How Is Pharyngitis Treated?

How Is Pharyngitis Treated?

Pharyngitis is inflammation of the pharynx, the part located at the back floor of the throat. Inflammation occurring in the pharynx or throat may remain limited to a small area or spread throughout the entire throat. The last third of the tongue, the soft palate that forms the roof of the mouth, and the tonsils, which are part of the body's defense system, are tissues that can be affected by pharyngitis. The most common causes of pharyngitis, which can cause symptoms similar to the flu and common cold, include bacteria and viruses. Viruses that cause inflammation of the pharynx are highly contagious and can spread through airborne droplets. Viral pharyngitis can be transmitted directly through actions such as sneezing, coughing, etc. However, body fluids of infected individuals can also be a risk factor for pharyngeal inflammation. Viral pharyngitis may not cause long-term inflammation and tends to resolve on its own.

In non-viral cases, bacteria are generally considered responsible. In particular, Group A Streptococcus bacteria are among the groups that play a major role in the spread and development of pharyngitis. Bacterial pharyngitis may respond to drug treatment, but severe symptoms may occur. Apart from this, severe trauma, cancer, toxic and allergenic substances, and certain diseases can be risk factors for pharyngeal inflammation. The condition can be brought under control with medication, which is the main treatment option.

What Is Pharyngitis?

The pharynx is the part of the throat located above the vocal cords and the larynx (voice box), and is known as the "throat" (yutak). This section is where the nasal and oral cavities meet, and it allows food to pass from the mouth to the esophagus and stomach. It is also connected with conveying air coming through the nose to the windpipe (trachea). The pharynx consists of 3 sections: the nasopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx. The condition that arises when the oropharynx, which is located in the middle of the throat and contains the tonsils, becomes inflamed is called "pharyngitis." The main causes responsible for inflammation of the oropharyngeal mucosa include allergies, bacteria and viruses, toxins, cancer and trauma. In addition, some environmental conditions may be risk factors for pharyngitis. Risk factors that can make individuals more susceptible to pharyngitis may include:

Smoking and use of tobacco products,

Seasonal allergies and allergies to dust, mold, pet dander,

Inhalation of chemical and irritating air such as cleaning products and fossil fuels, etc.,

Frequently recurring or chronic sinusitis,

Conditions that weaken the immune system such as HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy, stress, etc.,

Frequent presence in crowded areas such as childcare centers, parks, airplanes and offices, etc.

Children and adolescents may have a higher risk of developing pharyngitis. In particular, since bacterial and viral transmission is quite easy, it may lead to faster inflammation in children. Chronic pharyngitis, also known as non-resolving pharyngitis, tends to last longer (several weeks) compared with acute cases.

What Are the Symptoms of Pharyngitis?

Symptoms of pharyngitis may vary from person to person. This variability may depend on the stage of pharyngitis, its causes, the individual's immune level and environmental conditions. Typical symptoms include sore throat and pain when swallowing, but additional symptoms depend on the source of the infection. Accordingly, symptoms of bacterial pharyngitis caused by Group A Streptococcus may be as follows:

Fever,

Headache,

Swollen tonsils,

White spots on the tonsils,

Body aches,

Swollen lymph nodes in the neck,

Difficulty and pain when swallowing.

Symptoms of streptococcal pharyngitis may be more severe compared with viral infections. It often presents as acute pharyngitis. There may be some differences between the symptoms of acute pharyngitis and those of viral pharyngitis, which are:

Dry cough,

Runny nose,

Conjunctivitis,

Hoarseness of voice,

Redness of the throat,

Redness of the eyes may occur.

Some virus types can also cause painful sores inside the mouth and around the lips. In children, pharyngitis may present as ear pain, nausea and vomiting, or abdominal pain. In addition to viruses and bacteria, some fungal species may be responsible. These can cause symptoms such as thrush in the mouth, difficulty swallowing and sore throat. Symptoms of chronic pharyngitis generally resemble those of acute pharyngitis.

What Causes Pharyngitis?

Pharyngitis can develop as a result of many different factors. Viruses are frequently considered responsible for the development of pharyngitis. Bacteria are also among the triggers of pharyngitis. Irritation of the throat is frequently a condition that carries a risk of pharyngeal infection. Causes of pharyngitis may include:

Viruses: Influenza and common cold viruses, mononucleosis, measles and chickenpox, croup, COVID-19, etc. may be viruses that can trigger inflammation of the pharynx.

Bacteria: Various bacteria may carry risk, but cases generally arise from Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria.

Allergies: Allergens that can irritate the throat may include pollen, pet dander, dust and mold.

Irritants: Being an active or passive (smoking) smoker, excessive alcohol consumption, air pollution, exposure to dense smoke, harsh cleaning product chemicals and excessive spice consumption may cause irritation of the pharynx.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Irritation of the throat may occur as a result of stomach acid and contents frequently coming up into the esophagus and mouth. As a result, a condition called reflux pharyngitis may arise.

