What Is Pharyngitis? Causes and Treatment

What Is Pharyngitis?
The pharynx is part of the digestive and respiratory tract located between the mouth and esophagus. Pharyngitis is inflammation of its mucosa and lymphoid tissue.

Pharyngitis can be acute or chronic.
Causes: most often viral — adenovirus, rhinovirus, parainfluenza, coronavirus, Epstein–Barr virus, cytomegalovirus.
Less often bacterial — streptococcus, neisseria, mycoplasma, chlamydia.
Chronic pharyngitis may result from ongoing infections or irritation from alcohol, smoke, and chemicals.

Symptoms:

• sore throat, burning sensation;

• dry cough, fever;

• enlarged cervical lymph nodes.

On examination, the mucosa is red and swollen; tonsils may be enlarged. Chronic pharyngitis often causes prolonged dry cough and throat dryness.

Diagnosis:
Performed via examination and pharyngoscopy. The doctor determines whether the infection is viral or bacterial and prescribes appropriate therapy.

Treatment:
Avoid very hot, cold, sour, or spicy foods; drink 1.5–2 liters of fluids daily. Avoid smoking.
Viral cases are treated with local antiseptics, sprays, and inhalations.
If bacterial origin is confirmed, antibiotics are prescribed.

Author: Khalida Nadirova, ENT Specialist, SƏHHƏT Clinic