Pharyngitis is inflammation of the pharynx, which can be caused either by viruses, called viral pharyngitis, or by bacteria, called bacterial pharyngitis.
Pharyngitis causes an intense sore throat, leaving it very red, and in some cases there may be a fever and small, painful lumps on the neck.
Treatment for pharyngitis must be indicated by a general practitioner or otorhinolaryngologist, and is generally done with the use of medications to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms, or the use of antibiotics for around 10 days when the cause of pharyngitis is bacterial.
Pharyngitis symptoms
The main symptom of pharyngitis is pain in the throat, which results in difficulty swallowing. Other symptoms that may be present are:
- Redness and swelling in the throat;
- Difficulty swallowing;
- Fever;
- General malaise;
- Indisposition;
- Headache;
- Hoarseness.
In the case of bacterial pharyngitis, the fever may be higher, there may be enlarged lymph nodes and the presence of purulent secretion in the throat. Learn how to recognize the symptoms of bacterial pharyngitis.
As soon as the first symptoms of pharyngitis appear, it is important to consult an otolaryngologist so that the diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment can be started.
How is the diagnosis
The diagnosis of pharyngitis can be made by a general practitioner or otorhinolaryngologist, by evaluating the signs and symptoms presented by the person, with a throat assessment normally being performed.
In addition, a throat culture is usually requested to check which microorganism may be causing the pharyngitis and, thus, be able to indicate the most appropriate treatment.
When to make an appointment
An appointment with an otorhinolaryngologist should be scheduled whenever there are intense symptoms of a throat infection, such as pain when swallowing, redness and difficulty eating, especially if they are accompanied by a fever.
If it is not possible to consult an ENT, you can also make an appointment with a general practitioner, who can initiate appropriate treatment and refer you to an ENT specialist, if necessary.
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 Rhinovirus, Coronavirus, Adenovirus, Influenza or Parainfluenza and this can happen as a consequence of a cold or flu, for example. Learn more about viral pharyngitis.
Regarding bacterial pharyngitis, the most common is streptococcal pharyngitis caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenesand it is important that it is identified quickly to prevent complications from arising.
How the treatment is carried out
The treatment of pharyngitis varies according to the symptoms and the cause, that is, whether it is viral or bacterial. However, regardless of the cause, it is important that the person rests and drinks plenty of fluids during treatment.
In the case of viral pharyngitis, the treatment indicated by the doctor usually consists of the use of painkillers and fever medication for 2 to 3 days. On the other hand, in the case of bacterial pharyngitis, treatment should be carried out with antibiotics, such as penicillin or amoxicillin, for 7 to 10 days, or according to the doctor’s instructions. In the case of people who are allergic to penicillin and derivatives, the doctor may recommend the use of erythromycin.
It is essential that the treatment is followed in accordance with medical advice, even if an improvement in symptoms was noticed before the end of the recommended treatment, as this ensures the elimination of the agent responsible for pharyngitis.
Bibliography
- CDC. Pharyngitis (Strep Throat). Available at: <https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-hcp/strep-throat.html>. Accessed on 11 December 2019
- HARVARD HEALTH PUBLISHING. Sore Throat (Pharyngitis). Available at: <https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/sore-throat-pharyngitis-a-to-z>. Accessed on 11 December 2019
