Pharyngitis symptoms and treatment

What is pharyngitis?

Pharyngitis is the inflammation of the mucous membranes that cover the back of the throat, i.e. the pharynx. It is most often characterized as a simple sore throat and is distinguished into: [1]

• Acute: when caused by a virus or bacteria.
• Chronic: when caused by factors such as allergies or smoking.

Viral pharyngitis

It is usually caused by viruses that cause:

• the common cold
• the flu
• infectious mononucleosis
• the coxsack

Bacterial pharyngitis

It is usually caused by Streptococcus A.

Symptoms

The symptoms that accompany pharyngitis may vary depending on the cause.

The main symptoms are: [2]

1. sore throat
2. difficulty in swallowing
3. dry/scratchy throat
4. redness at the back of the throat

Of course, when it comes to a common cold or flu, there may also be:

• sneezing
• headache
• fever (especially high in flu)
• cough
• fatigue
• myalgias/arthralgias

When it comes to infectious mononucleosis, these symptoms coexist:

• swollen lymph nodes
• severe fatigue
• fever
• muscle pains
• general malaise
• loss of appetite
• skin rash

Strep throat may cause:

• difficulty swallowing
• red throat with white or gray “plugs”
• red “dots” on the palate or throat
• swollen lymph nodes
• fever
• loss of appetite
• motion sickness
• unusual taste in the mouth
• general malaise

How many days does pharyngitis last?

Most of the time, the duration of pharyngitis is directly related to the cause:[3]

• If it is due to the flu virus it may last 2-7 days.
• If caused by streptococcus it may last 5-7 days.
• When it is caused by the common cold virus, the duration of symptoms lasts for a maximum of 10 days.

In a more general context when it comes to acute pharyngitis (the most common form) the symptoms subside within 10 days.

By comparison, chronic pharyngitis persists for much longer—often for several weeks.

Treatment

The first and most important step in the treatment of pharyngitis is to diagnose what causes it, that is, whether it is a bacteria or a virus (regarding acute pharyngitis). [4]

1. In bacterial infection: the doctor will prescribe antibiotic treatment. In this way, from the very first 24 hours the clinical picture will begin to improve.
2. In viral infection: here antibiotics are ineffective and the treatment method differs. Generally, pharyngitis goes away when the virus has run its course.

Of course, in both cases it is recommended:

• Vitamins for faster recovery (e.g. vitamin C, zinc lozenges, etc.)
• Use of propolis spray (locally on the back of the neck)
• Throat syrup
• Gargle with salt water
• Consuming a lot of fluids
• Administration of analgesics
• Lozenges with anesthetic and soothing action
• Avoiding smoking
• Use a humidifier if the environment is dry

Is pharyngitis contagious?

Both when it comes to a viral and bacterial infection, pharyngitis is contagious: [6]

• Through droplets in the air (coughing, sneezing)
• Through contact with patient body fluids (saliva)

Therefore, due to the easy contagious spread, it is recommended to stay home if you experience symptoms of infection.

Do I have laryngitis or pharyngitis?

Laryngitis is the inflammation of the larynx.

This is a more specific condition than pharyngitis with similar symptoms. Thus, the differential diagnosis requires the intervention of a physician.[7]

When to see the doctor

In general, pharyngitis, when it is viral, goes away on its own.

We would recommend that you see a doctor immediately for optimal management of the infection if it persists for more than 1 week and you notice: [8]

• High fever (lasting more than 2-3 days)
• You have trouble sleeping because of your sore throat
• You have severe difficulty swallowing
• Spot white “plugs” on the back of your neck
• You have swollen lymph nodes
• You notice blood in your sputum.