Pharyngitis causes an inflammation in the throat and can be caused by both viruses, in the case of pharyngitis, and by bacteria, called bacterial pharyngitis. This inflammation causes an intense sore throat, making it very red, and in some cases there may be a fever and small sore 'little' sores may appear on the neck.
The treatment for pharyngitis may be indicated by the general practitioner or otorhinolaryngologist and is usually done with the intake of antibiotic medications for up to 10 days.
During the treatment the person has to take care of the food avoiding very hot or cold foods and also must avoid to speak because even this can annoy the throat, provoking cough that can aggravate the discomfort.
If you want to know about pharyngitis in childhood, read: Pharyngitis in baby.
Symptoms of pharyngitis
Symptoms of pharyngitis include:
- Sore throat;
- Redness and swelling in the throat;
- Difficulty in swallowing;
- Fever;
- Increased girth.
With the onset of symptoms, it is important to consult the otolaryngologist for the diagnosis and indication of the treatment.
To know more details of each type, see:
- Symptoms of viral pharyngitis
- Symptoms of bacterial pharyngitis
Causes of Pharyngitis
The causes of pharyngitis are related to the microorganisms that cause it. In case of viral pharyngitis, the causative viruses can be Rhinoviruses, Coronavirus, Adenovirus, Influenza or Parainfluenza.
In relation to pharyngitis bacterin, the most frequent is streptococcal pharyngitis caused by the bacterium Streptococcus Beta-hemolytic, but other causative bacteria can be Pneumococos, Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus or Haemophilus influenzae.
These microorganisms can be acquired through contact with the secretions of a contaminated individual.
Treatment for pharyngitis
The treatment for pharyngitis involves the ingestion of medications indicated by the doctor, rest, good hydration and protection against cold.
In the case of viral pharyngitis, the drug treatment is done with analgesics and fever remedies for 2 or 3 days. In the case of bacterial pharyngitis, the treatment is done with antibiotics such as Penicillin or Azithromycin for 7 to 10 days.
