Purulent tonsillitis: treatment, symptoms, consequences
The content of the article:
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Symptoms of purulent tonsillitis
- A sore throat
- Pus
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Increased body temperature
- Common symptoms
- Symptoms of catarrhal follicular and lacunar sore throat
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Purulent tonsillitis treatment
Features of the treatment of tonsillitis at home
- Effects
- Video
Purulent tonsillitis, or purulent tonsillitis, is an infectious disease, the main symptom of which is the defeat of the tonsils. Most often, pathology occurs in children and adults under the age of 40. The peak of the disease occurs in the cold season, since hypothermia is a predisposing factor.
Purulent tonsillitis affecting the tonsils can occur in both children and adults
For the treatment of purulent tonsillitis, antibiotics are prescribed, since the cause of the disease is almost always bacteria, most often staphylococcus, streptococcus or pneumococcus.
The infection usually enters the body by airborne droplets or by contact. Infection is facilitated by viral diseases, weakening of the immune system, hypothermia or chronic diseases.
Symptoms of purulent tonsillitis
Symptoms of pathology develop gradually. The incubation period can last from 12 to 48 hours. In this case, the patient develops both specific signs of the disease and local symptoms.
A sore throat
At the initial stage of the disease, the pain syndrome is not so pronounced. The patient has a sensation of a lump in the throat, which is aggravated by swallowing saliva or food. In the future, along with the development of the inflammatory process, redness of the mucous membrane occurs, the tonsils increase in size, the pain intensifies and can be given to the ears.
As a rule, the disease begins with a mild sore throat.
Food or drink that is solid, cold, or too hot can cause increased pain. In some cases, they become so pronounced that the patient refuses to eat.
Pus
Under normal conditions, a person's mouth contains a large number of bacteria that are destroyed by the immune system. Together with desquamated epithelial cells and leukocytes, they are released into the oral cavity, and then, together with saliva, are swallowed and dissolved in gastric juice, without having any effect on the body.
The inflammatory process that develops when an infection enters, leads to the expansion of blood vessels, the release of a large number of leukocytes into the focus of inflammation and edema of the mucous membrane of the tonsils. As a result, the lacunae cleansing mechanism is disrupted and pus is formed.
The appearance of pus on the tonsils is due to a violation of the mechanism of their cleansing
If you do not start treatment, the inflammation goes deep into the tonsils, contributing to their destruction. Pus on the tonsils and in the area of lacunae can be seen with the naked eye even in the photo.
Swollen lymph nodes
Lymph nodes perform a protective function, being a barrier to the lymph path. Protecting the body from pathogens, they increase in size.
For purulent tonsillitis, an increase in lymph nodes is characteristic
At the initial stage of the disease, they are soft, and later they become denser. In this case, pain occurs in the area of the lymph nodes. With intense inflammation, the pain can be quite severe.
Increased body temperature
Angina rarely proceeds without temperature. When leukocytes and toxin interact, pyrogens (substances that are responsible for body temperature during illness) are released. They affect the thermoregulatory center in the brain. High body temperature slows down the growth of bacteria and helps to eliminate the toxin from the body.
The immune system tends to balance the temperature balance by increasing the production of sweat, which cools the surface layers of the skin, resulting in chills.
Common symptoms
The general symptoms of the disease include weakness, fatigue, dizziness, headache, and drowsiness. The stronger the intoxication, the more pronounced the general signs of tonsillitis. Patients with the disability may experience joint and muscle pain and back pain.
Symptoms of catarrhal follicular and lacunar sore throat
In fact, these are different stages of the same disease. First, a sore throat appears, the tonsils swell, and their mucous membrane turns red. Against the background of increased pain syndrome, the submandibular and cervical lymph nodes increase.
Then on the surface of the tonsils appear yellow-white bubbles (purulent follicles). For lacunar sore throat, purulent plugs in the folds of lymphoid tissue (lacunae) are characteristic. At the same time, the patient can observe both the follicular and lacunar forms.
Purulent tonsillitis treatment
How is purulent tonsillitis treated? Since bacteria are the causative agent of the disease, antibiotics are necessary. It is best to do a bacterial culture to identify the pathogen and determine its sensitivity to antibacterial drugs, but this study is long.
