Sore throat with pus: what it could be (and what to do)

The presence of pus in the throat is a relatively common change, which is related to the development of a throat infection, whether caused by viruses or bacteria, as happens in cases of mononucleosis or bacterial tonsillitis. Normally, this type of infection is also accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, excessive tiredness and general malaise.

Ideally, the presence of pus in the throat should be evaluated by a general practitioner or ENT as soon as possible, to try to identify the cause and initiate the most appropriate treatment, which can only be done with anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, in this case. of a viral infection, or include the use of an antibiotic, such as amoxicillin, in the case of a bacterial infection. Learn more about the causes of pus in the throat.

The pus that appears in the throat should not be removed with a finger or cotton swab, as it will continue to form until the inflammation improves, and doing so may even form new lesions, worsening the pain and facilitating the worsening of the infection. However, if there are yellow or whitish balls on the tonsils, without other symptoms, it may just be a sign of caseum, which can be removed. Understand better what caseum is and how it is treated.

Main causes

The main causes of pus in the throat are:

1. Viral infections

Some virus infections can cause the presence of pus in the throat, as is the case with:

• Viruses that cause colds, such as rhinovirus and adenovirus;
• Influenza viruses, such as Influenza A or B;
• Respiratory syncytial virus;
• Epstein-Barr virus, which is responsible for mononucleosis.

Less frequently, infection with the HIV virus and the measles virus can also cause pus in the throat.

2. Bacterial infections

Pus in the throat due to bacteria occurs mainly due to Streptococcus pyogenes, which is naturally present in the throat and can proliferate when the immune system is more weakened or be transmitted from one person to another. See more about S. pyogenes.

Infection with this bacteria can affect the pharynx or tonsil, mainly causing bacterial tonsillitis.

How to confirm the cause

To confirm the cause of pus in the throat, it is important that the general practitioner or otorhinolaryngologist evaluates the symptoms presented by the person, in addition to requesting a serological examination, blood test and analysis of a sample of secretion collected from the throat. This way, it is possible to check whether the appearance of pus is due to viruses or bacteria and indicate the most appropriate treatment.

I made an appointment with the nearest doctor to identify the cause of the pus in my throat and thus begin the best treatment:

What to do to treat a pus throat

To treat the presence of pus in the throat, it is very important to consult a general practitioner or an ENT specialist, who will identify the cause of the infection and initiate the most appropriate treatment. Treatment can be done with:

1. Medicines

The main medications that may be recommended by your doctor are:

• Anti-inflammatoriessuch as ibuprofen or nimesulide: reduce throat inflammation and reduce fever, relieving pain, discomfort and difficulty swallowing;
• Corticosteroidssuch as prednisone or dexamethasone: they are used more rarely, when anti-inflammatories cannot relieve inflammation or there is a lot of pain in the throat;
• Antibioticssuch as benzetacil, amoxicillin or azithromycin: they are only used in cases of bacterial infection, to eliminate the bacteria that cause the infection.

In some cases, the infection can form an abscess in the tonsils, and when this happens, the doctor must drain the accumulated pus. See what a tonsil abscess is and how to treat it.

2. Home Treatment Options

Home treatment can be used in all cases of sore throat, but should not replace the treatment recommended by the doctor, serving only to speed up recovery and/or alleviate symptoms. Some home remedy options are:

• Gargle with warm water and salt or warm water and propolis;
• Ginger tea with honey;
• Grapefruit juice. Ideally, grapefruit juice should not be used if you are already taking any medication prescribed by your doctor, as it may reduce the effectiveness of the medication.

This type of treatment can be done as soon as the throat starts to become inflamed, to prevent it from getting worse, or in conjunction with medications prescribed by the doctor, with the exception of grapefruit juice. Check out other recipes for home remedies for your throat.

Throughout the treatment, it is also important to rest and drink plenty of fluids to help the body recover.