When inflamed mucous membrane of the pharynx and its associated lymphoid tissue, then one speaks of pharyngitis. The name of the disease was from the Latin word "pharynx", which means "Throat."
Pharyngitis can hurt both adults and children. However, the disease is more severe in children due unformed immune system.
Among adults with chronic pharyngitis men get sick more often. It is noted that in pregnant women increases the number of cases, due to hormonal changes in their body and weakening the body's defenses.
Kinds
The disease can be non-infectious and infectious nature. A distinction is also infectious bacterial pharyngitis (strep preferably), viral and fungal origin.
Noninfectious pharyngitis may develop as a result of allergies, the actions of any physical and chemical factors or trauma.
For pharyngitis is sharp and chronic.
Chronic disease subdivided into types of structure damage to the mucosa of the pharynx:
- atrophic;
- catarrhal;
- granulosa pharyngitis.
Causes
The etiology of pharyngitis is broad and diverse. If the disease has an infectious origin, the causative agents are:
- viruses (influenza virus, adenovirus);
- bacteria (streptococci, pneumococci);
- fungi of the genus Candida.
Furthermore, pharyngitis can be a complication of several diseases of the respiratory system:
- parotitis;
- rhinitis;
- scarlet fever;
- sinusitis;
- measles;
- Other.
There pharyngitis development and in diseases, sexually transmitted diseases (syphilis, gonorrhea).
Other causes of pharyngitis include:
- a weakened immune system;
- irritation of the nose with tobacco smoke and alcohol abuse;
- inhaling too hot or cold air;
- polluted atmosphere;
- lack of vitamins;
- industrial hazard;
- fatigue, stress;
- increased physical and / or mental load;
- extremely hot or cold food;
- chronic renal disease, blood, dental caries;
- endocrine pathology;
- oropharynx foreign body injury or during surgery.
The symptoms of pharyngitis
Acute pharyngitis
The disease is in an acute form in both children and adults acquire the characteristics of 1-2 days after infection or irritants action.
notes:
- high body temperature (up to 38-40 degrees);
- signs of intoxication (lethargy, weakness, loss of appetite).
The characteristic symptoms of pharyngitis are also:
- feeling sore throat;
- pain and discomfort in the area of the throat and tonsils;
- pain when swallowing (especially when swallowing saliva);
- a feeling of "something extra" in the throat;
- dry cough, which often assumes the character of "barking", especially at night;
- watery eyes;
- in children is often a rash.
Pharyngitis in infants
It is very difficult to suspect pharyngitis in children under one year. A disease characterized by the same features that are characteristic for other diseases: poor sleep, the child is restless and naughty, refuses to eat, there is a temperature rise. On examination of the oropharynx can be seen flushing pharyngeal ulcers in the oral mucosa. On palpation of the neck defined by enlarged lymph nodes.
chronic pharyngitis
Chronic pharyngitis occurs cyclically, that is, periods of exacerbation alternating with periods of improvement.
The chronic form of the disease will never come by itself, "out of nowhere". It can either be a consequence of a long course of acute form or result in constant exposure oropharynx irritants (e.g., malignant smoking).
When catarrhal form of chronic pharyngitis patient notes:
- constant dry throat;
- burning and itching in the area of the tonsils;
- discomfort increases especially by inhalation of cold air or smoke.
On examination of the oropharynx observed:
- shiny mucosa;
- its swelling and thickening of the small;
- possible to visualize mucus in the back of the throat.
In hypertrophic form of chronic pharyngitis clinical disease similar to that described above, but on the rear wall pharynx visualized no mucus and pus accumulation, so that the patient has a bad breath mouth.
Atrophic form of chronic pharyngitis is caused by structural changes in the glandular, lymphoid and mucosal tissues of the pharynx (they gipotrofiruyutsya). On examination, pharynx visible heavily thinned and dry mucosa, which covers the dried mucus. It allocated expanded vessels, sites of hemorrhage.
Diagnostics
It should be differentiated from acute pharyngitis and laryngitis, sore throat, diphtheria.
Chronic form of pharyngitis should be distinguished from:
- a number of syndromes characteristic of neuroendocrine and autoimmune diseases;
- blood diseases (anemias);
- inflammation of the salivary glands;
- diseases of the vagus nerve.
"Pharyngitis" Diagnosis is based on patient complaints, patient visual examination and examination of the oropharynx (pharyngoscope).
In addition, it held:
- bacteriological analysis smears from the mucous membrane of the pharynx;
- general blood analysis;
- determination in the blood of antibodies to a number of infectious agents.
treatment of pharyngitis
Treatment of pharyngitis is engaged in the doctor-otolaryngologist (ENT).
First of all, it is necessary to eliminate irritants (smoke-free, alcohol, etc.). Appointed sparing diet:
- the food should be moderate temperature (15-60 degrees);
- It is removed from the diet of spicy and fried food.
In acute pharyngitis demonstrated abundant warm drink, gargling decoctions of herbs (chamomile, sage, St. John's wort) or soda solution with iodine.
If the nature of the viral disease are assigned antiviral agents orally (Arbidol, tsikloferon, interferon, and others).
In bacterial pharyngitis (Severe) inwardly displays antibiotics (sumamed, ciprofloxacin, framycetin) and topically or in the form of mouthwashes, or in the form of a sucking tablet (strepsils, Faringosept, neo-Anguilla, chlorhexidine).
Also, for local therapy using drugs with iodine (iodinol, vokadin), but in the treatment of children, they do not apply.
If there is allergic pharyngitis, requires reception of antihistamines (Claritin, Tavegilum).
Also appointed:
- Hot foot baths;
- wool (or alcohol-honey) compresses on the neck;
- steam inhalation, which in children can be replaced by a nebulizer.
acute pharyngitis treatment lasts 7-10 days.
Chronic pharyngitis requires a longer time for the treatment, therapy and it depends on the form of the disease.
For example, the shape shown in hypertrophic gargling astringent (oak bark, silver nitrate or bismuth). Atrophic pharyngitis treated regular lubrication throat Lugol glycerol, pharynx rinse "Joks" treated Protargolum throat. Immunostimulants are appointed:
- aloe extract;
- vitreous humor;
- amiksin.
If concerned about severe pain in the throat, held novocaine blockade, used analgesics.
Consequences and outlook
Untreated strep throat can become chronic. In addition, if the treatment was not completed, may develop the following complications:
- laryngitis;
- follicular tonsillitis;
- otitis;
- sinusitis;
- tracheitis and bronchitis.
The most terrible consequences of pharyngitis are neck abscess and retropharyngeal abscess.
Children pharyngitis dangerous development of laryngospasm (choking or false croup).
The prognosis of acute pharyngitis favorable chronic - depends on the form of the disease, and the neglect of the treatment process.