To determine the causative agent of the disease, a bacterial culture from the pharynx is prescribed
For the treatment of the disease, antibiotics of a wide spectrum of action are prescribed:
- penicillins (Benzylpenicillin, Augmentin, Amoxiclav, Amoxicillin, Amoxil);
- cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone, Cefazolin, Cefpotec, Cefuroxime);
- macrolides (Clarithromycin, Erythromycin, Azithromycin).
The dosage and form of release of the drug depends on the patient's age, body weight and stage of the infectious process. The duration of taking antibiotics from the penicillin group for purulent tonsillitis is 7-10 days, macrolides or cephalosporins are prescribed for 5-7 days.
Purulent tonsillitis in children under 6 years of age is treated with antibiotics in the form of a suspension. In severe forms of the disease, as in adults, injectable forms of drugs are used.
In the complex therapy of the disease, in addition to antibiotics, they are prescribed:
- antihistamines (Suprastin, Loratadin, Erius, Tsetrin). Allow to reduce edema and prevent the development of allergic reactions to antibiotics;
- probiotics (Enterojermina, Probiz, Laktiale, Linex). Promote the restoration of microflora in the intestines and strengthen the immune system;
- antifungal agents (Fluconazole, Futsis). Prevent the development of candidiasis while taking antibiotics;
- immunostimulants (tincture or tablets of echinacea). They help to strengthen the immune system, help the body fight the disease;
- vitamins (Vitrum, Supradin). They have a positive effect on the state of the body, help to strengthen the immune system;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Nimesulide). They have an antipyretic effect, can reduce pain, eliminate body aches and pain in joints and muscles, and also affect the inflammatory process.
In order to reduce pain in the throat and eliminate inflammation, antiseptics are used in the form of lozenges (Faringosept), lozenges (Strepsils, Septolete, Lisobakt), sprays (Tantum Verde, Cameton). They may include: chlorhexidine, amylmetacresol, benzalkonium chloride, lidocaine, benzocaine, and plant extracts.
Beet juice can be used to gargle the throat.
In complex treatment, the following throat gargles are used:
- soda, salt and iodine. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt and soda in 200 ml of warm water, add a few drops of iodine and use it to gargle. The procedure is carried out three times a day;
- beet juice. Table beets are rubbed on a fine grater, and with the help of gauze, squeeze the juice out of it. 50 ml of the prepared juice is diluted with 150 ml of warm boiled water and gargle every 3 hours. Treatment is continued until symptoms stop;
- tincture of propolis. In order to prepare propolis tincture at home, 30 g of the substance is crushed and filled with 100 ml of alcohol. After it has been infused for a week, you can use it to gargle by adding a teaspoon of the tincture to a glass of warm water. The recommended frequency of the procedure is three times a day. The finished tincture can be stored for up to two years.
Features of the treatment of tonsillitis at home
In order for the body to cope with the disease faster, it is necessary:
- observe bed rest, refuse to exercise;
- drink enough liquid (at least two liters per day). It can be teas, fruit drinks, still water. Alcohol, coffee and soda must be avoided. In order for the liquid to be well absorbed, it must be warm (but not hot);
- eat food in small portions, up to five times a day. Preference should be given to soups and mashed potatoes.
Compresses are applied at high body temperature
At a high body temperature (above 38 ° C) and a deterioration in health, you can use compresses or wipe the body with water at room temperature (too cold water can cause vasospasm).
Effects
With untimely or inadequate treatment, the disease quickly becomes chronic. Periodically, the disease worsens. In severe cases, relapse occurs every three months, giving the patient discomfort. At the same time, the chronic form of tonsillitis is a constant source of infection, which, together with blood or lymph, can move, causing a pathological process in other organs.
Possible complications:
- myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle, resulting in impaired heart function);
- pyelonephritis (inflammation of the kidneys);
- rheumatism (a disease of the musculoskeletal system, in which the joints are affected);
- orchitis (inflammation of the testicles in men).
Purulent sore throat is a serious disease, the fight against which must be started at an early stage. With proper and timely treatment, recovery occurs within a week. But if, despite the ongoing therapy, the condition worsens, you should immediately seek help from a doctor.
Video
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Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author
Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".
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