Pharyngitis: Symptoms, causes and doctor-recommended treatments

What started as a slight itching in the throat soon turned into itching. Annoying throat clearing, pain when swallowing.

Although this may be due to bacteria or other causes such as reflux, your pharyngitis is due to a viral infections, such as the flu or common cold.

Therefore, it is usually more common to winter and springPharmacist Francisco Coello, member of the Department of Optics and Acoustics of the School of Pharmacists of Pontevedra, explains that this can occur even in early summer, although due to viruses causing upper respiratory tract infections.

In most cases, it tends to be mild and go away on its own without the need to see a doctor. But there are things you can do to mitigate this.

What is pharyngitis?

Up to 80% of pharyngitis is caused by viral infection, although certain bacteria can also cause it, especially Streptococcus. Rarely, sore throat may be caused by gonorrhea and chlamydial infections.

According to the University of Navarra (CUN) Clinic, the viruses that most commonly cause these symptoms are those that cause the common cold and flu. (rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, influenza virus); Viruses that cause infectious mononucleosis (EB virus or cytomegalovirus) or herpangina and hand, foot and mouth disease (Coxsackie A virus) or herpetic gingivostomatitis (herpesvirus).

Non-infectious causes may include:

• allergic diseases
• Irritation caused by continued exposure to smoke
• trauma
• using certain medications, such as anticholinergics or antidepressants
• Effects of another pathology, such as gastroesophageal reflux.

Pharyngitis can cause irritation and inflammation from the back of the throatThat is, the pharynx, between the tonsils and the larynx, and specifically its lymphatic tissue. Painful swelling may also occur in the lymph nodes in the neck, where this tissue is also present.

When the cause is contagious Pharyngitis can spread small droplets of saliva passed through talking, coughing or sneezing. “There are external factors that favor its emergence, exacerbating the problem or perpetuating it, such as crowded conditions, pollution, dry environments and, of course, smokers,” Coello added.

symptoms of pharyngitis

The main symptoms are sore throat.Both parties have pharyngitis Children and adults alike It can also cause:

• fever
• General malaise
• Mucous membrane irritation and redness
• pain when swallowing
• dry cough
• Plaque is present in the tonsils or pharynx
• The cervical lymph nodes are swollen and painful.

For babies, this may cause them Irritability, sleep and eating disordersand produces clear or thick nasal mucus, CUN notes.

Treatment of Pharyngitis

he Treat pharyngitis Varies by reason.When the infection is of viral origin, it is a process It will go away on its own in about 4 or 5 days.

.To calm the discomfort, there are home remedies. But it’s important to understand that antibiotics should not be taken.

“Indiscriminate self-medication and non-compliance with doctor’s prescriptions can lead to treatment resistance and complications,” emphasizes Dr. Francisco Javier Cervera, an otolaryngologist at CUN.

in this case For pharyngitis caused by bacteria, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics.