Purulent angina – causes, symptoms, treatment, complications [EXPLAINED]

Purulent angina is the common name for inflammation of the palatine tonsils and the pharyngeal mucosa. According to the medical nomenclature, purulent angina is also called streptococcal angina. Why? Because it is caused by group A hemolytic streptococcus bacteria. What are the symptoms of purulent angina? How to correctly diagnose purulent angina? How is this disease in children and in adults? Is purulent angina in a nursing mother a threat to the baby? You will find the answers to these questions in the article.

Purulent angina – characteristics

Purulent angina is one of the infectious diseases caused by the aforementioned haemolytic streptococci from group A. One of the causes of purulent angina may also be bacteria Haemophilus influenzae and escherichia coli.

Purulent angina is most often transmitted by droplets. Children can get infected with it in kindergarten or school, while adults can catch it in public transport or in places with a large concentration of people. Infection can also be caused by touch.

Purulent angina – tonsils

Palatine tonsils arranged symmetrically on the left and right side of the pharynx behind the palatal arches. They are considered one of the elements of the pharyngeal lymphatic system. The tonsils connect to the human lymphatic system through a network of lymphatic and blood vessels. The presence of tonsils in a healthy child is almost imperceptible because they are about the size of a pea. When the throat becomes infected, the tonsils are the first barrier to keep bacteria and viruses out. Bloodshot and swollen tonsils herald developing angina.

Read more: Washing your hands can protect against viruses. How to do it effectively?

Purulent angina – symptoms

Purulent angina, or inflammation of the palatine tonsils, usually develops within three days. Symptoms that occur during this disease are similar to a cold, there is a low-grade fever, and the tonsils are significantly enlarged. Then it is enough to rest, lozenges for the throat and warm compresses for the neck.

During purulent angina, the mucosa of the tonsils and pharynx is hyperemic, there is a white coating on the tongue and painful enlargement of the lymph nodes. In some cases, there are petechiae on the soft palate and purulent-mucus plugs.

Virus-induced angina causes inflammation in the tonsil parenchyma. On their surface, in small depressions called crypts, a yellow-white purulent coating appears. In the first stage of the disease, it can be removed from the tonsils with a small spoon. This procedure may trigger a gag reflex. After about five days, the symptoms of the disease gradually improve, except for weakness and a low-grade fever.

Check out more information on: Chronic purulent inflammation of the palatine tonsils

Purulent angina – diagnosis

When diagnosing angina, the etiology of its symptoms is important. Diagnosis of angina and its types is usually made on the basis of several factors. The first is the site of infection, where we distinguish adenoid angina and lingual tonsil angina.

The second factor is the clinical picture, which includes angina erythematosus, angina with purulent exudate, angina with superficial ulceration and deep ulceration.

The third factor by which we make a diagnosis of angina is the triggering features of the disease. These include angina of fungal, bacterial, viral and non-infectious etiology. However, in medical practice, we most often distinguish streptococcal angina, i.e. bacterial angina, and viral angina – herpangina.

The diagnosis of a sick person with bacterial or viral angina is a bit complicated, because the symptoms are very similar in both cases. Purulent angina and its symptoms appear suddenly, while viral angina is very easy to confuse with an ordinary cold. Despite the available methods and tools, 100% diagnosis of bacterial infection is difficult, it is only possible with the strep-test. Home angina test – ANGINA STREP Buy today at Medonet Market.

What is the best way to diagnose purulent angina? In this case, the best option would be to culture the throat or tonsil swab for bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes, i.e. pyogenic streptococcus. A positive result is detected 24 hours after taking the test. Then antibiotic therapy is necessary.

Read more: How is a cold different from tonsillitis?

Purulent angina – course

The course of purulent angina from infection to disease incubation is about five days. The development of the disease is quite sudden and violent. Then there is a high fever, pain in joints and muscles, and chills. There is also a feeling of swelling in the throat, especially when swallowing. It is not uncommon to develop appetite disturbances, vomiting or breathing difficulties.

