Pharyngitis
Is pharyngitis contagious? Everything about its symptoms, duration, and the most commonly used treatments to cure it.
Symptoms and Causes
Pharyngitis is the inflammation or irritation of the pharyngeal mucosa, usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. However, it can also be irritative and secondary to factors such as tobacco smoke, dry environments, or gastric reflux.
There are generally two types of pharyngitis depending on their characteristics:
- Acute pharyngitis: The most common type. It resolves on its own or with the help of pharmacological treatment within a few days.
- Chronic pharyngitis: This type can last for several weeks and is often associated with environmental factors or personal habits.
In most cases, it is a mild condition that resolves without causing major complications.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of acute pharyngitis include:
- Sore throat, especially when swallowing or speaking.
- Redness of the pharynx.
- Swollen cervical lymph nodes.
- Dry throat.
- Fever.
- Bad breath.
- General discomfort.
Chronic pharyngitis is classified into three subtypes depending on specific symptoms:
- Simple chronic pharyngitis: It presents the same symptoms as acute pharyngitis but lasts for a longer period.
- Hyperplastic or granular chronic pharyngitis: Severe inflammation of the lymphatic tissue, causing the sensation of having a foreign body in the throat.
- Atrophic or dry chronic pharyngitis: The mucosa dries out, making the throat feel rough and producing thick mucus.
Causes
Pharyngitis can result from various causes.
- Viral pharyngitis occurs due to infections by rhinovirus, adenovirus, coronavirus, influenza, or parainfluenza.
- Bacterial pharyngitis is most commonly caused by streptococcal bacteria.
Chronic pharyngitis may be associated with smoking, exposure to chemical irritants, Candida infections in the throat, dust allergies, hormonal disorders, poor control of gastroesophageal reflux, or aging.
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase the risk of developing pharyngitis, including:
- Age: It is more common in children between the ages of three and fifteen.
- Smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke.
- Having allergies.
- A history of tonsillectomy.
- Spending long periods in enclosed spaces.
- Gastroesophageal and digestive disorders.
Complications
Pharyngitis is generally a mild condition with no significant complications. However, in some cases, streptococcal pharyngitis can lead to complications such as scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, otitis, or sinusitis.
Prevention
Simple habits can help prevent pharyngitis, such as:
- Avoiding crowded places.
- Staying away from smoky or polluted environments.
- Consuming foods rich in vitamin C.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Following a balanced diet.
Which Doctor Treats Pharyngitis?
Pharyngitis is diagnosed and treated in otolaryngology, pediatrics, and general medicine consultations.
Diagnosis
Pharyngitis is easily diagnosed in a medical consultation, and additional tests are usually unnecessary. The physician typically assesses the symptoms, examines the throat, and palpates the lymph nodes to confirm the diagnosis.
In some cases, a throat swab is performed to collect a sample and identify the bacterial cause of the infection.
Treatment
The treatment for pharyngitis depends on the nature of the disease:
- For viral infections, rest, increased fluid intake, and the use of antipyretics or analgesics for symptom relief are recommended.
- For bacterial infections, antibiotic treatment is necessary to combat the infection.
