What causes pharyngitis?
2023-12-11
In recent years, COVID-19 infection has been in a low-level epidemic state, and COVID-19 infection has not completely disappeared. This can be seen from the presence of positive patients in the ward from time to time. At the same time, COVID-19 and influenza have been circulating alternately, and recently there have even been some cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and herpetic pharyngeal infection. Infections such as isthmus can also cause pharyngitis. In addition to pathogenic infection, there are other non-infectious factors that cause strep throat.
- Acute upper respiratory tract infection
- Airway hyperresponsiveness disease
- Other diseases
The most common cause of strep throat is acute upper respiratory tract infection. Acute upper respiratory tract infection is a general term for a group of diseases, including the common cold, viral pharyngitis, laryngitis, herpetic angina, pharyngeal conjunctival fever, and bacterial pharyngeal tonsillitis. The main pathogens are viruses, a few are bacteria, and most can Self-healing.
Acute upper respiratory tract infections usually resolve on their own, and antitussives can be given to those with more obvious cough symptoms. However, when severe acute tonsillitis, acute laryngitis, or acute epiglottitis causes difficulty in breathing, you need to go to the hospital in time.
After an acute upper respiratory tract infection has healed, if you still have problems with itchy, dry throat and cough, it is likely to be an airway hyperresponsive disease. Airway hyperresponsiveness occurs when the airways exhibit excessive airway contraction in response to stimuli that normally elicit no or only a mild response.
The treatment of airway hyperresponsiveness requires separation from allergy-prone environments, staying away from allergens, and immune-enhancing treatment. In particular, children with poor respiratory mucosal immunity and incomplete development must avoid repeated infections and allergic coughs after repeated infections.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease can also easily cause pharyngitis. It is necessary to observe whether there are symptoms of acid reflux and belching at the same time.
Asthma, including cough variant asthma, requires hospital pulmonary function testing for diagnosis.
Lung cancer, tuberculosis, and pulmonary aspergillosis may cause cough. If it is accompanied by weight loss or hemoptysis, you must go to the hospital for treatment.
There are many causes of pharyngitis. If it is acute pharyngitis, it needs symptomatic treatment. If it causes difficulty in breathing, you need to go to the hospital for emergency treatment. If it is chronic and long-term pharyngitis, you need to go to the hospital to find the cause of chronic and long-term pharyngitis and then treat the cause. Avoid long-term coughing in young children to avoid developing childhood asthma.
Respiratory experts also recommend the following methods for dealing with strep throat symptoms:
- Moisturizing the throat: Drinking more warm water, warm boiled water, warm tea or warm water containing honey can relieve dryness and discomfort in the throat.
- Throat protection: Avoid smoking, drinking, and eating spicy food, avoid talking loudly, and speak as little as possible to avoid irritating the throat mucosa and aggravating inflammation.
- Use topical medications: You can use throat sprays or lozenges containing anti-inflammatory and analgesic ingredients, but please follow your doctor's recommendations and instructions. When choosing antibiotics, remember not to use them casually. For upper respiratory bacterial infections, young people usually choose cephalosporins, amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, and adults can choose antibiotics such as levofloxacin. Of course, they must be selected under the guidance of a doctor.
Finally, we need to be reminded that maintaining good living habits, adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and moderate exercise will help improve immunity and promote recovery.