Tumors: Tumors occurring in parts of the throat such as the tongue, larynx, etc. may cause intense symptoms and adversely affect the throat.

In addition, dry indoor air, not using a humidifier, speaking loudly for long periods and straining the throat muscles, the presence of HIV and AIDS, abscess formation in the throat, Kawasaki disease and epiglottitis are other causes. The presence of certain diseases is among the causes of chronic pharyngitis.

How Is Pharyngitis Diagnosed?

For the diagnosis of pharyngitis, the individual's medical history and family history are evaluated. At the same time, the throat, ears, nasal passages and lymph nodes may be examined during a physical examination. Testing may not be necessary when viral symptoms are present. However, in the absence of viral symptoms, a Strep A Rapid Antigen Test and throat culture may be used. In rapid antigen tests, a sample is taken from the back of the throat with a sterile swab and results can be obtained within a short time. Since rapid antigen tests are not sensitive, throat culture, which is a more reliable method, may be applied. Therefore, throat culture can be accepted as the standard diagnostic test. Throat culture results may be available within 24-48 hours. Less frequently, molecular tests may be preferred for detecting the presence of Streptococcus bacteria. Making a correct diagnosis is an important step in shaping the treatment plan. Therefore, signs and symptoms should be carefully monitored and necessary tests should be performed.

Multiple answers can be given to the question "How is pharyngitis treated?" This is because the factors causing pharyngitis differ. Acute bacterial pharyngitis, which runs a more severe course than viral pharyngitis, can be treated as follows:

Antibiotic treatment is given to resolve bacterial inflammation. Even when symptoms disappear within a few days, antibiotic treatment should be continued under physician guidance. Failure to take antibiotic treatment as prescribed may adversely affect the course of the pharyngeal throat infection.

Viral pharyngitis generally does not require medical treatment. Since antibiotics do not act on viruses, the aim is only to relieve symptoms. In viral infections, sore throat may last about 5-7 days.

Apart from viral and bacterial causes, the treatment of pharyngitis and chronic pharyngitis may require the use of additional medications and methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Flu and common cold are the most common health problems confused with pharyngitis. Differential tests exist for these diseases, which have similar symptoms. In particular, taking and evaluating a throat culture is accepted as the standard test and is widely used. Compared with rapid antigen tests, throat culture helps achieve more sensitive results. A physical examination alone may not be sufficient for establishing a diagnosis. When Group A Streptococcus bacteria cause pharyngitis, high fever may be among the symptoms. Generally, viruses may not cause high fever as bacteria do. However, in pharyngitis caused by the "Epstein-Barr virus" or infectious mononucleosis, fever may be a prominent symptom. If high fever occurs together with sore throat, nasal or postnasal discharge, dry cough, tonsil swelling, hoarseness of voice, etc., contacting a relevant healthcare facility is strongly recommended. In cases caused by viruses, nasal or postnasal discharge may occur. Viruses such as rhinovirus can cause secretion as a result of infection and invasion of the pharyngeal mucosa. In parallel with secretion, an increase in nasal secretions may occur. In viral pharyngitis, nasal discharge may be accompanied by findings such as cough, rash, headache, eye redness and conjunctivitis. Home care practices that support medical treatment may shorten the recovery period. Fluid intake may be recommended to moisten the throat and prevent fluid loss from the body. However, since alcohol and caffeine increase water excretion from the body, restricting these substances may be necessary. Pharyngitis may be relieved by gargling. Therefore, gargling with a solution made from half a teaspoon of salt in lukewarm water may be recommended. Since pharyngitis may trigger sputum formation, resting the throat and voice and the use of prescription and over-the-counter medications may be encouraged. Additionally, staying away from irritants, humidifying the room, and quitting smoking and tobacco products may help with throat irritation. Inflammation of the pharynx can be associated with throat irritation and pain. In this context, in the presence of severe pharyngitis, some individuals may experience dry cough and shortness of breath. Moreover, although rare, cancers arising in the pharynx or larynx may present with findings such as sore throat, shortness of breath, neck swelling, and bleeding from the mouth and nose. Shortness of breath should not be evaluated as a sole finding; other findings must also be monitored. Pharyngeal inflammation is an acute or temporary infection. When this condition becomes chronic or frequently recurring, the infection may spread from the throat to the lungs. This course may often not be seen in patients with a mild illness. If treatment cannot be achieved, the lungs may become an area at risk for infection. The pharynx is one of the common points of the digestive and respiratory systems and is located close to external factors. Therefore, the pharynx, which holds an important position against environmental stimuli, is a critical area for several health problems. Do not neglect your check-ups as part of protecting and improving pharyngeal health.