Types of sore throat in children and adults: symptoms, what the throat looks like, treatment
The content of the article:
- Causes of sore throat
-
Varieties of angina
- Catarrhal
- Follicular
- Lacunar
- Phlegmonous
- Ulcerative membranous
-
Secondary tonsillitis
- Angina with diphtheria
- Angina with scarlet fever
- Monocytic angina
- Sore throat with flu
- Treatment
- Video
The types of angina in children and adults are practically the same. The main symptom of the disease is a sore throat when swallowing or talking.
The symptoms of sore throat depend on its form
Angina, or acute tonsillitis, is an infectious disease in which the inflammatory process occurs in the area of the pharyngeal ring. In most cases, the pharyngeal tonsils are affected. The term "angina" has been known since antiquity, almost all changes in the oropharynx area that have common features are associated with it.
Angina is considered one of the most common diseases of the upper respiratory tract. The peak of the pathology occurs in autumn and spring. In most cases, children and young people who are less than 35 years old suffer from angina.
What is angina? The disease is classified as follows:
- primary tonsillitis, in which only the lymphoid ring of the pharynx is affected;
- secondary tonsillitis (symptomatic). Inflammation of the tonsils occurs due to blood diseases (agranulocytosis, leukemia) or infectious diseases (diphtheria, scarlet fever or infectious mononucleosis);
- specific tonsillitis. The causative agent is a specific infection (fungal).
Causes of sore throat
The most common cause of inflammation in the tonsils is a bacterium - group A β-hemolytic streptococcus. It can enter the body from the external environment or move from foci of chronic inflammation (for example, carious teeth).
The most common cause of bacterial sore throat is group A β-hemolytic streptococcus
A person with a sore throat, while talking or coughing, releases a large number of bacteria into the environment, so it often becomes a source of infection. Also, pathogenic microorganisms can be transmitted by contact or through food.
Less commonly, viruses (coronaviruses, adenoviruses, herpes virus), fungi or protozoa become the cause of tonsillitis.
There are certain factors that affect the development of different types of angina, such as:
- reduced immunity as a result of chronic diseases or a lack of vitamins and minerals;
- hypothermia of the body;
- living in ecologically unfavorable areas;
- work in dusty or gas-polluted rooms.
Varieties of angina
Depending on how deeply the tonsils are affected, the following types of angina are distinguished in adults and children:
- catarrhal;
- follicular;
- lacunar;
- phlegmonous;
- ulcerative membranous.
Catarrhal, follicular and lacunar forms can be different stages of the same disease.
To determine the form of sore throat and prescribe adequate treatment, you need to consult an ENT specialist
In terms of severity, the disease is classified as follows:
- easy;
- medium-heavy;
- heavy.
Catarrhal
Catarrhal sore throat is the mildest form of the disease. With the right treatment, her symptoms can disappear within 2-5 days. It develops quickly enough, the first signs may appear 5-7 hours after infection.
The patient has a burning sensation in the throat, perspiration, dry mucous membranes and pain when swallowing. The palatine tonsils swell and increase in size, their color becomes bright red. Body temperature can rise to 37–39 ° C. In some cases, regional lymph nodes are enlarged. Moreover, they are practically painless, which is determined by palpation.
In the catarrhal form of angina, the regional lymph nodes are enlarged, but they are painless
Catarrhal sore throat differs from other types of the disease in the absence of purulent plaque and dryness of the mucous epithelium.
Follicular
With follicular angina, deep damage to the lymphoid tissue of the tonsils occurs. With timely treatment, the disease can be dealt with in 6–8 days. At the initial stage of the disease, the patient develops signs of catarrhal sore throat: redness and swelling of the mucous membranes, sore throat.
Then the patient's condition deteriorates sharply, lethargy and chills appear, the body temperature rises to 39-40 ° C. The sore throat becomes pronounced, does not depend on the act of swallowing and in some cases gives to the ears. The painful sensations can be so strong that the patient refuses to eat.
The palatine tonsils as a result of edema increase in size. Purulent follicles appear on their surface, which look like white-yellow dots. They are located separately and are not prone to draining. What the throat looks like can be seen in the photo during pharyngoscopy.
The patient has enlarged regional lymph nodes. However, they can be painful.
In children, the symptoms are more pronounced. Confusion and vomiting may occur against a background of elevated body temperature. In severe cases, follicular tonsillitis is accompanied by pain in the joints and muscles.
Lacunar
This form of the disease is very difficult. It differs from other types of tonsillitis by the presence of foci of purulent inflammation, which merge and form a white-yellow plaque on the surface of the tonsils. The fibrinous film spreads to the area of the lacunae, which are filled with purulent contents.
With lacunar angina, body temperature may rise to 40 ° C
The patient's body temperature can rise up to 40 ° C. There are pronounced symptoms of intoxication, lethargy, drowsiness. At the initial stage, there is a feeling of dryness and sore throat, later on, there is strong pain.
With proper treatment, the symptoms of lacunar sore throat disappear within 7-8 days. With the development of complications, therapy is delayed.
