The pharynx, an organ between the mouth and the esophagus, plays a role in passing air and ingested food, and also plays an important role in vocalization. Since it acts as a passage for air and food to pass through, it is also a site where many infectious diseases occur due to various substances introduced from the outside. Pharyngitis refers to a disease in the throat caused by infection with these viruses or bacteria. It is one of the most common diseases in the cold winter season when the daily temperature difference is large and the temperature drops sharply, and it is divided into acute and chronic. The main cause of pharyngitis is an infection caused by a virus. It is caused by several viruses such as adenovirus, coxsackie virus, rhinovirus, echovirus, and influenza virus. It is also said to be caused by bacterial infections such as streptococcus, hemolytic acanobacteria, and mycoplasma. It can also be caused by continued excessive drinking habits, smoking, overwork and severe dehydration, and various factors such as the spread of inflammation in the adjacent area and inhalation of irritants and vapors also influence the occurrence. Now, let’s learn about the various symptoms that appear when pharyngitis occurs, along with various information related to treatment and prevention one by one.
The main symptoms of pharyngitis
If the main symptom of pharyngitis is caused by a virus, it has a characteristic that the progression rate is slower than that caused by bacteria. Symptoms usually include sore throat, runny nose, stuffy nose, sputum, cough, fever, malaise, and loss of appetite. A sore throat starts about a day after infection and is most severe after 2-3 days. And the virality is slightly different depending on the virus that causes it. Adenovirus can accompany diseases such as conjunctivitis along with high blood pressure, and Coxsackie virus can cause ulcer lesions and blisters in the mouth, as well as diarrhea and skin rashes. And unlike a viral infection, in the case of a bacterial infection, it can occur without preceding cold symptoms. It can be accompanied by a sore throat along with a high fever, and can cause headaches and digestive problems. Fever usually lasts 1 to 4 days, but in severe cases, it may last for 2 weeks. The tonsils may also become swollen, the pharynx may turn red, and a yellow exudative discharge may occur. In addition, the lymph nodes become swollen and may feel swollen or painful to the touch.
These symptoms of pharyngitis often recover spontaneously. However, when acute pharyngitis occurs, when symptoms worsen due to neglect, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinusitis can occur, and in severe cases, symptoms such as enlarged lymph nodes can occur. In addition, tonsillitis, abscesses around the tonsils, and retropharyngeal abscesses may occur, and complications such as rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis may occur. Therefore, if symptoms persist even after the appropriate time has passed, it is recommended to receive appropriate treatment through a prompt visit, and it is important to prevent it in advance by maintaining regular personal hygiene and healthy lifestyle.
How to treat and prevent pharyngitis
1. Diagnosis and treatment
The diagnosis of pharyngitis includes symptoms and examination findings, as well as tests such as blood tests, pharyngeal culture, and group A streptococcal antigen detection method for differential diagnosis of viral and bacterial. Radiography may also be performed if complications are suspected. And depending on the diagnosis result, symptomatic treatment to relieve symptoms and antibiotic administration in case of bacterial pharyngitis can be performed. Symptomatic treatment to relieve symptoms is to use antipyretics or painkillers, or to gargle with salt water such as physiological saline and inhalation of steam. In addition, if inflammation persists or is caused by a bacterial infection, drug treatment with antibiotics can be performed.
2. Personal hygiene management
Since pharyngitis is an infectious disease caused by viruses and bacteria, it is said that careful personal hygiene such as hand washing, mouthwashing, and gargling is helpful to block the infectious factors. In addition, it is recommended to properly control the humidity so that the air does not become too dry when exposed to dry air for a long time, as the function of the pharynx or mucous membranes does not work normally, and the possibility of pharyngitis increases. In addition, it is important to control the air conditioning properly because humidity will decrease if excessive cooling is performed even in summer when the weather is hot, not in winter. In addition, if you use a humidifier or air purifier, if you do not pay attention to the filter and cleanliness in the device, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses, so regular filter replacement and meticulous cleaning are important.
3. Drinking plenty of water
It is also important to drink plenty of water every day to prevent pharyngitis. When drinking water, it is said that it is better to drink warm water rather than too cold water. In addition, regular intake of various foods such as bellflower, pear, radish, and ginger, which are excellent in suppressing inflammation in the pharynx and protecting the mucous membrane, or drinking it in the form of tea are effective in preventing and relieving symptoms.
In addition, since it is known that the body’s immune status greatly affects the development of pharyngitis, it is recommended to have sufficient rest and sleep habits by improving overwork and lack of sleep that cause a decrease in immune function. And if you already have pharyngitis, it is recommended to practice smoking cessation and reduce the situation of secondhand smoke as much as possible because exposure to cigarette smoke can lead to inflammation of the throat.
