Pharyngotonsillitis is inflammation of the pharynx and tonsils that can cause symptoms such as pain, redness and/or white plaques in the throat, discomfort when swallowing, painful lumps in the neck or fever.
Most of the time, pharyngotonsillitis is caused by an infection with the same viruses that cause colds or flu, but it can also be caused by bacteria, which can be more serious in this case.
If pharyngotonsillitis is suspected, it is recommended to consult a general practitioner. Treatment depends on the cause of the infection, and may involve the use of medications, such as antibiotics and/or painkillers, and measures such as gargling.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of pharyngotonsillitis are:
- Pain and/or redness in the throat;
- Swelling in the tonsil region;
- Discomfort when swallowing;
- Nausea and/or vomiting;
- White spots or plaques in the throat and/or tonsils;
- Fever above 37.2ºC;
- Lumps in the neck.
Pharyngotonsillitis usually starts suddenly and the first symptoms to appear are redness in the throat and swelling in the neck, which can cause pain when the region is touched.
Especially in cases of bacterial pharyngotonsillitis, the fever can be higher than 38ºC. Furthermore, symptoms such as cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, hoarseness or diarrhea are usually absent in these cases.
Read too: Bacterial tonsillitis: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of pharyngotonsillitis is made by a general practitioner or, in the case of children, a pediatrician based on the symptoms presented and examination of the oral cavity, which can see changes such as redness and white dots on the tonsils.
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In some cases, the doctor may also recommend tests, such as a rapid test to detect the most common bacteria or a culture of oropharyngeal secretions, to confirm the cause of pharyngotonsillitis and indicate the most appropriate treatment.
Possible causes
The main cause of pharyngotonsillitis is infection of the pharynx and tonsils by viruses such as rhinovirus, adenovirus or coronavirus, but it can also be caused by bacterial infections, with the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes the most common.
How the treatment is carried out
In most cases, treatment for bacterial pharyngotonsillitis involves the use of antibiotics, such as oral amoxicillin for 7 to 10 days or a single dose of benzathine penicillin injection, according to medical advice.
However, in cases where pharyngotonsillitis has caused the formation of an abscess, treatment may need to be carried out with the person admitted to hospital and involve the use of antibiotics directly into the vein and, sometimes, surgery to drain the pus.
In cases of viral pharyngotonsillitis, treatment usually involves only the use of analgesic medications, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, and measures such as gargling with warm water and salt to alleviate symptoms.
Read too: 10 home remedies for sore throat
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Bibliography
- ALBERT EINSTEIN. Pharyngotonsillitis in Adults. 2022. Available at: <https://medicalsuite.einstein.br/pratica-medica/Pathways/Faringoamigdalite-em-adultos.pdf>. Accessed on January 30, 2024
- STATPEARLS. Pharyngitis. 2023. Available at: <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519550/>. Accessed on January 30, 2024
- BROOK, Itzhak. Pharyngotonsillitis. In: Clinical Infectious Disease. Cambridge University Press, 2015. 33-41.
- ADAM, Mosab HM et al. Diagnosis and management of acute pharyngotonsillitis among pediatric patients at Ribat Teaching Hospital: a prospective audit (2021-2022). Sudan J Paediatr. Vol.23, n.1. 4–12, 2023
