Does acute pharyngitis cause coughing?

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Acute pharyngitis is a common otolaryngological disease, with its main symptoms including sore throat, fever, dry throat, itchy throat, and primarily coughing. The main cause of acute pharyngitis is the infection of bacteria or viruses, which leads to the proliferation and congestion of the pharyngeal mucosa, along with the proliferation of lymphatic follicles, causing the patient to feel a foreign body sensation in the throat and triggering irritative coughing. In daily life, it is necessary to avoid spicy and stimulating food as well as cold drinks. Additionally, drinking honeysuckle tea and monk fruit-infused water can significantly alleviate the symptoms of acute pharyngitis.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can you smoke with acute pharyngitis?

Acute pharyngitis is an acute inflammatory disease of the pharyngeal mucosa, submucosal tissue, and local lymphatic tissue. Initially, it is a viral infection or a mixed infection of viruses and bacteria; in later stages, when secondary infections occur, it may entirely turn into a bacterial infection. During acute pharyngitis, there is pain in the pharyngeal region, and the pharyngeal mucosa becomes congested and swollen. We must advise patients not to smoke as it further irritates and exacerbates the congestion and swelling of the pharyngeal mucosa, worsening the condition of acute pharyngitis. Smoking can even cause the infection in the pharynx to spread to the lower airways, leading to tracheitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia; therefore, smoking should be avoided during acute pharyngitis.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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What are the symptoms of acute pharyngitis?

Acute pharyngitis is caused by the invasion of bacteria or viruses due to weakened immunity and resistance in the body, leading to systemic symptoms and symptoms in the throat area. Patients may experience sudden high fever, with body temperature above 38.5°C, dizziness, headache, dryness and pain in the throat, as well as a sensation of obstruction and foreign body in the throat. Examination may reveal significant congestion and swelling in the throat, with yellow secretions adhering to the soft palate and pharyngeal wall. For treatment, patients initially need a complete blood count test; if there is an increase in white blood cells, oral antibiotics such as cefixime and amoxicillin are needed. If lymphocytes are elevated, oral administration of ribavirin granules is required, which has good effects. Nebulization can also be used concurrently to alleviate local congestion and swelling, and recovery can generally begin within about a week. Note: Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
1min 9sec home-news-image

Which department should I go to for acute pharyngitis?

For acute pharyngitis, it is advisable to visit the otolaryngology department, as acute pharyngitis is primarily caused by an acute bacterial infection, mainly leading to throat pain. In severe cases, it can cause edema of the pharyngeal mucosa, affecting swallowing or breathing, and is one of the more common throat diseases. Regarding treatment, an indirect laryngoscopy should first be performed to assess the degree of inflammation in the pharyngeal mucosa, especially to determine if there are any obstructions in the throat. Additionally, routine blood tests and inflammatory protein tests should be conducted to help determine the type and extent of the inflammatory response. In terms of medication, treatment is generally dominated by antibiotics, preferably administered orally, and supplemented by nebulization and traditional Chinese medicine. Typically, the treatment period is about one week, but there are individual differences, so it is necessary to return to the otolaryngology department for follow-up to dynamically observe the recovery. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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What should I do about a dry cough from acute pharyngitis?

Acute pharyngitis is a common disease in the field of otolaryngology, with many patients experiencing symptoms such as dry cough, foreign body sensation in the throat, sore throat, coughing, and phlegm. Upon the onset of these symptoms, it is first recommended to use appropriate oral or intravenous antibiotics for anti-inflammatory symptomatic treatment to alleviate congestion and edema of the pharyngeal mucosa. Additionally, honeysuckle, wild chrysanthemum, Sterculia lychnophora (fat sea), or drinking water infused with pomelo and ginseng can be very effective in treating dry cough caused by pharyngitis. In daily life, it is also important to avoid smoking and alcohol, spicy and irritating foods, and cold drinks to keep the pharyngitis under control.