Red throat in adults
Together with an otolaryngologist and a therapist, we discussed what a red throat in adults can say, how it looks in various diseases and how to treat it

According to statistics, up to 30% of visits to therapists and otolaryngologists are associated with complaints of pain and redness in the throat1. In most cases, during examination, the doctor detects inflammation of the mucous membrane of the oropharynx – what is called “red throat”. The causes of red throat in adults are very diverse – from acute respiratory diseases to allergic reactions and endocrine pathologies.1. Let’s try to figure out what the redness of the throat means, we will talk about possible methods for the prevention and treatment of this condition.

Causes of red throat in adults

A red throat in adults most often signals a viral or bacterial infection.1. Another common cause is a common cold, in which mucous secretions flow down the back of the throat, irritating it.

In addition to infections and a runny nose, redness in the throat is provoked by the following factors1,2:

  • allergic reactions;
  • diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
  • eating spicy food;
  • mechanical damage;
  • thermal and chemical burns.

The cause of redness should be determined by a doctor. He also prescribes an examination, selects methods of treatment and advises preventive measures.

The most common causes of red throat in adults are acute respiratory infections, including those caused by the Covid-19 virus. There are several diseases that are almost always accompanied by redness of the pharynx.

Pharyngitis

Acute pharyngitis2 cause adenoviruses, influenza and parainfluenza viruses, mycoplasma, streptococci and staphylococci. When examining the throat, redness and swelling of the posterior pharyngeal wall, soft palate and tongue are visible. The patient complains of pain when swallowing, perspiration, itching and dry cough.

Acute tonsillitis

The disease is provoked by viruses, bacteria and pathogenic fungi. For acute tonsillitis3 tonsils are red and enlarged, yellowish-white dots appear on their surface. Often there is a sharp pain in the throat, which increases with chewing and swallowing, gives to the ear or temple.

Scarlet fever

This is an acute infectious disease that causes group A pyogenic streptococcus. With scarlet fever, bright redness with clearly defined boundaries appears on the tonsils and palate, and a purulent plaque may be observed. Redness is accompanied by a sore throat, an increase in the submandibular and upper cervical lymph nodes.

Angina

Angina is caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. When examining the throat, swollen bright red tonsils are visible, covered with white follicles 2–3 mm in diameter. On the first day of the disease, pain appears when swallowing, which then becomes constant.

What does a red throat look like in adults

Redness can be of different intensity and localization. In some diseases, the follicles become inflamed, a white or purulent coating appears on the tonsils and tongue. By the way the red throat looks in adults, it is possible to assume with high accuracy the cause of the inflammation.

How to treat red throat in adults

Red throat is not a diagnosis, but a symptom of many diseases of an infectious and non-infectious nature. Therefore, redness of the mucous membrane is a reason to consult a general practitioner (general practitioner, family doctor) or an otolaryngologist. The doctor will prescribe treatment or refer you to another specialist: endocrinologist, allergist, gastroenterologist.

Diagnostics

The cause of redness is determined by visual inspection, instrumental and laboratory studies. Sometimes a swab is taken from the throat to identify the causative agent of the disease. When making a diagnosis, the presence or absence of other symptoms is taken into account:

  • high temperature,
  • cough,
  • pain when swallowing
  • hoarseness of voice,
  • bad breath.

Only after the examination, the doctor determines how to treat the red throat in adults.

Modern ways

Acute respiratory diseases are treated with medications and physiotherapy.3. Medicines are selected taking into account the causative agent of the disease. For example, with angina, these will be antibiotics, with coronavirus infection – direct-acting antiviral drugs, with oropharyngeal candidiasis – antifungal agents for resorption.

In case of acute respiratory infections in a mild form, symptomatic therapy is prescribed: gargling, sprays with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects3. Sometimes inhalations with the use of anti-inflammatory, decongestant and mucolytic drugs are necessary.3. In a chronic inflammatory process, physiotherapy is indicated: ultraviolet irradiation, phonophoresis, magnetotherapy.

