How long does acute pharyngitis take to heal on its own?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 13, 2024
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Acute pharyngitis usually heals on its own in about 10 days under normal circumstances.

Acute pharyngitis is caused by viral or bacterial infection following weakened immunity and resistance. Symptoms include sudden onset of high fever with temperatures above 38.5°C, severe throat pain, hoarse voice, and a barking cough. In severe cases, the patient may experience suffocation and even death. Acute pharyngitis is more common in children, whose throat mucosa is relatively loose, making it especially prone to swelling during inflammatory infections.

In treatment, the patient first needs a routine blood test. If there is an increase in white blood cells, it suggests a bacterial infection, and oral antibiotics are required. If lymphocytes are increased, it indicates a viral infection, and the patient can be treated with oral ribavirin granules, which are effective.

(The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 3sec home-news-image

How long does acute pharyngitis take to heal on its own?

Acute pharyngitis usually heals on its own in about 10 days under normal circumstances. Acute pharyngitis is caused by viral or bacterial infection following weakened immunity and resistance. Symptoms include sudden onset of high fever with temperatures above 38.5°C, severe throat pain, hoarse voice, and a barking cough. In severe cases, the patient may experience suffocation and even death. Acute pharyngitis is more common in children, whose throat mucosa is relatively loose, making it especially prone to swelling during inflammatory infections. In treatment, the patient first needs a routine blood test. If there is an increase in white blood cells, it suggests a bacterial infection, and oral antibiotics are required. If lymphocytes are increased, it indicates a viral infection, and the patient can be treated with oral ribavirin granules, which are effective. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Acute pharyngitis how long to heal by itself

The recovery period for acute pharyngitis generally lasts about a week, but there is also some individual variation. If the inflammatory response is relatively localized and the subjective symptoms are not particularly pronounced, the recovery time can be shorter, roughly three to five days. If the inflammatory response is particularly severe and the patient's subjective symptoms are also more pronounced, the recovery period will relatively extend, possibly requiring more than a week. Firstly, it is important to consider timely treatment; if the inflammation is severe and bacterial infection is involved, the use of antibiotics should be considered. This can be supplemented with nebulization and the oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine. Regular follow-ups to observe the recovery status are necessary. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How to maintain daily care for pharyngitis

Pharyngitis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease. In daily life, it is first necessary to maintain a bland diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, refrain from smoking, and abstain from alcohol. In terms of treatment, most patients can opt for oral traditional Chinese medicine, and this can be supplemented with nebulization. Throughout the medication process, it is necessary to regularly revisit the ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) department to monitor the specific effects of the treatment. It is also advisable to minimize speaking. Frequent overuse of the voice can exacerbate the symptoms of pharyngitis and may even trigger an acute episode of chronic pharyngitis. Overall, pharyngitis can generally be well-managed and alleviated through these daily regimens and medical treatments. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What department should I visit for pharyngitis?

Pharyngitis is a common and frequent disease in otolaryngology head and neck surgery, so it is primarily necessary to visit the department of otolaryngology head and neck surgery for diagnosis and treatment. In hospitals with more specialized departments, one can also directly visit the pharyngology department for diagnosis and treatment. It is important to understand that there are many causes of pharyngitis, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease. Besides seeing an otolaryngologist, it might also be necessary to consult with gastroenterology or thoracic surgery, as these are related departments. If the pharyngitis is caused by an allergic disease and involves allergic factors, in addition to visiting otolaryngology, it may be necessary to consult other departments such as the department of allergic diseases or respiratory medicine, depending on the specific circumstances. In summary, the primary department to consult for pharyngitis is otolaryngology head and neck surgery.

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Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
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How to treat acute pharyngitis?

Acute pharyngitis is the acute inflammation of the mucosa and submucosal tissues of the pharynx, and it often comes with systemic symptoms. For patients without systemic symptoms or those who have mild symptoms, local treatments such as mouthwash with cleaning and sterilizing effects, various lozenges, or traditional Chinese medicine can be used. Through oral antiviral drugs or antibiotics, severe systemic symptoms such as high fever require bed rest, plenty of fluids, and soft foods. Antiviral drugs or antibiotics can be administered through the meridian pathways. If the patient has a high fever, physical methods to reduce fever can be used, as well as corticosteroids for reducing temperature.