Common types of pharyngitis

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Le Van Quang - Ear, Nose Throat Doctor - Department of General Surgery - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital. BSCKI. Le Van Quang is an expert in the field of ENT with 15 years of experience.
According to statistics, sore throat is a very common disease, accounting for 40-65% of the population depending on the region, region, living and living conditions. The disease is especially common when the weather changes seasons. In addition, there are many different forms of pharyngitis such as acute pharyngitis, chronic pharyngitis, congestive pharyngitis..., so we need to distinguish clearly to find the right and most appropriate treatment.

1. Cause

Up to 60-80% of pharyngitis is caused by viruses. Then came bacteria: most commonly pneumococcus, Hemophilus Influenzae, staphylococci and most dangerously group A hemolytic streptococci (accounting for about 20%); due to fungi in special conditions, due to allergies stemming from reflux syndrome; exposed to toxic physical and chemical factors, often working in a dusty environment...

2. Common types of pharyngitis

2.1. Acute pharyngitis Acute pharyngitis is a fairly common disease, which can appear on its own, but often occurs with VA, tonsillitis, rash, influenza, measles, diphtheria, whooping cough, vincent, scarlet fever or some blood diseases. The disease is easily transmitted through contact through the nose, throat or saliva. Clinically, it is often divided into two types: red pharyngitis and white sore throat.

Acute pharyngitis is a very common disease in the cold season. Doctors usually diagnose acute pharyngitis based on systemic symptoms such as chills, chills accompanied by body aches (when sore throat is caused by a virus), appearance of an infection syndrome such as fever, dry lips, tongue dirty (when sore throat is caused by bacteria). Other symptoms include a burning sensation in the throat; sore throat, pain when swallowing; first stage dry cough then cough with sputum; May be accompanied by hoarseness (if inflammation spreads down the larynx).
2.2. Chronic pharyngitis Chronic pharyngitis is a diffuse inflammation of the pharynx, very common and often associated with rhinitis, chronic sinusitis or sometimes with chronic laryngitis and tracheobronchitis. Chronic pharyngitis is presented in 3 forms: exudative, hypertrophic and atrophic. The typical form is diffuse chronic pharyngitis, localized chronic pharyngitis including chronic VA and chronic tonsillitis.
The main cause is chronic rhinosinusitis, especially posterior sinusitis. Regular exposure to dust, lime dust, chemical vapors, cement dust and irritants such as tobacco, alcohol... In addition, due to local problems such as allergies, joint organs, liver failure , diabetes...
Doctors usually diagnose chronic pharyngitis based on systemic symptoms. A typical example is diffuse chronic pharyngitis, which often causes the patient to feel a burning sensation in the throat, dry throat, itching and congestion in the throat. These sensations are very evident in the morning upon awakening. Patients often have to try to cough, sputum, and clear throat to loosen phlegm; when swallowing, there is a feeling of entanglement and pain; cough and sore throat; dull voice. Patients who have a habit of drinking, smoking or talking a lot, the above symptoms are increased.
2.3. Congestive pharyngitis Congestive pharyngitis appears quite common during the season change. The erratic weather makes the body unable to adapt quickly, which can easily affect health, reduce resistance, lead to damage to the respiratory system, causing congestive pharyngitis. In addition, the disease is also common in people with liver failure, endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal disorders. This type of sore throat is quite dangerous and needs to be treated quickly.
Patients with congestive pharyngitis often have a burning sensation in the throat accompanied by itching, coughing episodes. Cough usually occurs at bedtime. In order for the treatment process to be effective, it is necessary to determine the right cause to have the right treatment.
2.4. Pseudomembranous pharyngitis, also known as diphtheria pharyngitis, is a fairly rare form of pharyngitis. The cause of pseudomembranous pharyngitis is when the body is affected by the Klebs-Loeffler bacillus. The typical tell-tale sign is that in the pharynx mucosa will appear a thick, gray-white pseudomembranous membrane that adheres firmly to the pharynx mucosa and is difficult to peel. acute laryngitis. Patients can also have a high fever above 38.5 degrees Celsius. The disease can appear at different ages, but from 2 to 7 years old is the most common age to get sick.
2.5. Strep throat is a sore throat caused by Streptococcus bacteria. Anyone of any age or gender can get strep throat. However, the age at which the disease is most common is in children between the ages of 5 and 15. This form of pharyngitis is very dangerous, if not detected early and treated promptly, it can lead to complications such as nephritis, acute otitis media, tonsil abscess, rheumatic fever. Patients often have symptoms such as vomiting, headache, enlarged tonsils. Symptoms are often more severe than viral pharyngitis.
The above are the most common types of sore throat that, if not completely treated when the disease begins, will turn into a chronic stage that is difficult to treat and dangerous. Therefore, when you have the first signs and symptoms, you should immediately go to a medical facility to be examined and have the most appropriate treatment plan.

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