How many days does acute pharyngitis take to get better?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on November 19, 2024
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Acute pharyngitis generally begins to improve after about a week. Acute pharyngitis is a condition of the throat caused by viral or bacterial infection due to lowered immunity and resistance. Patients may experience sudden high fever with temperature above 38.5°C, severe throat pain predominately during swallowing. Additionally, symptoms such as dry throat, itchy throat, and a sensation of a foreign body in the throat may occur. Upon examination, swollen and congested soft palate and uvula can be observed, with dot-like pus plugs found on the surface and yellow secretions on the posterior pharyngeal wall. In terms of treatment, patients first need to undergo routine blood tests. If there is an increase in white blood cells, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment with oral antibiotics is required. If lymphocytes are elevated, symptomatic antiviral treatment is needed, along with nebulization inhalation and a light diet. The condition generally begins to improve gradually after a week. (Note: The use of medication should be carried out under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Do you need injections for acute pharyngitis?

Acute pharyngitis does not necessarily require injections. The decision to administer injections should consider the condition and the patient's own state comprehensively. Generally, for most patients with mild inflammatory responses and not particularly obvious symptoms, the first consideration is still drug treatment. Currently, the main treatments are oral antibiotics and traditional Chinese medicine. It is also recommended to complement treatment with nebulization. Attention should also be paid to diet; smoking and drinking alcohol should be avoided, as should spicy and irritating foods. It is preferable to stick to soft, liquid or semi-liquid diets, with lighter foods being better. If the inflammatory response is particularly severe and conservative treatment with oral medications is ineffective, then injections or intravenous therapies may be considered.

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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.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Is acute pharyngitis contagious?

Acute pharyngitis can be contagious. Generally, it can spread through the respiratory or digestive systems. If the patient shows symptoms of fever and throat pain, isolation is required. Typically, isolation lasts for 3-5 days. Acute pharyngitis is caused by a viral or bacterial infection, leading to symptoms in the throat as well as systemic symptoms. The patient may experience sudden high fever, with body temperature above 38°C, and severe throat pain. Other symptoms include dry throat, sore throat, itchy throat, sensation of a foreign body in the throat, and a feeling of obstruction. During an examination with an electronic laryngoscope, the mucous membranes in the throat may be found to be congested and significantly swollen, with pus-like secretions present on the posterior pharyngeal wall. For treatment, an examination using an electronic laryngoscope and a routine blood test are first required. If there is an increase in white blood cells, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment and oral antibiotics are needed. If lymphocytes are elevated, symptomatic antiviral treatment is required, and recovery can generally occur within about a week. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can acute pharyngitis heal by itself?

Acute pharyngitis may recover on its own, but there are individual differences. This mainly relates to the degree of the acute inflammatory response, the severity of the condition itself, and the patient's own resistance. If the inflammatory response is mild, the subjective symptoms are not obvious, and the patient's own resistance is strong, it is indeed possible for recovery to occur on its own. The recovery time is approximately 3 days to a week. If the inflammatory response is particularly severe, the patient's resistance is poor, and the subjective symptoms are quite noticeable, it is recommended to seek timely treatment. A routine blood test should be conducted to assess the specific degree and type of inflammation. Treatment should primarily involve oral medication, supplemented by nebulization. Some patients may also consider traditional Chinese medicine treatments. Regular follow-ups are necessary, and the treatment period is approximately one week.

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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.