Pharyngitis (Sore Throat) - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharynx, respiratory tract after the nose to the trachea. Often referred to simply as "sore throat." Pharyngitis can also cause itching and sores in the throat and pain when swallowing.

According to the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), pharyngitis caused by strep throat is one of the most common reasons patients visit the doctor. Cases of pharyngitis often occurs especially when the rainy season. Pharyngitis is also the most frequent reason why people sick for a few days from work or from school activities. In order pharyngitis true in medicine, it is important to identify the cause. Pharyngitis may be caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

Causes of Pharyngitis
There are many viruses and bacteria that can cause pharyngitis include:

• the virus that causes measles
• adenovirus, which is the cause of the common cold
• the virus that causes chickenpox
• croup, which is a disease of children that are difficult to distinguish from whooping cough
• whooping cough

Viruses are the most common cause of sore throat. Pharyngitis is most commonly caused by viral infections such as colds, influenza, or mononucleosis. Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics, and the only treatment necessary to help alleviate the symptoms of the virus because basically it is "self-limited" that will heal by itself if the immune either.

Pharyngitis can also be caused by a bacterial infection although not as frequently virus. Bacterial infections require antibiotics. A bacterial infection that most often is by Streptococcus Group A rare cause of bacterial pharyngitis, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, and Corynebacterium.

Exposure to colds and flu can increase the risk for pharyngitis. This is especially true for people who have jobs in health care such as doctors and nurses, or those who have a history of allergies, and sinusitis. Exposure to cigarette smoke can also increase the risk of pharyngitis.

Are the Symptoms of Pharyngitis?
The symptoms that accompany pharyngitis vary depending on the underlying condition.
In addition to sore throat, dry, or itching, cold or flu can cause:

• sneezing
• cold
• headache
• cough
• feel exhausted
• aches
• shiver
• fever (fever, mild to high fever)

In addition to sore throat, mononucleosis symptoms include:

• swollen lymph nodes
• fatigue
• fever
• muscle pain
• limp
• loss of appetite
• Redness in the throat
• difficulty swallowing
• red throat with white patches or gray
• shiver
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• unusual taste in the mouth

How Pharyngitis Diagnosed?
If you experience symptoms of pharyngitis, the doctor will examine the throat. The doctor will also check if there are any white patches or gray, swelling, and redness in the pharynx. The doctor can also look at the ears and nose. To check for swelling of the lymph nodes, the doctor will press and inspect the side of your neck.

Throat culture
If the doctor suspects strep throat, the doctor will likely take a culture of the swab (smear) cells throat by using a cotton swab to take a sample of secretions and cells throat. Most doctors can perform this test quickly. Your doctor will tell within a few minutes if the test is positive for streptococcus. In some cases, the swab is sent to a laboratory for further testing and results can be seen at least 24 hours later.

Blood tests
If the doctor suspects other causes of pharyngitis, your doctor may recommend a blood test. This test can determine if you have a cause of mononucleosis. A complete blood count may be done to determine whether you have other types of infections.

Home Care
If the virus that causes pharyngitis, home care can help relieve symptoms. home care, including:

• drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration
• eat warm broth
• gargling with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt dissolved in 1 cup water)
• use filter air humidity
• rest until you feel better

For pain and fever, consider taking medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Lozenges may also help relieve pain and itching sensation in the throat.

Alternative medicine is sometimes used to treat strep throat. However, you should contact a physician before using alternative medicine in avoiding drug interactions or other health complications. Some herbal medications most commonly used include:

• honey
• ginger

Medical treatment
In some cases, medical treatment is required for pharyngitis. This is especially true if it is caused by a bacterial infection. For such cases, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. Penicillins are the most commonly prescribed treatment for a sore throat. It's important to spend all antibiotics prescribed to prevent infection relapse or worsening. All antibiotics usually expire within 7-10 days.

Prevention Pharyngitis
Maintain hygiene can prevent many cases of pharyngitis.

To prevent pharyngitis:

• avoid sharing food, drinks, and tableware
• avoid people who are sick
• wash your hands often, especially before eating and after coughing or sneezing
• use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available
• avoiding smoking and inhaling smoke

Most cases of pharyngitis can be treated at home independently. However, there are some symptoms that require a doctor's visit for further evaluation.

Visit your doctor if:

• You have a sore throat for more than a week
• You have a fever over 38 ° C
• swollen lymph nodes
• Has a new rash on the skin

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