The aforementioned high fever usually persists in the first phase of the disease. It clears up after about four days. The sore throat associated with purulent angina should stop within a week. Purulent angina, due to its bacterial etiology, requires antibiotic therapy, which lasts no less than 10 days.

Check out more: Antibiotics – types, action, use and side effects

Purulent angina – patient isolation

As far as the home conditions allow it, the sick person should isolate himself from others. The infection period ends approximately 24 hours after taking the antibiotic. It is worth giving up professional activity at this time. Children with purulent angina should not attend kindergarten or school. The more you limit your contacts with another person, the lower the risk of contamination.

Purulent angina – treatment

Purulent angina is best treated with antibiotics. The sooner pharmacological treatment is introduced, the symptoms of purulent angina will subside. Thanks to antibiotic therapy, a sore throat quickly subsides, fever decreases and the risk of complications is reduced. Antibiotics should be assigned depending on the individual circumstances of the patient.

The best drug is phenoxymethylpenicillin, which is effective against streptococcal bacteria. Penicillin is highly safe, inexpensive, and can be taken by pregnant women. During treatment, the symptoms of the disease are eliminated very quickly. Penicillin treatment failures may be due to the presence of pathogens that inhibit the drug, bacterial carrier or failure to follow the exact instructions of the doctor.

If the patient is allergic to penicillin, purulent angina can be treated with macrolides (azithromycin and clarithromycin) or cefadroxil. In addition to antibiotic therapy, symptomatic treatment is required during purulent angina. Then the doctor prescribes painkillers, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs containing the appropriate dose of ibuprofen or paracetamol.

In order to quickly combat the troublesome symptoms of purulent angina, it is also worth using drugs with benzydamine, which work locally, and lozenges to reduce swelling and redness of the throat mucosa. Chamomile and sage rinses are also recommended. You should also remember about systematic supplementation with vitamin C. When treating purulent angina, you should take care of your diet and take a large amount of cooled liquids, i.e. tea with honey, lemon and raspberries or infusions with licorice and fennel, e.g. Throat Comfort Bio Yogi Tea, can be purchased at an attractive price on Medonet Market.

What are drugs with benzydamine? Read: Benzydamine – occurrence, indications

Purulent angina – complications

Late diagnosis of purulent angina or a short treatment process may lead to serious complications. One of them is a peritonsillar or extra-tonsil abscess. It appears as a result of the infection of the tonsils on the throat wall. This is when pus accumulates between the tonsil capsule and the pharyngeal muscular wall. These types of complications may arise if the infection is misdiagnosed or the dose of the drug you are taking is insufficient.

Untreated purulent angina can lead to glomerulonephritis, which develops within 2-3 weeks after angina. Glomerulonephritis results in severe impairment of these organs, which can lead to their failure. Ignoring the symptoms of angina can also lead to inflammation of the inner ear, rheumatic fever, arthritis and myocarditis.

Check out more about: The “silent and insidious killer” who destroys our health. How is kidney failure diagnosed?

Purulent angina in children

The course of purulent angina may vary depending on the child’s health. It is worth remembering that children under 12 years of age cannot take salicylates (e.g. acetylsalicylic acid) as antipyretic drugs. These drugs could permanently damage your baby’s liver. To relieve the pain of enlarged lymph nodes, it is worth doing warm compresses around the neck and gargle with sage or thyme infusion. The quick recovery after angina is also influenced by a fragmented and easily digestible diet and giving the child plenty of fluids.

Children with decreased resistance are at risk of relapse of angina every 2 weeks. If the infection persists, it is best to collect a throat swab and culture it. These tests will help determine what strain of bacteria causes angina and choose the right antibiotic. One of the methods of detecting the presence of streptococcus bacteria is the determination of the so-called antibodies. ASO.