The consequence of untreated lacunar angina is its fibrinous form. In addition to the main symptoms, a white-yellow plaque forms on the mucous membrane of the tonsils within a few hours after the onset of the disease. The disease is characterized by severe hyperthermia, chills, fever and headache.
Phlegmonous
With phlegmonous tonsillitis, a purulent melt of tonsil tissues occurs. Most often, the process takes place on one side. The amygdala increases in size, its surface becomes tense. The inflammatory process is accompanied by severe pain when swallowing saliva or talking. To relieve pain, the patient is forced to tilt his head to the affected side.
In addition, the patient has general signs of intoxication, a headache occurs, the body temperature rises and the regional lymph nodes become inflamed. Unlike other forms of the disease, phlegmonous tonsillitis is rare.
Ulcerative membranous
Most often, the disease affects one side and begins with unpleasant sensations when swallowing, which later turn into rather intense pain. The patient has a subfebrile body temperature. On the tonsils, a round yellowish-white or gray film is found, surrounded by an inflamed rim.
For the ulcerative-membranous form of pathology, the presence of a putrid odor from the mouth is characteristic
The film can be easily removed. Under it there is a bleeding ulcerated surface of yellowish color with clear edges. Initially, the ulcer is superficial, and if you do not start treatment on time, it becomes deep.
Regional lymph nodes are enlarged, but practically painless. The patient develops a putrid odor from the mouth. Under favorable conditions, recovery occurs within 7-14 days.
Secondary tonsillitis
Some types of tonsillitis develop against the background of other infectious diseases. Sore throat, swelling and enlargement of the tonsils are complemented by other symptoms characteristic of the disease.
Angina with diphtheria
The causative agent of this type of sore throat is a diphtheria bacillus. At the site of the introduction of the pathogen, as a result of inflammation, a dense film appears. The vocal cords are most often affected, and sometimes the palatine tonsils. In addition to general symptoms, a patient with diphtheria has:
- suffocating cough;
- respiratory failure;
- dyspnea;
- symptoms indicating damage to the nervous system.
The prognosis is poor, the disease is difficult to treat and in some cases is fatal.
Angina with scarlet fever
The causative agent of the disease is hemolytic streptococcus. Signs of scarlet fever include:
- gray, purulent plaque on the tonsils, which can spread to the arch, uvula and soft palate. Unlike plaque that occurs with diphtheria, it can be easily removed;
- small rashes and peeling of the skin that do not affect the nasolabial triangle;
- raspberry tongue;
- high body temperature (up to 40 ° C).
Monocytic angina
The causative agent of infectious mononucleosis is the Epstein-Barr virus, which is transmitted from a sick person by airborne droplets. In addition to a sore throat, the patient has:
- catarrhal tracheobronchitis;
- dizziness and headaches;
- pain in muscles and joints;
- inflammation of the lymph nodes;
- enlargement of the spleen or liver.
Sore throat with flu
The disease develops as a result of infection with the influenza virus, which is transmitted by airborne droplets. In addition to signs of angina, the patient has a runny nose and conjunctivitis.
Treatment
Almost all types of angina are treated with antibiotics:
- penicillins (Benzylpenicillin, Augmentin, Amoxiclav);
- macrolides (Clarithromycin, Azithromycin);
- cephalosporins (Emsef, Ceftriaxone, Cefutil).
In milder forms of the disease, drugs are used in the form of tablets or suspensions, and in severe cases, antibiotics are used in the form of intramuscular or intravenous injections.
In addition to the main treatment, they are prescribed:
- antihistamines. They reduce the swelling of the mucous membrane and prevent the development of an allergic reaction to antibiotics;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (based on nimesulide or ibuprofen). These medications help to cope with fever and have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. They also help to eliminate pain in joints and muscles and body aches;
- antiseptics. These include lozenges, lozenges, lozenges, and sprays to relieve sore throat and have a local effect on inflammation.
Furacilin solution can be used to rinse the throat.
In the complex treatment of various forms of angina, rinses are used, which can alleviate the patient's condition. For gargling, use:
- furacilin solution. For its preparation, 1 tablet of the drug is dissolved in 100 ml of boiling water. Rinsing is carried out 3-4 times a day;
- potassium permanganate solution. A small amount of the product is dissolved in warm water until a light pink solution is obtained. Gargle 2-3 times a day;
- soda-salt solution. In 200 ml of warm water, dissolve half a teaspoon of soda and salt, add 2 drops of iodine, rinse the throat 4 times a day;
- infusion of medicinal plants. A pinch of chamomile or calendula flowers is poured with boiling water and insisted for 40 minutes. The procedure is carried out up to 6 times a day.
To reduce the risk of complications, bed rest is recommended.
A patient with tonsillitis needs bed rest. Limit physical activity. In order not to injure the inflamed mucous membrane, the food must be liquid, it must be taken in small portions 5 times a day. It is not recommended to consume food or drinks that are too hot or too cold. To reduce intoxication, you must drink plenty of fluids.
Regardless of the type of angina, the disease can cause serious complications that require long-term and expensive treatment. Therefore, at the first sign of tonsillitis, you should consult an otolaryngologist.
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Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author
Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".
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