What is viral pharyngitis?

viral pharyngitis

Viral pharyngitis is most often caused by market viruses, adenoviruses and enteroviruses, which are usually transmitted to the body via the droplet. Symptoms of inflammation are sore throat and swallowing problems, which are accompanied by a runny nose, cough, fever, lack of appetite. Treatment is usually symptomatic and is based on analgesics and antipyretics.

What is viral pharyngitis?

Viral pharyngitis is usually characterized by a common cold, which was caused by adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, enteroviruses, and sometimes even influenza or herpes viruses. The condition occurs in both children and adults, but more often in children, because they have an unnatural immune system. Viruses entering the throat-nasal cavity stimulate the cells of the immune system to react. Cold usually appears in the autumn and winter, although this is not the rule - it can get us even in the summer. Viral pharyngitis is manifested not only in pain, but also in problems with swallowing. In addition, cough and high temperature may occur.

Viral pharyngitis - causes

The cause of viral sore throat is getting into a healthy body:

• rhinovirus,
• enteroviruses,
• influenza and parainfluenza virus,
• Epstein-Barr virus,
• herpes virus.

These viruses are usually transmitted to a healthy human through the droplet or through hands on which there is discharge from the nose or throat. That is why young children get infected more often because they often put their hands or toys in their mouths that were previously in contact with the person's illness. Viruses, after getting into the nasopharyngeal cavity, damage the epithelium, which is a signal for the immune system. Then, the immune cells go to the site of epithelial damage and secrete inflammatory substances that are responsible for the development of symptoms such as sore throat or swelling and redness of the pharyngeal mucosa.

Viral pharyngitis - symptoms

The symptoms of viral pharyngitis include:

•     sore throat,

•     fever,

•     weakness of the patient,

•     dry throat,

•     runny nose,

•     problems with swallowing,

•     cough,

•     vomiting,

•     headaches and muscles

•     loss of appetite.

There is also a redness of the throat, as well as locally appearing bubbles. In addition, there may be an increase in peripheral lymph nodes.

A special form of viral pharyngitis is herpangina. It is a disease that develops mainly due to the Coxsackie A and B viruses, it occurs with high fever and is characterized by the formation of vesicles and ulcers on the back of the throat and the mucous and palatal mucous membranes.

Treatment of viral pharyngitis

Viral pharyngitis is a condition that usually disappears spontaneously. Symptoms disappear after about a week, in children it may take a little longer. Treatment is primarily symptomatic and is based on taking medications to alleviate symptoms of pharyngitis. Among the recommended preparations / treatment method we can mention:

• taking lozenges - they not only soothe the pain, but also make the epithelium regenerate much faster;
• analgesics, anti-inflammatory and analgesics (e.g., ibuprofen and paracetamol);
• vitamin C used in large amounts;
• the use of inhalations, e.g. prepared on the basis of chamomile, thyme or sage;
• gargle (e.g. a mixture made on the basis of herbs or salt with water);
• topical disinfectants, e.g. Throat spray, which is available at the pharmacy without a prescription.

Does an antibiotic need an antibiotic for viral pharyngitis?

Such action is not justified. It should be remembered that an antibiotic is a preparation that works mainly on bacteria, whereas viral pharyngitis, as its name suggests, is caused by viruses. In addition, the use of antibiotics may even cause harm, for example by damaging the bacterial flora of the mouth, which in turn leads to fungal infection. Therefore, an antibiotic should only be given to those patients whose pharyngitis caused by bacteria.

How to distinguish viral pharyngitis from bacterial inflammation?

Very often, patients confuse viral pharyngitis with those with a bacterial base. So what are they different from each other? Bacterial inflammation has a much more severe course, viruses attack very quickly, and the disease itself is associated with high temperature, pain and strong throat mucosal edema. In addition, enlarged lymph nodes (cervical) appear. Bacterial inflammation requires antibiotic therapy.

In turn, the viral pharyngitis manifests itself slightly more mildly and disappears after a few days. It is not necessary to take an antibiotic, but you should go to the doctor for consultation so that he can correctly diagnose the infection and implement the appropriate treatment