Folk methods

In some cases, throat diseases can be cured with the help of traditional medicine. In almost every home there is a package with a medicinal plant: chamomile, succession, sage, linden. Of these, decoctions are prepared for gargling. These plants have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, soften the irritated mucous membrane.

You can speed up recovery if you follow simple rules:

  • drink as much warm liquid as possible: fruit drinks, compotes;
  • regularly do wet cleaning in the room;
  • quit smoking;
  • exclude from the diet spices, spices and coarse food, which injures the mucous membrane.

The inflammatory process at an early stage can be cured by following only these recommendations. In more complex cases, medications and physiotherapy procedures will be needed.

Throat prevention for adults at home

Prevention of throat diseases is especially relevant in the cold season, when the cold season begins. A person with a strong immune system is much more likely to avoid infection or suffer a mild illness. Measures to strengthen immunity are primarily:

  • balanced diet with plenty of vitamins and minerals;
  • hardening with a contrast shower;
  • regular exercise and outdoor activities.

An excellent preventive measure is gargling with a solution of sea salt. Salted water has an antimicrobial effect and protects against pathogenic microflora.

The mucous membrane of the larynx needs constant moisture, especially in winter, when the air in the room becomes too dry due to the operation of heating appliances. The solution to the problem can be a humidifier that will provide the desired degree of hydration.

Preventive measures include regular check-ups with a therapist. At least once a year, you need to visit a doctor in order to exclude serious pathologies and start treatment on time if a specialist detects a problem.

Popular questions and answers

Our experts answer popular questions about the causes of redness in the throat and possible treatments: Ivan Leskov, general practitioner of the highest category, otolaryngologist, and Sergey Bortulev, general practitioner of the highest category, candidate of medical sciences.

If the throat is red without fever, what can this mean?

This is a fairly common phenomenon in pharyngitis of infectious and non-infectious origin. Infectious pharyngitis is caused by viruses, fungi and bacteria. Non-infectious pharyngitis is provoked by unfavorable climatic and professional factors, for example, a high load on the vocal cords in singers, announcers, and teachers.

Redness of the mucosa without temperature is also observed in pathologies of the digestive system, in particular, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or hernia of the esophageal diaphragm. In this case, patients complain of hoarseness and bad breath in the morning. Redness of the mucous membrane of the pharynx is a common symptom in people with diabetes and other endocrine disorders. Sometimes hyperemia of the mucosa persists for several weeks after a respiratory infection, such as tonsillitis.

When to see a doctor for a reddened throat?

They consult a doctor if the redness does not go away within a few days, is accompanied by pain, itching and dryness in the throat, cough and high fever. Medical attention is required if, along with redness of the throat, the patient has symptoms such as sensation of a foreign body in the larynx, difficulty breathing, general weakness and weight loss. Do not self-diagnose and take medications. Diagnosis and treatment of red throat in adults should be handled by a specialist.

Is it possible to treat a red throat with folk remedies?

You can at an early stage. In almost every home there is a package with a medicinal plant: chamomile, succession, sage, linden. Of these, decoctions are prepared for gargling. These plants have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, soften the irritated mucous membrane.
  1. Sobolev V. P., Karpova O. Yu., Artamonova P. S. New possibilities for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the pharynx. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/novye-vozmozhnosti-lecheniya-vospalitelnyh-zabolevaniy-glotki/viewer
  2. Lopatin AS Treatment of acute and chronic pharyngitis. Russian medical journal. https://www.rmj.ru/articles/otorinolaringologiya/

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  3. Kunelskaya N.L., Romanenko S.G., Pavlikhin O.G., Eliseev O.V., Yakovlev V.S., Krasnikova D.I., Lesogorova E.V., Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Otorhinolaryngology them. L.I. Sverzhevsky” of the Department of Health of Moscow. Therapy of inflammatory diseases of the larynx. https://remedium.ru/doctor/otorhinolar/terapiya

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