Red angina means a local infection of the pharynx causing an acute sore throat. The tonsils turn bright red. What is the difference with white angina? Is it contagious ? What are the typical symptoms? Photo and treatments to treat it.
Red sore throat means infection and inflammation of the pharynx which causes sharp pains (when you swallow your saliva or food for example). In the case of red angina, the tonsils and pharynx are very inflamed and redden. What are the symptoms red angina? Is it contagious ? What is the bacterium or virus involved? What treatment to treat it? Of the antibiotics ? Learn all about this infection.
Definition: what is red angina?
Red or erythematous anginacorresponds to a local infection of the pharynx causing sharp pains in the throat, especially during deglutition (in other words, when swallowing). She is said “red” because it leads inflammation of the tonsils and pharynx that makes them bright red. Like white or erythemato-pultaceous angina, red angina can be of viral originthe most frequent case, or bacterial. This is, in most cases a mild illness, but contagious and it can happen that it is at the origin of serious complications. It is very common in children under the age of 15.
What are the differences between white angina and red angina?
Angina is called “red” if the tonsils are inflamed and therefore bright red. On the other hand, it is a so-called “white” angina if there are small white dots on the surface of the tonsil and whether there are whitish deposits on the membrane.
What are the symptoms of red angina?
Red angina, like white angina, causes:
- of the sharp pains in the throatespecially during swallowing
- red discoloration of the palatine tonsils and pharynx
- sometimes fever,
- headaches,
- cough,
- local adenopathies
- vomitings.
Photo of a red angina
How long does red angina last?
If viral, angina lasts for about one week and heals spontaneously, in the absence of superinfection.
What is the cause of red angina?
Most sore throats are viral and occur in winter
Most sore throats are viral and occur in winter. When they are bacterial, they can be due to streptococcus. Streptococcus beta-hemolytic must be treated seriously because it can cause serious heart and joint complications.
When to consult in case of symptoms suggestive of angina?
It is necessary to consult when sore throats persist for several days and that they are accompanied by persistent fever. If the swallowing disorders are major to the point of not being able to swallow, medical consultation is necessary urgently. Complications of red angina are rare but in fragile subjects one can observe tonsillar phlegmons, cardiac complications or acute articular rheumatism.
The diagnosis is based on clinical signs of the disease And doctor’s questioning. If there is any doubt about the bacterial origin of the infection, the latter performs a test called RDT (rapid diagnostic test), using a swab, a utensil resembling a large cotton swab, which he rubs on the tonsil. This gesture is painless. The swab is then brought into contact with a reagent which, depending on its color, will make it possible to determine whether the angina is due to a streptococcus, therefore bacterial, and that it requires treatment with antibiotics.
It is important to follow the antibiotic treatment until its end, even when the symptoms have disappeared, to avoid a relapse
The treatment depends on the origin of the angina. In case of viral angina, it consists of taking drugs to fight against fever and pain (paracetamol, anti-inflammatories, aspirin, ibuprofen). In case of bacterial angina, antibiotics will also be prescribed. It is important to follow the antibiotic therapy until its end, even when the symptoms have disappeared, to avoid a relapse, but also a transmission to the entourage and the development of bacterial resistance.
To avoid angina, it is advisable to consume regularly honey and vitamin C which constitute the best prevention of viral infections in the ENT sphere. On the other hand, washing hands and protecting those around you prevent contagion.
Thanks to Dr Anne-Christine Della Valle, general practitioner.