Pharyngitis Dubai | 20 February 2022
Pharyngitis and tonsillitis are throat infections that cause inflammation. If the tonsils are mainly affected, it is called tonsillitis. If the throat is mainly affected, it is called pharyngitis. If you have both, it’s called pharyngotonsillitis. These infections are spread by close contact with others. Most cases happen during the winter or colder months.
What causes pharyngitis and tonsillitis?
There are many causes of throat infections. Viruses are the most common cause and antibiotics will not help. Causes of throat infections include:
– viruses (most common)
– bacteria such as strep
– fungal infections
– parasitic infections
– cigarette smoke
– other causes
What are the symptoms of pharyngitis and tonsillitis?
The symptoms of pharyngitis and tonsillitis depend greatly on what’s causing it. For some people, symptoms may start quickly. For others, symptoms start slowly. These are the most common symptoms of pharyngitis and tonsillitis:
– sore throat
– fever (low-grade or high-grade)
– headache
– loss in appetite
– not feeling well
– nausea
– vomiting
– stomach aches
– painful swallowing
– redness or drainage in the throat
How are pharyngitis and tonsillitis diagnosed?
In most cases, it is hard to tell the difference between a viral sore throat and a strep throat based on a physical exam. But it is important to know if the sore throat is caused by strep bacteria. Then antibiotics are needed to help prevent the complications that can happen with these bacteria. As a result, most people with the above symptoms will get a strep test and throat culture to find out if it is an infection caused by strep. This will be done using a throat swab in the healthcare provider’s office.
How are pharyngitis and tonsillitis treated?
Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. If bacteria are not the cause of the infection, the treatment is often more for comfort. Antibiotics will not help treat viral sore throats. Treatment may include:
– acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and fever
– drinking more fluids
– throat lozenges
– gargling with warm saltwater
– antibiotics are prescribed if the cause of the infection is bacterial.
Dr Barbara Karin Vela is an International Member of Royal College Of General Practitioners, UK
Pharyngitis Dubai | 20 February 2022