honey or propolis in a ratio of 1: 2, then take three times a day for a tablespoon after meals.
– For gargling, propolis tincture, water or alcohol, is well suited. The main thing is that a person does not have an allergy, and carefully read the instructions, says Petr Kirillov.
For the treatment of acute pharyngitis, you can use herbal rinses. The most popular ingredients are chamomile (a powerful natural antiseptic), as well as calendula, sage and blackberry leaves. The recipe for preparing a decoction is simple: brew 10 grams of herbal tea in a glass of boiling water, then strain, cool and gargle. Such herbal infusions relieve pain and redness well.
Rosehip broth also helps to treat throat diseases – a real storehouse of vitamin C. It is best to steam rosehips in a thermos (1 tablespoons of crushed berries per 2 liter of boiling water), and then cool slightly and drink instead of tea.
Prevention at home
Acute pharyngitis, like many other throat diseases, can be avoided if you follow simple rules.
Try to prevent SARS (multivitamins and immunomodulators to help), avoid hypothermia and stay away from drafts. Try to adhere to a healthy lifestyle – often walk in the fresh air, harden. Your diet is of great importance – try to eat spicy, salty and sour foods as little as possible, as well as too cold or hot food on the contrary (for which your gastrointestinal tract will also thank you). Give up cigarettes and alcohol, which irritate the delicate mucous membrane of the throat, highly carbonated drinks with a lot of dyes.
If you work in a factory, often breathe harmful fumes or smoke, do not forget to use respiratory protection – gauze bandages and respirators.
Since acute pharyngitis often develops from another focus of inflammation, therefore, treat sore teeth, runny nose or otitis media in a timely manner.