What is superinfectious pharyngitis?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. CCII Nguyen Van Thai - Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Vinmec Danang International General Hospital. Thai doctor has more than 17 years of treatment experience, especially in the field of Head and Neck Surgery.
Pharyngitis is a fairly common disease in community life, from children to adults. The causative agent of the disease is mainly a virus, but if there is an additional bacterial infection, it will become a superinfected pharyngitis. At this time, the disease will last more days and complicated treatment, sometimes improperly, easily causing dangerous complications.

1. What is superinfectious pharyngitis?

Pharyngitis is an infection of the entire pharynx. Sometimes this term also includes tonsillitis, as this is also a structure on the walls of the pharynx. Signs and symptoms of pharyngitis include sore throat, difficulty swallowing, swollen lymph nodes on either side of the neck, observed red throat, and possibly two enlarged, pus-filled tonsils.
Most cases of pharyngitis are caused by common viral infections of the respiratory tract. However, when this condition is present in the presence of pathogenic bacteria, it is called superinfectious pharyngitis.
Accordingly, the treatment needs to be appropriate to the cause of the sore throat. This depends on prompt and accurate diagnosis. If treated late or improperly, the disease becomes severe and can cause serious complications, the prognosis can sometimes be life-threatening.

2. Causes of superinfectious pharyngitis

In most cases, pharyngitis is caused by viruses that cause illness in the upper respiratory tract. However, when the body's resistance is reduced, it is easy to be infected with viruses, the possibility of additional bacterial infection is completely inevitable.
The most common bacteria that cause superinfection is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus). This is the bacteria that causes strep throat. Strep throats and other bacteria can also cause superinfection. In addition, people with poor hygiene habits, reduced resistance, living in cold, dry air... are also very susceptible to disease.

3. Manifestations of superinfected pharyngitis like?

A sore throat is always the first sign of a sore throat. This symptom is often accompanied by a cold, runny nose, and stuffy nose. In addition, the patient also has other symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or painful swallowing, hoarseness due to laryngitis, painful swelling of the lymph nodes on either side of the neck and fever, chills, and body aches.
When there are signs of infection, the patient will be tired, haggard face, dry lips, dirty tongue. Examination of the throat revealed bad breath, red swollen throat wall, two enlarged tonsils, sores or many white and yellow pus clusters.
If strep throat is not treated with group A streptococcus or another strain of streptococcus or if antibiotic treatment is inadequate, other organ problems such as rheumatic fever may occur. joints, which manifests as inflammation in the heart, kidneys, joints, and other tissues.
In addition, complications of superinfected pharyngitis cause the formation of pus-filled foci, spreading the infection to lower respiratory tract infections, otitis media, purulent meningitis... In some cases, systemic sepsis is also present. septic shock and life-threatening.

4. How to diagnose and treat superinfected pharyngitis

The diagnosis of superinfected pharyngitis should be based on systemic symptoms and local examination of the oropharynx. In addition to direct observation, the doctor sometimes needs to take a cotton swab to swab the secretions of pus on the pharynx or tonsils if strep throat is suspected. Specimens collected through throat swabs are sent to the laboratory for culture and identification of pathogenic bacteria to select appropriate antibiotics.
If the pharyngitis is caused by a virus alone, the treatment of superinfected pharyngitis mainly consists of rest, recovery, and symptom relief. Specifically, patients are prescribed pain relievers and fever reducers, encouraged to drink lots of water and enhance nutrition through small, pureed meals for easy chewing and swallowing. Besides, the patient should also be encouraged to gargle with salt water, which helps fight infection or inflammation.
However, if it is a superinfected pharyngitis, antibiotics will be mandatory to kill the bacteria. At this time, it is necessary to have a positive attitude to adhere to the treatment, take the medicine for a full day and at the right dose to prevent complications, especially rheumatic fever and kidney disease, especially to prevent recurrence, antibiotic resistance. .
If antibiotic treatment does not improve, the infection recurs, and two enlarged tonsils obstruct the airway and feeding, the indication for surgery should be considered. Today, along with the development of medicine, many modern tonsillectomy methods have been born, minimally invasive, less painful, less bleeding and patients can be discharged in the same day.

5. Prevention of superinfected pharyngitis

The prevention of superinfected pharyngitis in particular or pharyngitis in general is to focus on improving resistance. The diet needs a variety of ingredients to strengthen the immune system such as iron, zinc, vitamins A, C, D; Drink enough water, drink fruit juices to add vitamins and minerals. Thorough body hygiene, clean hands, wear a mask when sneezing. Besides, people also need to build the habit of exercising, playing sports as well as other activities in a fresh natural environment...
In short, superinfected pharyngitis is a common disease. yes but completely treatable and preventable. To do so, it is necessary to go to the doctor early and adhere to the right treatment on the right day, at the right dose, along with regularly improving the general condition, preventing disease, and protecting the health of the whole family.
Vinmec International General Hospital with a team of qualified and experienced doctors in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases, including superinfected pharyngitis, along with a system of medical equipment continuously invested, updated with new and most effective treatment methods in the world, is a safe and reasonable choice for patients with superinfected pharyngitis and those suspected of having this disease.

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