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Inflammation of the nasopharynx: signs, treatment and prevention of the disease
Hypothermia against the background of a weak immune system, especially in the autumn-winter period, is fraught with colds.
Inflammation of the nasopharynx (rhinopharyngitis) – This is one of the most common ailments of a viral infection that affects the mucous membranes of the nose and pharynx.
Symptoms of inflammation of the nasopharynx
Rhinopharyngitis includes signs of two diseases:
- From rhinitis – nasal congestion, runny nose, headache.
- Pharyngitis causes acute pain and burning in the throat during swallowing.
Added to this is malaise and weakness of the body, a nasal voice, and sometimes the temperature rises.
Symptoms of inflammation of the nasopharynx are sometimes confused with a sore throat, when the tonsils become inflamed and a sore throat appears. Only a general practitioner can make an accurate diagnosis.
Young children experience nasopharyngitis more severely than adults. Immunity at an early age is very weak and the infection quickly spreads to the ear canal, the temperature rises to 38–39°C. High fever sometimes causes seizures in young children. There may be a gastrointestinal disorder.
Next, nasopharyngitis gains momentum (3–4 days) and a cough, congestion in the ears, runny nose and pain when swallowing may appear. Closer to the 7th day, the condition begins to improve, it is easier to breathe through the nose, the swelling of the pharyngeal mucosa subsides.
The allergic form does not differ in symptoms from the simple course of the disease. The mucous membrane of the nasopharynx becomes inflamed, which leads to the appearance of nasal discharge. Cough and tickling occurs as a consequence of a runny nose. Characteristic signs include watery eyes and sneezing.
Chronic form of inflammation of the nasopharynx develops from an untreated acute stage of the disease.
There are several types of chronic nasopharyngitis:
- Catarrhal (simple) – characterized by redness of the pharyngeal mucosa and a small amount of nasal discharge.
- Hypertrophic – the lymph nodes are enlarged, there is a sensation of a foreign object in the larynx, a runny nose. When you cough, thick mucus comes out.
- Atrophic – causes hoarseness. The mucous membrane is overdried and covered with crusts.
Causes of nasopharyngitis
The main cause of colds is hypothermia. Drinking cold drinks or food can trigger an inflammatory process in the pharynx.
Rhinopharyngitis manifests itself when immunity in children decreases due to infectious diseases (measles, scarlet fever).
The allergic form occurs due to exposure to allergens, especially during the flowering period of plants.
The nose is the first to “meet” viruses and bacteria. A common runny nose leads to infection of the pharyngeal mucosa. Acute respiratory diseases (ARI), influenza, and sore throat spread throughout the upper respiratory tract system. Colds are transmitted through contact with a sick person through the air. It is necessary to seek medical help at the first symptoms of inflammation of the nasopharynx in order to avoid severe consequences (otitis media, purulent tonsillitis, bronchitis) and the chronic form of the disease.
Treatment of inflammation of the nasopharynx
Self-treatment of inflammation of the nasopharynx can only lead to a worsening of the situation. The symptoms of nasopharyngitis are similar to those of other colds, which are treated with completely different methods.
Effective treatment for the patient, after establishing an accurate diagnosis, is prescribed by a general practitioner, pediatrician or otolaryngologist (ENT).
In a protracted acute form of nasopharyngitis, when the back wall of the pharynx is covered with pus, antibiotic therapy is prescribed. Antipyretic drugs for children based on paracetamol and ibuprofen are produced in different forms (syrups, suppositories, powders). Depending on the age of the patient with fever due to inflammation of the nasopharynx, the doctor will prescribe the most appropriate option.