Acute catarrhal throat inflammation

Acute catarrhal throat inflammation is in other words an acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the posterior wall of the throat and lymphatic tissue of the throat. The disease is the result of a viral or bacterial infection. It is usually preceded by severe rhinitis and the nasal part of the throat. The condition is manifested by a dominant sore throat and dry throat.

What is acute idiopathic sore throat?

Acute catarrhal throat is a condition characterized by acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the posterior throat and lymphatic tissue of the throat, trachea, nose and larynx. It is worth mentioning that the mucous membrane protects the body against microbes. Throat inflammation can attack not only the mucous membrane but also the tonsils. The disease unit is diagnosed considering the dominant picture of the disease. Inflammation may be a spontaneous disease entity, but may also indicate other more serious ailments.

The mechanism of acute catarrh of throat

Penetrating (along with inhaled air) into the throat, nose, sinuses or trachea - viruses, fungi and bacteria cause sore throat. At the moment when we breathe through the nose, penetrating bacteria and microorganisms are filtered through the nasal mucosa. Subsequent or moisturized and purified air gets into the throat and trachea. If we have a cold, our nose is blocked, then we breathe through the mouth and the air bypassing the nasal mucosa gets directly into the lungs. This additionally causes irritation of the throat by inhaling smoke or dust. People who smoke cigarettes are much more weakened mucous membranes, which makes it easier for microbes to penetrate into the body and develop infection.

Causes of acute catarrh of throat

The causes of pharyngitis include mainly viruses (up to 80% of cases), less often bacteria. The main viruses are rhinoviruses, enteroviruses, adenoviruses, and less often herpes or influenza virus. Microbes attack the body and cause infection, especially if we have a reduced immunity. Throat inflammation is a condition that can also accompany infectious diseases that occur during childhood:

• rubella,
• piggy,
• smallpox,
• measles.

If a bacterial infection occurs, the main culprit is Streptococcus pyogenes, or a bacterium from the streptococcal family. The involvement of tonsils by this type of bacteria leads to typical angina. Severe throat inflammation can also be caused by the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and pulmonary inflammation.

Factors that increase the risk of acute catarrhal pharyngitis

The factors affecting the appearance of ailments include:

• alcohol abuse,
• smoking,
• drinking cold drinks,
• breathing through the mouth (the throat mucosa does not clean the inhaled air),
• nutritional deficiencies,
• decrease in the body's immunity (eg due to medication),
• untreated teeth causing purulent changes in the mouth,
• sinusitis.

Symptoms of an acute catarrhal throat

Symptoms are similar to acute rhinitis, with throat complaints being more severe. The dominant symptom is a sore throat of various intensity, accompanied by a feeling of dryness, forcing the patient to frequent swallowing, which deepens the pain. The disease usually occurs with elevated temperature and general weakness.

Other symptoms in this condition are:

• smoking in the throat,
• feeling of scratching in the throat,
• pain when swallowing,
• throat congestion,
• redness of the tonsils without the white coating typical of angina,
• runny nose - it usually precedes throat disease,
• no enlarged lymph nodes,
• sometimes there are headaches, bad mood, earache and loss of appetite,
• conjunctivitis and larynx may occur.
• difficult breathing,
• bad smell from the mouth,

Warning! In young children and infants, a sharp throat may give more severe symptoms, and often diarrhea occurs. In small patients, pharyngitis often leads to otitis media.

Diagnosis of acute catarrhal throat inflammation

It happens that patients with acute pharyngitis do not consult their doctor at all, because it is a condition that is most often short-lived. However, the occurrence of severe symptoms (especially in children) should be reported to the doctor (pediatrician, family doctor). Diagnosis is based on the throat doctor watching and sometimes swabbing (it is not necessary). The exception may be bacterial inflammation that does not respond to treatment, and changes in the throat may indicate more serious diseases, such as syphilis.

Treatment of acute catarrh of throat

Acute pharyngitis, which lasts longer than 48 hours and is characterized by serous light or purulent secretion and enlarged neck lymph nodes, should be subjected to specialist treatment. Throat inflammation of virus origin does not require administration of antibiotics. Unfortunately, very often patients take antibiotics for minor infections of the throat, and sometimes even force the doctor to prescribe it to recover as soon as possible. The use of antibiotics without a clear indication not only makes the patient immunized, but it is also a threat to his health.

Viruses cause more than 80% of acute throat inflammations, and taking antibiotics (which do not work on viruses) leads to damage to the mucous membrane of the digestive tract and can be the cause of oral mycosis and throat.

Of course, in some cases a bacterial infection may occur when a bacterium is added to the viral agent. Then, there is a significant exacerbation of both general and local symptoms. Then we have an indication for the implementation of antibiotic therapy.

The following are tips on how to deal with acute catarrhal pharyngitis.

1. The patient should stay at home and apply symptomatic treatment.

2. Common analgesics can be used, e.g. paracetamol; anti-inflammatory and antipyretic preparations. It is also recommended to take topical disinfectants (benzydamine or chlorhexidine) - in the form of lozenges or gargles.

3. A home-based method of soothing sore throat is mixing warm milk with honey or garlic, and then drinking the prepared mixture. This method may unfortunately irritate mucous membranes even more in some patients.

4. Patients should avoid factors that irritate the mucous membrane of the throat: cold and hot drinks, spicy spices, dry air (here it is important to moisturize and air the rooms).

Is acute rhinitis dangerous to your health?

If it is diagnosed and treated early enough, it does not pose a health risk. However, in young children (as mentioned above) it can cause acute otitis media. However, in elderly patients, acute pharyngitis of a bacterial nature can turn into angina and lead to such complications as:

• rheumatic fever,
• glomerulonephritis.

It is important to find the cause of the pharyngitis and its removal, e.g. smokers should quit. However, if the cause is another chronic disease, focus on its treatment and taking preparations that have a local effect on the mucous membrane of the throat.