Pharyngitis: treatment and prophylaxis

What is pharyngitis?

Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the lining and underlying structures of the pharynx. Acute pharyngitis is one of the most common conditions for which the child is consulted by the pediatrician.

There are two types of pharyngitis:

• Viral pharyngitis - caused by viruses, this is identified by red throat and inflammation.
• Bacterial pharyngitis - caused by bacteria, it is identified by the presence of purulent deposits.

Identifying the cause is important for proper treatment.

The most common causes of pharyngitis are:

• bacterial or viral infections; the viruses most commonly involved are rhinovirus, adenovirus, influenza virus, paragripal virus, coronavirus, and among the bacterial factors involved are group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, staphylococcus, pneumococcus.
• Repeated exposure to irritants - cigarette smoke, noxins, chemicals, medicinal agents;
• gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Symptoms of pharyngitis

The most common first sign of acute pharyngitis is a feeling of irritation in the throat. This becomes more and more intense, with pain starting on the first day. The peak of the sore throat is reached 2-3 days after onset, when inflammation, coughing and sometimes fever occur.

In children, fever is often, but not always, present and the general condition is relatively good as long as there are no complications. A lack of appetite does occur.

Pharyngitis may also include:

• tiredness
• headaches and body aches
• sneezing
• runny nose
• nausea or vomiting

Most cases of pharyngitis will go away without treatment in a week or less. In some cases, however, medical treatment is necessary for pharyngitis. This is especially true if the pharyngitis is caused by a bacterial infection. For such cases, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.

It should be pointed out that inadequate treatment of acute inflammation as well as the negative effects of a number of other pathogenic factors (smoking, dust, noxious substances, alcohol, rhinitis, sinusitis, etc.) can lead to chronic pharyngitis.

Pharyngitis treatment

Doctors recommend treatment depending on the underlying cause of pharyngitis. For example, to treat a bacterial infection, the specialist may prescribe a course of oral antibiotics such as amoxicillin or penicillin. Antibiotics are intended to relieve symptoms and prevent complications such as rheumatic fever. It is essential that you complete the full course of antibiotics to ensure that the infection has cleared, but also to prevent reinfection.

Symptomatic treatment includes:

• Analgesics and NSAIDs: acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, ketoprofen;

• Local anesthetics: benzocaine, lidocaine, benzidamine;
• Antiseptic and local anesthetic sprays/aerosols for pharyngitis and sucking lozenges: Faringo spray, Faringosept, Laridep, Decasept, Septolete, Septosol, Trachisept, Proposept etc.)

Laridep, 30 tablets, Dr. Phyto

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Decasept propolis, 24 tablets, Amniocen

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£2.90

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Trachisept Junior with honey and lemon, 16 tablets, Labormed

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£5.20

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Prophylaxis in pharyngitis

The main risk factors in relapsing rhinopharyngitis are the absence of natural nutrition, attendance of children's communities, smoking - passive and active, chronic infection of adenoid vegetations, air pollution, socio-economic and family conditions, vitamin and mineral deficiency, allergic terrain, gastroesophageal reflux. Early detection and correction of these factors can lead to fewer episodes of pharyngitis.