Hello everyone, namaste and greetings.
Let's discuss some important points on the common causes of sore throat: Acute pharyngitis.
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Sore throat simply refers to the scratchy, painful sensation that occurs on the posterior and lateral walls of our pharynx. Pharynx is a conduit present in our neck in between the oral cavity and esophagus.
Acute pharyngitis occurs when the mucosal lining in the surface of this pharynx becomes inflamed.
Signs and symptoms of acute pharyngitis
a) Fever
b) Painful swallowing
c) Runny nose
d) Cough
e) Enlarged cervical lymph nodes
f) Fatigue
Common causes:
a) Bacterial infections: The most common cause is the streptococcus and staphylococcus group of bacteria, sometimes superseded by other anaerobic infections like Pepto streptococcus and bacteroides.
b) Allergies: Allergic reactions from pollens, dust mites, pets, danders can cause the mucus from the nose to pour in the pharynx. As it is sticky, it may lead to mucus irritation and pharyngitis.
c) Acid reflux: Patients with gastro esophageal reflux diseases are at high risk of pharyngitis because of the acidic fluid causing irritation in the pharynx.
d) Chronic mouth breathers: Chronic mouth breathers at a high risk for sore throat.
e) Malignancy: Sometimes malignant conditions of the pharynx like squamous cell carcinoma may present with chronic throat infections.
Management
The treatment of pharyngitis is directed by its causative agent.
a) Antibiotics: If there is a clear-cut evidence that the pharyngitis is caused by bacterial infections, broad spectrum antibiotics like amoxicillin can be used.
b) Anti- histamines: Anti allergic drugs like levocetrizine and fexofenadine can be used to relieve the nasal congestion and post- nasal drip.
c) NSAID gargles: Non- steroidal anti inflammatory gargles like Diclofenac gargles and benzadymine gargles can be used.
d) vocal rest: To prevent vocal fatigue and laryngopharyngeal mucosal irritation.
e) Proton pump inhibitors: Medicines like pantoprazole and rabeprazole can be used to prevent the reflux.
Note
One important thing to consider is that the pharyngitis is not always due to bacterial infections and so the use of antibiotics should be limited to prevent the antibiotics resistance.
Only if the patient is clinically suspicious like having fever, presentation of pharyngeal pus points and enlarged neck nodes, we can safely use the broad spectrum antibiotics till the pharyngeal culture and sensitivity result arrives.
That' s all for today. See you with next health related contents.
