Sore throat, pain when swallowing, fever…Pharyngitis is a common ENT infection, especially in children. Viral or bacterial, it is contagious for several days.
Pharyngitis is a infection whose origin is mainly viral. She may be acute or chronic. The person with pharyngitis may be contagious for more than 21 days. What is the duration pharyngitis? What differences with a laryngitis ? How to treat pharyngitis?
Definition: what is pharyngitis?
Pharyngitis is a inflammation of the pharynx caused by an infection of viral (more often) or bacterial (rarely) origin. The pharynx is a muscular tube present in the throat. It is in a way the crossroads of the swallowing and breathing pathways. Pharyngitis, the main manifestation of which is a sore throatconstitutes a reason for frequent medical consultation. We are talking about nasopharyngitis (or “cold”) when the infection affects both the mucous membrane inside the nose (nasal cavity) and the pharynx (located behind the nasal cavity).
► Chronic pharyngitis
Rarer than acute pharyngitis, chronic pharyngitis sets in gradually, most often in adults. The symptoms are generally less marked and remain localized in the throat, without fever. It is most often related to a tobacco use, alcohol abuse, forced use of the voice (singer), exposure to atmospheric pollutants or cold drafts (air conditioning), and also to gastroesophageal reflux.
► Granular pharyngitis
granular pharyngitis or “chronic hyperplastic pharyngitis” is a form of chronic pharyngitis characterized by particular thickening of the mucous membrane which takes on a granular appearance, pale red to gray, with pharyngeal venous dilatations. It is most often accompanied by vomiting or nausea, frequent swallowing movements and clearing of the throat with a feeling of constriction.
► Atrophic pharyngitis
Atrophic pharyngitis is a chronic form of pharyngitis characterized by dryness of the pharynx sometimes with thick crusts and a thick, red, smooth and transparent mucous membrane. It can be associated with a atrophic rhinitis, and/or laryngitis, and frequent, thick sputum with a feeling of shortness of breath at night and insomnia. Added to this are constant throat clearing caused by small mucosal bleeding. These symptoms are often related to unfavorable climatic conditions (hot and dry air) and often affects the elderly.
What are the differences between laryngitis and pharyngitis?
Pharyngitis and laryngitis are two infections caused by viruses or bacteria which affect two neighboring but different organs: the pharynx (organ of swallowing) and the larynx (organ of phonation). Pharyngitis causes pain when swallowing while laryngitis changes the intonation of the voice. Both infections can be accompanied by coughing and spitting up.
How long does pharyngitis last?
After one 24 hour incubation (very short), the first symptoms of pharyngitis appear. They then persist between 5 and 10 days in general but the person can be contagious for more than 21 days. pharyngitis chronic can last several months.
What are the symptoms of pharyngitis?
Pharyngitis is manifested by sore throat, of the pain when swallowing sometimes causing difficulty in eating and loss of appetiteas well as a redness and inflammation of the pharynx. Sometimes added a fever, painful cough and often a runny nose which irritates the pharynx and can also be the cause of pharyngitis. In chronic pharyngitis, the symptoms are less intense but the feeling of dryness in the pharynx, nausea and the urge to clear the throat can be very debilitating on a daily basis.
A simple clinical examination at the general practitioner is usually enough to diagnose pharyngitis. Its diagnosis is based on an examination of the back of the mouth and throat as well as observation of other symptoms. In case of doubt about the origin of the infection, he can carry out a throat swab (RDT for Rapid Diagnostic Test) to look for a bacterial infection by streptococcus requiring antibiotic treatment.
Usually pharyngitis heals spontaneously in a few days without special treatment. However, it is recommended to consult a doctor if your symptoms are very intense and/or if you do not notice any improvement after 48 hours“.
► Antibiotics. THE group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis (the first bacterium responsible for pharyngitis) represent 10 to 25% of adult pharyngitis and 25 to 40% of pharyngitis in children. Streptococcal pharyngitis has the particularity of being contagious and requiring antibiotic treatment. If the infection is not treated, secondary complications may appear, such as rheumatic fever (with joint, skin and especially heart damage), and acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis which affects the kidneys.
► Analgesics. The treatment of viral pharyngitis is based on the prescription of pain medication such as paracetamol. The evolution of pharyngitis is rapidly towards recovery.
In the presence of nasopharyngitisa very frequent case, nasal secretions must be combated by blowing your nose, possibly helped by cleaning with isotonic seawater and a nasal decongestant. Rest and anesthetic and antiseptic throat lozenges can also help. In young children unable to blow their nose, frequently affected by nasopharyngitis, saline can be used, or the “fly-baby”.
homeopathy may help relieve symptoms of pharyngitis. Apis mellifica is used for throat pain and when swallowing is difficult. Until the symptoms disappear, it is advisable to take 5 granules of Argentum nitricum 9 CH three times per day. When a “a feeling of a splinter stuck in the throat” occurs5 granules of Hepar sulfuris calcareum 9 CH should be taken once a day or 5 granules of Phytolacca decandra 9 CH, three times a day especially, if the pain spreads to the ears when swallowing. To relieve sore throat, it is possible to diffuse pure Cajeput essential oil or mix it with other essential oils (Niaouli, Ravintsara, Saro, Lemon, Scots Pine, etc.). It is also possible smell a few drops of Cajeput essential oil placed on a handkerchief. A honey infusion (for example with thyme) can help relieve sore throat and boost the immune system.
What are the causes of pharyngitis?
Pharyngitis is a commonplace condition, frequently present as part of a local inflammation or infection, often viral, more rarely bacterial. Other factors can cause pharyngitis such as exposure to dustpoisoning with tobaccolong exposure to air conditioning or chronic sinusitis.