Bacterial tonsillitis: treatment, symptoms, complications
The content of the article:
- The reasons for the development of pathology
- Bacterial tonsillitis symptoms
- Diagnostics
- Bacterial tonsillitis treatment
- Complications
- Video
Bacterial tonsillitis, or tonsillitis, is an acute infectious disease in which the lymphadenoid pharyngeal ring, mainly the palatine tonsils, is exposed to bacterial damage.
To diagnose and prescribe therapy, you must consult a doctor
The treatment of bacterial tonsillitis must be taken very seriously and the solution must be taken comprehensively, since the incidence of complications in this disease remains at a high level. This is due to the increase in bacterial virulence and the development of resistance of many strains to antibiotics.
The reasons for the development of pathology
An important role in the occurrence of this ailment is played by a decrease in immunity, a change in the flora of the oral cavity towards an increase in the number of pathogenic bacteria, the presence of chronic foci of infections in the body, and concomitant somatic diseases.
The most common cause of the bacterial form of tonsillitis is pyogenic streptococcus
What bacteria cause sore throat in children and adults? The most common causative agent of sore throat is group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, or pyogenic streptococcus. Less commonly, the pathology is caused by streptococci of groups C, D and G, arcanobacteria, corynebacteria, anaerobes, spirochetes, mycoplasmas, chlamydia.
The transmission of pyogenic streptococcus occurs by airborne droplets. Sick or asymptomatic carriers are the source of infection. The highest incidence is observed in the winter-spring period against the background of vitamin deficiency and decreased immunity.
Bacterial tonsillitis symptoms
The main symptoms of the disease: sore throat, fever above 38.0 ° C, weakness, headache, loss of appetite, bad breath.
Less often, streptococcal tonsillitis can occur with an erased clinical picture: the patient's general condition is satisfactory, body temperature is normal or subfebrile (37.1–38.0 ° C), a slight sore throat.
Diagnostics
To diagnose inflammation of the tonsils, the doctor conducts an examination, pharyngoscopy, determines the list of necessary laboratory tests.
An examination and pharyngoscopy are performed to make a diagnosis
With pharyngoscopy, a specialist examines the mucous membrane of the throat using a special mirror. The photo clearly shows that with angina, there is a bright hyperemia and swelling of the tonsils, which does not go beyond the anterior arches. The surface of the tonsils is covered with a purulent bloom. Exudate can also be in the lacunae in the form of microabscesses, translucent through the mucous membrane.
With streptococcal angina, hyperemia of the posterior pharyngeal wall is determined. The soft and hard palate may have areas of hemorrhage in the mucous membrane (hemorrhages).
On examination, there is an increase and soreness of regional lymph nodes, most often there is a one-sided change in the submandibular lymph nodes.
C-reactive protein can be detected in the blood
In the clinical analysis of blood, leukocytosis is determined, a shift of the leukocyte formula to the left, i.e. an increase in the number of neutrophils. An increase in ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) is also noted. In the blood serum, C-reactive protein is determined.
In the general analysis of urine, there may be traces of protein.
To detect streptococcal infection, an express test is performed, which is widely used due to its accuracy (up to 98%) and speed of obtaining a result (5-10 minutes).
To further confirm or clarify the causative agent of bacterial sore throat, material is taken from the surface of the tonsils and the posterior pharyngeal wall for bacteriological inoculation, followed by determination of antibacterial sensitivity.
If necessary, the doctor prescribes electrocardiography
In addition to the basic diagnostic methods, the doctor can additionally send for electrocardiography, ultrasound examination of the kidneys, consultation of related specialists.
Bacterial tonsillitis treatment
It is recommended to consult a doctor - therapist, pediatrician or otolaryngologist early. Most often, the general condition of the patient is of moderate severity and does not always require therapy in a hospital setting.
When carrying out therapy at home, it is necessary to observe bed rest and follow the doctor's prescriptions
Treatment of bacterial tonsillitis at home should be carried out only after consulting a doctor, following his recommendations.
With angina, bed rest, dairy-vegetable, fortified food and plenty of drink are shown. Sour, spicy, hot, cold food and drinks that can irritate mucous membranes are excluded.
It is very important to maintain water balance, in particular at high body temperatures and severe intoxication.
How to treat one or another form of sore throat will depend on the alleged causative agent of the disease.
Drug therapy for bacterial sore throat includes systemic antibiotics, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs, local therapy in the form of gargling and antiseptic throat treatment.
The main antibacterial drugs for the treatment of angina of a bacterial nature:
- Amoxicillin;
- Amoxiclav;
- Cefuroxime;
- Azithromycin;
- Clarithromycin.
The average duration of antibiotic use is 7-10 days.
Recommendations for antibacterial treatment must be strictly followed. Inappropriate antibiotic therapy is a common cause of the formation of chronic tonsillitis, as well as the growth of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Before changing the dosage or duration of administration, you should consult your doctor.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be used when body temperature rises above 38.5 ° C
When the body temperature rises above 38.5 ° C or in the presence of severe pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are recommended:
- Paracetamol;
- Ibuprofen;
- Aspirin.
In order to reduce tissue edema during inflammation of the tonsils, antihistamines can be prescribed: Suprastin, Zyrtec.
For gargling, 0.05% Chlorhexidine solution, 0.02% Nitrofural solution are recommended for 7 days. Additionally, you can use decoctions of medicinal herbs - chamomile, calendula, eucalyptus, sage. Also, at home, rinsing with Furacilin solution, solutions with sea salt, and tea tree extract is often used.
Antiseptic preparations are also used in the form of tablets / lozenges for resorption: Strepsils, Lizobakt.
To increase immunity, immunomodulators can be prescribed: IRS 19, Imudon. The active substance of these drugs are lysates of microorganisms. The course of treatment is up to 10 days.
As part of a complex treatment, medicinal plants, in particular aloe, can be used
For inhalation at home, aloe, eucalyptus, chamomile are used.
In case of severe intoxication, pain syndrome and hyperthermia, hospitalization in the infectious diseases department is required.
Re-inoculation to determine the eradication of the pathogen is performed 4 weeks after the end of the antibacterial drug intake.
Complications
With insufficiently effective control of the microbial pathogen, various complications can arise. This is especially true of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. With untimely or inadequate therapy, purulent (paratonsillar and pharyngeal abscess) and non-purulent (endocarditis, rheumatism, acute glomerulonephritis, post-streptococcal reactive arthritis) complications are possible.
Streptococcal tonsillitis with severe invasion of the pathogen can also lead to the development of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. This condition is characterized by a decrease in pressure, pathology of the blood coagulation system and multiple organ failure.
Video
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Alina Ervasova Obstetrician-gynecologist, consultant About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University. THEM. Sechenov.
Work experience: 4 years of work in private practice.
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