Tonsillopharyngitis Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Alternative Names

Acute pharyngitis. Strep throat.

Definition :

Acute infection of the pharynx and tonsils.

The pharynx is a muscular tube that connects and mucous nose and mouth to the trachea and esophagus.Tonsils, commonly known as angina, lymphatic tissue clusters are located on both sides of the oropharynx in the soft palate; constitute the first barrier of defense against pathogens from the airways or oropharynx.

How the disease occurs

Pharyngitis is an infectious disease acquired by contagion, either through the air (coughing or sneezing) or by direct contact (exchange of saliva, contact with contaminated objects, intimate contact)

The most common cause of acute tonsillitis tonsil colonization by virus that usually affects the respiratory tract, other viruses such as mononucleosis responsible (or kissing disease) herpes or HIV also cause tonsillitis.

The second most common cause of acute tonsillitis amygdala colonization by bacteria that normally come from the skin, oropharynx and upper respiratory tract. The most common is strep throat caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus.

Factors such as drinking cold liquids or eating ice cream, exposed to drafts, etc., are not causes of acute faringoamigadalitis although they can cause inflammation of the mucosa of the pharynx or tonsil.

Symptoms of illness

The incubation period of the disease ranges from 12 hours to 5 days from the occurrence of infection.

Symptoms vary among patients and can be mild, moderate or severe.

Pharyngitis caused by virus is characterized by:

• Gradual onset and progressive worsening
• Mild fever (usually less than 39 º C)
• Sore throat moderate
• Presence of small ganglia in the neck
• Redness of the oropharynx and tonsils
• Mild to moderate increase size of one or both tonsils.
• Slight malaise.
• It is often accompanied by other symptoms such as runny nose breathing, coughing and red eyes.

Pharyngitis caused by bacteria is characterized by:

• Sudden onset and malaise
• High fever (usually above 39 ° C)
• Enlarged glands in the neck, being painful on palpation.
• It is common for other symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting and / or abdominal pain.
• Very reddened oropharynx and tonsils, enlargement of one or both tonsils with a presence on the surface of red dots (small hemorrhages), pockets of pus (bacteria) or white patches.

Disease diagnosis

The disease diagnosis is based on symptoms presented by the patient and the exploration of the throat.

Sometimes it is necessary to perform additional diagnostic tests such as a blood test or taking a swab of the pharynx or tonsil to pinpoint the germ responsible.

Disease Treatment

Treatment of virus produced by faringoamigadalitis is symptomatic by using antipyretics, analgesics to control fever and pain. We suggest taking food and drinks cold temperate crushed or at room temperature.The antiseptic mouthrinses several times a day can prevent colonization of the pharynx or tonsils by bacteria.

Treating farinngoamigdalitis produced by bacteria requires the use of a specific antibiotic against germ causing the infection, and symptomatic treatment through the use of antipyretics, analgesics to control fever and pain. We suggest taking food and drinks cold temperate crushed or at room temperature.

Infections that occur with significant malaise and hard for the passage of air through the oropharynx require hospitalization for treatment.

Surgical removal of the tonsil, tonsillectomy, is reserved for highly selected patients.

Prognosis

Most of the pharyngitis has a good prognosis and usually resolve one within 7-10 days with proper treatment.

Pharyngitis usually caused by viruses usually resolves spontaneously within several days without sequelae.

Pharyngitis caused by bacteria usually resolves with appropriate antibiotic therapy within a few days. The farinfoamigadilitis untreated strep can lead to rare complications such as rheumatic fever or acute glomerulonephritis.