Pharyngitis

Pharyngitis is a condition in which sores or inflammation occur in the throat or nearby areas, such as the base of the tongue, roof of the mouth, or tonsils. People with this condition often experience symptoms such as a sore throat, itchy throat, and difficulty swallowing.

Most cases of strep throat are caused by viral or bacterial infections. In Thailand, this condition can occur throughout the year, but it may be more common during colder months, such as the rainy and winter seasons, as the temperatures during these seasons are ideal for the spread of viruses.

Symptoms of sore throat

The main symptoms of pharyngitis are sore throat and difficulty swallowing.  Other symptoms depend on the underlying cause of the pharyngitis, such as:

Viral sore throat

Symptoms caused by the virus include:

• Red throat, dry throat, hoarse voice
• Red eyes , stuffy nose,runny nose
• Low-grade fever in patients with colds and high fever in those with 
• Loss of appetite, feeling unwell
• Cough, sneeze, headache
• There is a rash on the body.
• Fatigue, muscle aches, chills
• Some viruses can cause canker sores insidethe mouth and on the lips.
• In the case of children, they may also have diarrhea.

Bacterial sore throat

Bacterial infections may cause the following symptoms:

• Have a fever and chills
• Headache
• Nausea, dizziness
• Red neck with white or grey spots or patches on the neck.
• Body aches and discomfort
• Enlarged tonsils with white spots
• The lymph nodes in the neck are swollen or painful when pressed.
• In the case of children, they may also experience nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.

If you or someone close to you has sore throat symptoms, you should see a doctor for early examination and appropriate treatment to reduce the risk of possible complications.

Causes of sore throat

Most cases of strep throat are caused by a viral infection, particularly the Coxsackie virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and the viruses that cause the common cold, influenza, chickenpox, diphtheria , and measles.

Other causes besides viral infections are usually bacterial infections, such as Streptococcus bacteria or the bacteria that cause gonorrhea , chlamydia  , whooping cough  , and diphtheria .

There are many ways that these germs can enter the body, but the most common way is when germs are spread through the air and enter the body through inhalation, or sometimes it may be through direct contact with the germs.

However, there are some factors that may increase the risk of the body becoming infected with germs, such as:

• Cold weather is during the rainy or winter season, which is conducive to the spread of colds and flu.
• There is something irritating inside my throat.
• The body’s immune system is weak.
• Tight muscles in the throat
• Allergies or allergy
• Acid reflux
• Frequent sinus infections
• Have a tumor in the throat, tongue, or larynx
• Being in close contact with a patient who has a sore throat, pharyngitis, or a cold
• Being in a daycare center where there is an outbreak of infection
• Smoking or being around people who smoke and being exposed to second-hand smoke

Diagnosis of pharyngitis

To diagnose strep throat, the doctor usually starts with a basic physical examination, including asking about various information that may be related to the disease, such as the patient’s symptoms and history of being close to someone who has strep throat. The doctor will then examine the throat, inside the throat, mouth, nose, ears, and lymph nodes in the neck.

If the doctor suspects that the patient has pharyngitis, the doctor may use other tests to make an accurate diagnosis, such as:

Examine liquid samples

The doctor will use a cotton swab to collect a sample of fluid from the throat to be tested in a laboratory for infection, with the results coming out within about 1–2 days.

Blood test

If the doctor suspects that the symptoms may be due to other causes that may be complicated by medical treatment, the doctor may order a blood sample from the patient for laboratory testing. This test may use methods such as a complete blood count  (CBC).

Treatment of sore throat

In cases where a patient’s sore throat is caused by a viral infection, the doctor may treat the symptoms until the body’s immune system is strong and the infection is eliminated.

In this group, patients can also use the following methods in conjunction with medical treatment, such as:

• Take painkillers to relieve pain or reduce fever associated with sore throat .These include paracetamol and ibuprofen. However, aspirin should only be used in adults and should be consulted with a doctor first.
• Get plenty of rest and recover.
• Rinse your mouth and throat with salt water.
• Drink plenty of water to prevent 
• Drink warm water or eat soft foods.
• Suck on throat lozenges, available at drug stores.
• Use a humidifier or avoid being in dry air.
• Avoid smoking anddrinking alcohol.

For patients with sore throat caused by bacterial infection, doctors often use antibiotics to treat them. The groups of drugs that doctors may use include penicillin  or amoxicillin. Patients must take the medication correctly and in the full amount prescribed by the doctor. They must not stop taking the medication even if their symptoms improve.

If the patient has symptoms of an allergic reaction to a drug  , see a doctor immediately. In cases where the patient is allergic to penicillin or amoxicillin, the doctor may prescribe erythromycin  or azithromycin instead. The patient must also take the drug strictly under the doctor’s advice.

In addition to the above treatment methods, the doctor may consider other treatment methods on a case-by-case basis, depending on the cause of the sore throat.

Complications of pharyngitis

In cases where pharyngitis is caused by a viral infection, if the patient was healthy before the infection, recovery and recovery are usually short-lived, and there are usually no long-term complications. In cases where pharyngitis is caused by bacteria, the patient may be at risk of developing other complications if not treated properly.

However, the occurrence of any disease and complications depends on each person’s health and treatment, which are different. Examples of complications that may occur after being sick with sore throat include:

• Ear infection
• OtitisMedia
• Sinusitis​
• Abscesses form near the tonsils.
• Acute Glomerulonephritis
• Scarlet Fever in Children
• Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome
• Acute Rheumatic Fever

Prevention of sore throat

Sore throats can be difficult to prevent, but you can reduce your risk by doing the following:

• Wash your handsfrequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating and after possible contact with germs, such as coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, or after caring for children or sick people.
• Avoid contact with infected people or being near sick people.
• Do not share containers or eating utensils with others.
• If someone in the house or a close person has pharyngitis, separate the containers used for drinking and eating and always wash the containers with hot water and dishwashing liquid.
• If a young child has sore throat and swallows a toy, wash the toy with soap and water.
• If a child has strep throat, they should stay out of school until they have taken their medication for at least 24 hours and are feeling better, to reduce the chances of spreading the infection to other children.
• Do not smoke and avoid being around people who smoke to avoid inhaling second-hand smoke .