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Pharyngitis
– inflammation of the mucous membrane and lymphoid tissue of the pharynx.
Causes of pharyngitis
The main cause of pharyngitis is inhalation of hot, cold or polluted air, exposure to chemical irritations. Infectious pharyngitis can be provoked by various microorganisms (strepto-, staphylo-, pneumococci), as well as viruses (influenza, adenoviruses) and Candida fungi. Pharyngitis often develops as a result of the spread of infection beyond the focus of inflammation adjacent to the pharynx (sinusitis, rhinitis, caries).
Classification pharyngitis
There are acute and chronic pharyngitis.
Acute pharyngitis develops immediately after exposure of the pharyngeal mucosa to an aggressive factor (infection, irritant gas, etc.). The course of acute pharyngitis is favorable.
Chronic pharyngitis may be a consequence of untreated acute pharyngitis, as well as an independent disease that occurs with prolonged irritation of the pharyngeal mucosa. In the development of chronic pharyngitis, phases of exacerbation and remission are observed.
Clinical picture of pharyngitis
The symptom is pharyngitis depend on the nature of the disease.
Acute pharyngitis – usually an independent disease that develops after inhaling irritating gases and dust (most often), eating hot or too cold food, overheating and hypothermia. As a rule, the patient (child or adult) complains of a sore and sore throat, a dry and sometimes painful cough. It is possible that the temperature may rise to subfebrile levels (37,5…38°), rarely higher.
If acute pharyngitis is detected against the background of another disease (for example, ARVI), manifestations of the underlying disease (measles, scarlet fever, influenza and others) are added to the clinical signs of pharyngitis.
Symptoms acute pharyngitis against the background of ARVI or other infectious diseases are supplemented by signs of the underlying disease: high temperature, difficulty breathing, signs of intoxication, rash, and so on.
When examining the throat (pharyngoscopy), you can notice pronounced redness of the pharyngeal mucosa. In some cases, small ulcerations of the mucous membrane are detected.
It is necessary to distinguish between acute pharyngitis and acute tonsillitis. Acute tonsillitis (tonsillitis) is called local inflammation of the tonsils; in acute pharyngitis, the inflammatory process takes on a more diffuse character, and the symptoms of acute tonsillitis (pain when swallowing, fever, enlarged cervical lymph nodes) are supplemented by symptoms of inflammation of the walls of the pharynx: sore and dry throat, dry cough.
RџSЂRё chronic pharyngitis symptoms of the disease are less pronounced. The patient complains of a feeling of dryness or sore throat, and a dry, painful cough is often observed. Exacerbation of chronic pharyngitis resembles acute pharyngitis.
Treatment of pharyngitis
Treatment of pharyngitis is aimed at eliminating the factor that caused the disease.
In the case of bacterial pharyngitis, this is achieved with the help of antibiotics (including locally: gargling, irrigation of the tonsils and back of the throat with aerosols, and physiotherapeutic methods.
In case of pharyngitis caused by prolonged inhalation of smoke or irritating substances, use personal protective equipment or change your place of work.
General recommendations for treatment: quit smoking, do not abuse alcohol, use air humidifiers at home, do not eat food that irritates the throat.
Any drug treatment for pharyngitis should be prescribed and carried out under the supervision of the attending otolaryngologist.