Can pharyngitis be cured?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 09, 2024
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There are several types of pharyngitis, and the overall approach to treatment is primarily focused on symptom control. The more common types of pharyngitis include acute pharyngitis, chronic pharyngitis, and allergic pharyngitis. During the acute phase, it is advisable to consider a complete blood count to determine whether the infection is bacterial or viral. Once the type of infection is confirmed, targeted anti-infection treatment can be administered. For example, antibiotics are used for bacterial infections, and antiviral medications are considered for viral infections. For chronic pharyngitis, treatment generally involves nebulization and the use of traditional Chinese medicines. If the condition is mild, regular check-ups may suffice without the need for long-term medication use. However, for any type of pharyngitis, treatment currently focuses on controlling symptoms, stabilizing the condition, and alleviation. It is difficult to achieve a cure or prevent recurrence completely. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor, based on the specific situation.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How to deal with chronic pharyngitis?

Chronic pharyngitis is a relatively common disease in otorhinolaryngology. First, it is necessary to assess the specific extent of inflammation. It is advisable to visit an otorhinolaryngology clinic for a laryngoscopic examination. If the inflammatory response is mild and personal symptoms are not particularly noticeable, regular follow-up and observation are generally recommended. Additionally, dietary control is necessary, including avoiding smoking, alcohol, and spicy or irritating foods. If the inflammatory response is significant and personal symptoms are severe, medical treatment should be considered. Currently, treatment mainly involves nebulization and oral administration of traditional Chinese medicines, along with self-regulation. Some patients may also consider traditional Chinese medicine treatments. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor based on specific conditions.)

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Does pharyngitis spread?

Pharyngitis refers to the acute and chronic inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, submucosal tissue, and local lymphatic tissue. Clinically, it mainly presents as a sore throat or a foreign body sensation in the throat, among other discomforts. Acute pharyngitis should be noted for its certain contagiousness, primarily due to viral infections, bacterial infections, or a combination of both, thus it is contagious. Appropriate precautions such as isolation measures, like wearing masks, should be considered. As for chronic pharyngitis, it is not contagious, so special isolation measures are not necessary. Regarding pharyngitis accompanying other diseases, such as reflux pharyngitis which may also involve Helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach, some literature reports suggest that Helicobacter pylori can be contagious during chronic pharyngitis, but this has not been fully confirmed and is only based on some reports. In summary, acute pharyngitis is confirmed to be contagious, while chronic pharyngitis is currently not contagious.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How long does acute pharyngitis take to heal by itself?

The recovery time for acute pharyngitis is generally about a week. Some patients can recover on their own, which typically takes about a week. However, some patients cannot recover on their own, especially those with severe acute inflammatory responses and prominent clinical symptoms, particularly when accompanied by significant acute bacterial or viral infections. In such cases, medication treatment is likely necessary. Relying solely on one's natural immunity might be relatively ineffective; therefore, considering timely targeted medication treatment is necessary. Additionally, the use of nebulization and traditional Chinese oral medications, regular blood tests, and laryngoscope examinations to monitor recovery are recommended. It is also advised to maintain a light diet and avoid smoking and drinking. (Note: Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor based on the specific circumstances.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How is chronic pharyngitis diagnosed?

Examinations for chronic pharyngitis are mainly divided into two categories. The first is imaging endoscopy, and the second is blood tests. Imaging endoscopies include CT scans of the neck or larynx. Indirect laryngoscopy or fiber laryngoscopy are also types of endoscopic examinations. The main purpose of these exams is to assess whether there are any organic lesions in the pharyngeal and neck area, such as new growths in the pharynx or cysts and other tumorous changes. Blood tests primarily involve routine blood tests and inflammatory response proteins. The main purpose is to determine if there is an acute bacterial or viral infection and to assess the level of inflammatory response. Generally, these two types of examinations, when considered together, can definitively diagnose the condition.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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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.