During purulent angina, the child’s immune system should also be supported through the use of homeopathic medicines. Then, climatic treatment is recommended, i.e. a stay in a sanatorium. In the case of relapses of angina, the family doctor may refer you to an ENT specialist. Detailed research will help determine the cause of relapses. An ENT doctor may consider having your child’s tonsils removed.

How to get to the sanatorium? Read: Referrals to a sanatorium. Everything you need to know about them

Purulent angina – removal of the tonsils

The procedure of removing the palatine tonsils, also called tonsillectomy, is recommended when there is a peritonsillar abscess and in the case of hemorrhagic tonsillitis. This treatment is also used when the palatine tonsils are oversized and lead to apnea.

If your child has a bead angina at least 7 times a year, the doctor may consider tonsillectomy. Tonsil removal is also recommended in the case of lymphadenitis. To make a decision about the procedure, the doctor should take into account the patient’s age, the scales of complications after angina, possible health benefits, and most of all the history of diseases.

What does the tonsil removal procedure look like? Read: Tonsil removal – what is it and is it worth undergoing the procedure?

Purulent angina – carrier

In some patients with streptococcal angina, who did not require pharmacological treatment, the symptoms of the disease may disappear after a few days. Despite their well-being, these people are still carriers of streptococcal bacteria. The period of “carrier” can last up to several months and can leave a mark on the body.

Streptococcus bacteria are located in the palatine tonsils. Their task is to stimulate the lymphatic system to produce antibodies that may attack the cardiac system or kidneys in the near future. In order to avoid complications after the disease, it is recommended to perform basic laboratory tests, such as ESR, urinalysis, blood count and ECG.

If we are carriers of streptococcus, we must be careful in hot weather, because when the air temperature rises (especially in summer and winter) it is easiest to get sick. Then, sudden changes in temperature should be avoided, e.g. when eating ice cream or drinking chilled drinks. It is also worth avoiding air-conditioned rooms and fans.

Tonsillitis may be more common in people with a curve of the nasal septum who need to breathe through the mouth. As a result, untreated air gets into the throat, which contains many microbes and dust. Purulent angina can also accompany some infectious diseases, which include infectious mononucleosis and scarlet fever.

Read more about mononucleosis: Infectious mononucleosis – symptoms, complications, treatment

Purulent angina – prevention

As you know, angina is an infectious disease and infection occurs through droplets. If we are dealing with a sick person or a carrier, it is very difficult to avoid infection. However, it is worth following a few rules prophylactically.

To prevent infection with purulent angina, avoid contact with an infected person and observe the principles of personal hygiene (keep the surroundings of the sick person clean and wash their hands frequently).

One way to avoid strep throat is to watch your body during a throat infection. It is then necessary to observe if there is a coating on the pharyngeal wall, swelling or small bubbles, and if the almonds are enlarged. If we are susceptible to diseases, we need to rebuild our immunity, especially in the fall and winter season. Strengthening immunity usually relies on a healthy diet that should be tailored to individual needs. Regular physical activity is also important, including long walks, cycling or jogging.

How to strengthen immunity in a child? Read: 10 ways to strengthen your baby’s immunity

Purulent angina and breastfeeding

Breastfeeding women who suffer from purulent angina do not pose a threat to the baby. Infection of an infant through breast milk is not possible. Together with the mother’s food, the baby gets antibodies that strengthen its body and reduce the risk of infection. Considering how purulent angina travels, there is always a risk of infection. Then you should go to the doctor to prescribe an antibiotic that is safe and does not endanger the nursing woman, and thus the baby.

Also read: Antibiotic therapy during pregnancy may promote the development of asthma in children

Purulent angina – vaccination

Research on the development of an effective and safe vaccine against bacterial angina, i.e. against bacteria from the strain S. pyogenes it is a long process.

Laboratory studies have been carried out for many years, but so far no effective, commercially used vaccine that protects against purulent angina has been found.

Is it worth getting vaccinated? Read: Vaccinations – types, compulsory vaccinations, adverse vaccination reactions