Viral pharyngitis: symptoms, causes, treatment in adults and children
The content of the article:
- Causes of the disease
-
Viral pharyngitis symptoms
Viral pharyngitis in children
- How to treat viral pharyngitis
- Prevention
- Video
Viral pharyngitis is an infectious form of the disease. Symptoms of the disease appear brightly and can affect the general condition, despite the absence of an increased body temperature. There is no specific therapy, and antibiotics are not required. In uncomplicated cases, symptomatic treatment is usually prescribed.
Symptoms of viral pharyngitis usually develop abruptly and appear in the initial stages with a sore throat
Viral pharyngitis is an inflammation that develops in the mucous membrane and lymphoid tissue of the pharynx as a result of a viral infection entering the body, which can be seen in the photo. How to distinguish from bacterial pharyngitis? It is quite difficult to do this during examination, since visually most of the signs practically coincide. The bacterial form of the disease is characterized by an increase in body temperature. It should also be borne in mind that viral infection is often the first phase of the disease, and in the future it acts as the main initiating factor in the attachment of a bacterial pathogen.
Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the lining of the pharynx
Acute pharyngitis is rarely an independent disease, in most cases it is combined with an inflammatory process in the upper respiratory tract - acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI), influenza, etc.
An isolated lesion of the pharynx occurs only when certain stimuli (cold food or drinks, alcohol, smoking) are directly exposed to this area. In some cases, inhalation of cold air or prolonged conversation in the cold can provoke the disease.
Causes of the disease
Possible causative agents of the viral form of pharyngitis:
- rhinoviruses;
- adenoviruses;
- coronaviruses;
- simple flu virus;
- parainfluenza virus;
- rotaviruses;
- herpes simplex or genital herpes virus;
- respiratory syncytial virus;
- varicella virus - Zoster;
- Epstein-Barr virus;
- cytomegalovirus;
- papillomavirus.
One of the most common causative agents of the disease is the flu virus
Infection can occur in several ways:
- airborne: infection in this way occurs most often. Pathogenic microorganisms are released when coughing, sneezing or talking and, getting on the mucous membranes of a healthy person, cause infection;
- contact-household: some viruses can live on the surfaces of objects, so infection can occur upon contact with them;
- descending: the infection descends from the nose to the pharynx;
- perinatal or birth: The baby can get an infection through the placenta or passing through the birth canal.
The following factors influence the development of the disease:
- frequent and / or long-term use of antibiotics;
- hypothermia;
- violation of the immune system;
- alcohol abuse, smoking;
- stress;
- heavy physical activity;
- diabetes;
- hypothyroidism;
- insufficient care of the oral cavity;
- the presence of dental diseases;
- living in an environmentally unfavorable environment.
Viral pharyngitis symptoms
Signs of the viral form of the disease include:
- sore throat, which appears at the initial stage of the disease;
- a feeling of dryness of the mucous membranes of the pharynx, further painful sensations appear, which intensify when swallowing, while talking or eating. Unlike sore throat, with pharyngitis, pain occurs when saliva is swallowed, not food;
- the appearance of a dry cough, which at the stage of recovery turns into a wet one and can be supplemented by a runny nose;
- increased body temperature;
- deterioration in general condition, drowsiness, weakness;
- violation of appetite.
In severe forms of the disease, muscle pain may occur. With inflammation of the tubopharyngeal ridges, the pain radiates to the ears. In some cases, the cervical lymph nodes may enlarge, and pain occurs on palpation in this area.
Pharyngitis symptoms improve by 3–4 days. Full recovery is observed within a week. If during this period the signs of the disease do not disappear or intensify, this may indicate the addition of a bacterial infection.
Viral pharyngitis in children
In children, the viral form of the disease is observed very often. Since the disease is transmitted by airborne droplets, epidemic outbreaks often occur in kindergartens and schools.
Possible complications of pharyngitis: otitis media, tonsillitis, bronchitis or pneumonia. Children with adenoids, bronchial asthma or allergic rhinitis are most susceptible to this.
If a child complains of a sore throat, it is important to exclude the development of tonsillitis (sore throat), since its causative agent is streptococcus, which can cause myocarditis.
Pharyngitis in children can be a sign of scarlet fever or measles, so it is important to consult an otolaryngologist in a timely manner.
How to treat viral pharyngitis
There is no specific treatment for the viral form of the disease. In uncomplicated cases, symptomatic therapy is sufficient.
Often, as part of a comprehensive treatment, throat sprays with an antiseptic are prescribed.
Given the fact that viruses are the cause of the inflammatory process, antibiotic treatment is not required. Their use is not only ineffective, but also dangerous, as there is a risk of side effects. Also, pathogenic microorganisms can lose sensitivity to the active ingredient of the drug. The uncontrolled use of antibacterial agents negatively affects the human immune system, which interferes with the fight against viruses.
The disease does not pose a particular danger and, with proper therapy, is completely cured within a week. For this, it is necessary to ensure the correct conditions in the room where the patient is. The air should be humid, its temperature should not exceed 22 ° C. It is necessary to regularly ventilate the room and carry out wet cleaning in it.
In the room where the patient is located, you need to regularly wet cleaning
The patient should not freeze, as this can worsen the course of the disease. Therefore, it is recommended to dress warmly and additionally warm your throat before going outside in winter.
The patient needs to drink plenty of fluids. The liquid and food should not be too hot or cold. Since the irritated mucous membrane of the pharynx is very sensitive, exclude salty, spicy and acidic foods or drinks. The basis of the diet should be soup, mashed potatoes or jelly. For drinking, use tea, rosehip broth, dried fruit compote.
Lozenges / lozenges with anesthetics, throat sprays or gargles are used to relieve sore throat. If pharyngitis has arisen against the background of ARVI or influenza, the use of antiviral agents (Groprinosin, Novirin, Lavomax) is effective in complex treatment.
With an increase in body temperature, drugs based on paracetamol or ibuprofen are prescribed. For the treatment of viral pharyngitis in adults, you can use drugs based on nimesulide, which can reduce the severity of pain.
With pharyngitis, gargling with decoctions of herbs, in particular chamomile, is effective
In order to quickly reduce inflammation, you can gargle with infusions of calendula, chamomile or sage. For its preparation, one teaspoon of dry raw materials is poured with boiling water, and after the agent has cooled to a comfortable temperature, it is filtered. Apply in the morning and in the evening until the symptoms disappear completely.
Honey is also used in complex treatment. It is a good antiseptic and allows the body to cope with the disease faster. It is enough to take a small amount of honey and keep it in your mouth until it is completely dissolved. It can also be mixed with butter.
In the case of adequate therapy, complications occur very rarely.
Prevention
In order to prevent infection, you must:
- follow the rules of personal hygiene, often wash your hands or treat them with disinfectants;
- strengthen the immune system, eat right and exercise;
- to refuse from bad habits.
As a preventive measure, it is important to wash your hands frequently.
If one of the family members is sick with pharyngitis, it is recommended to minimize contact with him, as well as to allocate separate dishes and a towel to exclude the contact-household route of infection.
Video
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Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author
Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".
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