How long does acute pharyngitis take to heal by itself?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 18, 2024
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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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Is acute pharyngitis serious?

Acute pharyngitis is a relatively common ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) disease. Whether it is severe or not depends on the extent of the inflammatory response. Generally, most patients are not too severe, mainly because it is caused by an acute bacterial or viral infection. In clinical practice, bacterial infections are more common. The main symptom is sudden throat pain. If the inflammatory response is more severe, it can cause more serious pharyngitis, which may affect swallowing and breathing, and cause edema in the mucous membrane of the throat. If it is particularly severe, fever may also occur. It is necessary to visit the ENT department to check the specific extent of infection and inflammation in the throat, conduct a routine blood test, and make a more accurate comprehensive assessment.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Symptoms of acute pharyngitis

The symptoms of acute pharyngitis are multifaceted. Initially, the onset of the disease is quite sudden. The main symptoms start with dryness, heat, and liver pain, which is the most common description by patients. Furthermore, there is a sensation of a foreign object in the throat, leading to exacerbated pain when coughing. This pain is particularly noticeable during swallowing, making it difficult to even eat or swallow saliva. Additionally, this pain can radiate to the sides, commonly causing ear pain when chewing or eating, resulting in both throat and ear pain. Systemic symptoms can resemble those of a cold, such as mild fever, high body temperature, headache, loss of appetite, and general weakness.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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What are the symptoms of pharyngitis?

There are many symptoms of pharyngitis, and the specific symptoms can vary from person to person. The most common ones include the following. The first is a foreign body sensation, which is a sensation of a foreign object in the throat, feeling like there is always something that cannot be coughed up or swallowed, which is very typical. Another one is the empty swallow syndrome, meaning that some people feel like there is something that cannot be swallowed when swallowing saliva without food. Empty swallowing refers to just swallowing saliva in this way, feeling more and more like there’s something stuck as one swallows, which is similar to the foreign body sensation and is also a manifestation of the swallowing action. The third symptom is a dry and itchy throat. Some people also experience symptoms such as feeling nauseous and wanting to gag when brushing their teeth in the morning. Therefore, the symptoms of pharyngitis do not manifest exactly the same in everyone; some people may experience several symptoms, while others may have one predominant symptom.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Symptoms of Chronic Pharyngitis

Chronic pharyngitis is a very common disease in otolaryngology, and the symptoms described by patients at the time of consultation are also diverse. The most common symptoms include dry throat, sore throat, and a foreign body sensation in the throat. Many people describe that they can neither cough it out nor swallow it down. Others say there is a feeling of obstruction when swallowing. This sensation of obstruction when swallowing refers to the feeling of blockage when simply swallowing saliva, but there is no problem with eating or drinking water, which is also called a feeling of obstruction during dry swallowing. Some people also experience notable pain, especially during acute episodes of chronic pharyngitis. Additionally, some experience nausea or retching while brushing their teeth in the morning, among other symptoms. Furthermore, pharyngitis often accompanies other primary diseases or symptoms, such as post-nasal drip, vomiting white sticky phlegm, and some people experiencing snoring during sleep, all of which are direct or indirect symptoms of pharyngitis.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can pharyngitis be cured?

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.)