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Acute pharyngitis
Does acute pharyngitis recur easily?
Relatively easy. Acute pharyngitis is an acute inflammatory disease of the pharyngeal mucosa, and acute pharyngitis can also be part of an upper respiratory tract infection. Clinically, the main manifestations of acute pharyngitis are pain in the throat, and severe cases may exhibit symptoms like chills and fever. We can observe that the mucous membrane of the throat is highly congested, and there may even be purulent secretions. After treating acute pharyngitis clinically, it is relatively easy for it to recur. This is because our usual diet of spicy and irritating foods, or foods that are too cold or too hot, can adversely stimulate the mucous membrane of the throat. At the same time, if we are prone to catching colds, the cold itself will affect the mucous membrane of the pharynx, thus making acute pharyngitis clinically prone to recurrence.
Which part to massage for acute pharyngitis?
Massage for acute pharyngitis, generally speaking, is not particularly effective, so it is not recommended in this regard. Acute pharyngitis is mainly due to acute bacterial or viral infections, leading to inflammation. The common clinical symptoms include sudden throat pain, swelling, and a foreign body sensation. If it is more severe, there may also be difficulty breathing. In such cases, it is first recommended to visit an ENT department to examine the extent of inflammation in the throat and conduct a routine blood test. If the inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection, the use of antibiotics should be considered; if it is due to a viral infection, antiviral drugs should be considered. At the same time, it is recommended to use nebulization and take oral proprietary Chinese medicines for adjunct therapy.
Symptoms of acute pharyngitis
The symptoms of acute pharyngitis are quite numerous, mainly due to bacterial infections, which are sudden. This easily leads to sore throat, foreign body sensation, and burning sensation. Some patients may have a severe inflammatory response, causing fever, and possibly even high fever. Due to significant throat swelling and pain, some patients may also experience difficulties in normal breathing and swallowing, leading to shortness of breath and a sensation of swallowing obstruction. Overall, the treatment is primarily focused on anti-infection. In addition, consideration can be given to combining nebulization and traditional Chinese medicine for treatment. The treatment period is about one week, and a bland diet is necessary, avoiding spicy and irritating foods, with regular ENT follow-ups. (For specific medication, please take drugs under the guidance of a professional physician and do not medicate blindly.)
Is acute pharyngitis contagious?
Acute pharyngitis is an acute infectious inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, submucosal tissue, and local lymphatic tissue. Acute pharyngitis can occur independently or as part of an upper respiratory tract infection. In its early stages, acute pharyngitis is primarily a viral infection, or a mixed infection of viruses and bacteria. In the later stages of acute pharyngitis, bacterial infection often occurs secondarily. Acute pharyngitis is contagious and tends to occur mainly in winter or spring. The contagion is not by reverse transmission but is generally infectious. Wearing masks or avoiding close contact can generally prevent it, and special isolation measures are usually unnecessary for prevention.
The difference between acute pharyngitis and chronic pharyngitis.
The difference between acute pharyngitis and chronic pharyngitis mainly lies in the following aspects: The first is the onset time. Acute pharyngitis generally refers to a sudden inflammatory reaction of the throat, usually lasting for a short duration, about a week, and generally does not exceed a week. Conversely, chronic pharyngitis lasts longer, possibly recurring with repeated throat pain and a foreign body sensation, but the symptoms are generally not very severe, lasting about three months or more, primarily characterized by repeated occurrences. The second aspect is the symptoms, which differ in the mildness of throat pain. Chronic pharyngitis generally involves mild throat pain, and there may also be a sensation of a foreign body in the throat. Acute pharyngitis, on the other hand, is mainly characterized by acute throat pain, with relatively short duration but severe symptoms. Third, it can be determined through a routine blood test. Acute pharyngitis often involves acute bacterial or viral infections, possibly with elevated white blood cells. Chronic pharyngitis generally results from non-bacterial, non-viral infections, with blood tests usually being normal. These aspects together can generally provide a basic diagnosis.
The differences between chronic pharyngitis and acute pharyngitis
There is a fundamental difference between the two; chronic pharyngitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, while acute pharyngitis is an acute inflammatory disease. Furthermore, the symptoms of chronic pharyngitis are not very prominent in clinical settings, presenting only as a foreign body sensation or other discomforts. In contrast, the symptoms of acute pharyngitis are quite significant, such as sore throat, and may even include systemic symptoms like chills and fever. Thirdly, during examination of chronic pharyngitis, one can observe congestion of the pharyngeal mucosa, which is a type of chronic congestion. However, the congestion in acute inflammation is acute and very pronounced. There are also significant differences in treatment. For chronic inflammation, the clinical approach mainly involves administering heat-clearing and detoxifying traditional Chinese medicines, and sometimes no medication is used at all; just focus on hydrating locally without the need for any special medication. In contrast, acute pharyngitis requires medication to manage the acute inflammatory symptoms. In summary, there are fundamental differences between chronic and acute pharyngitis, whether it is in symptoms, treatment, or the pathological state of the mucosa.
Does acute pharyngitis cause fever?
Acute pharyngitis may cause a fever, but overall, the proportion of cases that develop a fever is relatively small. This is mainly because acute pharyngitis is caused by acute bacterial infections, with a small number of patients possibly experiencing concurrent acute viral infections leading to inflammation. Generally, the common symptoms include sudden onset of sore throat which may affect breathing or swallowing, such as a feeling of obstruction or a foreign body sensation in the throat. Some patients may experience fevers, typically seen in those with more severe inflammatory responses or who have been ill for a longer time without timely treatment. Generally, the fever is mild, though a small number of patients may experience high fever. The main treatment method is anti-infection therapy, and if the body temperature exceeds 38.5°C, it can be combined with antipyretic drugs. (Please consult a professional physician for medication use, and do not medicate blindly.)
How long does it take for the follicles of acute pharyngitis to subside?
If it is just a simple case of acute pharyngitis causing lymph follicles, generally, the regression time is about one to two weeks. However, some patients may experience persistent lymph follicles after another outbreak of acute pharyngitis. Or, if there has been chronic pharyngitis before, the likelihood of proliferation of lymph follicles is relatively higher. Firstly, it is important to assess the specific degree and symptoms. If one does not feel significantly uncomfortable, regular laryngoscopic examinations are usually sufficient. If symptoms of pharyngitis are present, it is advisable to use oral medications and nebulization therapy. Overall, it does not pose a significant risk to health; it is just necessary to regularly monitor and observe any changes in the condition.