In treatment, therapy is prescribed to eliminate the causes of the disease, suppress its mechanisms of development and eliminate the symptoms.
Medication in treatment of pharyngitis
If the bacterial (streptococcal) nature of the disease is proven, treatment of pharyngitis includes antibiotics:
- phenoxymethylpenicillin in tablets, and if it is not possible to take it – prescribe cefixime for third-generation cephalosporins;
- to reduce the frequency of taking penicillin tablets – amoxicillin is prescribed, but should not be used if infectious mononucleosis is suspected;
- If the above groups of antibiotics are not possible – josamycin, fewer other macrolides or lincosamides are prescribed.
- The duration of treatment of pharyngitis with antibiotics is 10 days, except for azithromycin, which is taken orally for 5 days. If the fever persists for 2 to 3 days after taking the antibiotic, it is replaced with another group of medications.
- Soluble forms are convenient for antibiotic therapy in children.
- If the inflammation is due to candidiasis, antifungal drugs are prescribed and if there is an allergic reaction, antihistamines are prescribed.
Local remedies for pharyngitis
With viral pharyngitis, as well as in addition to bacterial treatment, local drugs are prescribed:
- Antiseptics prevent the growth of pathogens, clean the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. These include Faringosept (lozenges), Antiangin-Formula (lozenges), Septolete neo (lozenges), Vocadine, and Miramistin solutions, Gexasprey and Gexoral aerosols, Faringosept tablets.
- Antibiotics for topical therapy: Gramycidin C, Grammidin.
- Anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents – Strepsils Intensive, Tantum Verde.
- Herbal preparations: Romazulan (with chamomile), Rotokan, Eucalyptus (with eucalyptus).
- Local immune stimulants – Imudon.
Often a single product contains more than one active ingredient:
It is best to choose these medicines with a doctor’s prescription. In children, chlorhexidine-containing drugs and herbal remedies are not recommended for use in people with allergies.
Treatment of pharyngitis at home
Often, treatment for pharyngitis does not require long-term medication. In mild cases, home treatment is sufficient:
- a diet that includes warm soft foods and plenty of fluids;
- hotfoot baths with mustard powder;
- drinking warm milk with honey;
- gargle with solutions of salt, soda, furacillin, chamomile, eucalyptus, calendula;
- inhalation with mineral water or soda solution;
- Quit smoking.
With atrophic pharyngitis, it is useful to rinse the throat with peach oil, glycerin lugol solution, iodine saline solution.
Physiotherapy in pharyngitis
Treatment of pharyngitis in adults and children is supplemented by physiotherapy. They are prescribed during the recovery period after an acute form of the disease or in remission in a chronic course. Electrophoresis with potassium iodide, ultra-high-frequency treatment, ultrasound procedures, application of paraffin or ozokerite to the underarm area.
Effective treatments for hypertrophic granular chronic pharyngitis are laser therapy and radiofrequency ablation. These methods remove the granular tissue that forms in the back of the throat.
Treatment with chronic pharyngitis in balneological and seaside resorts is beneficial.
Surgery in pharyngitis
Surgery is performed to eliminate the causes of pharyngitis, as well as in cases accompanied by diseases of the throat and nose, which worsen its course. The following operations can be ordered:
- repair of the nasal wall, removal of adenoids and polyps;
- removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy) if chronic tonsillitis is accompanied by disease;
- Surgical treatment of chronic sinusitis.
Possible complications and prognosis in pharyngitis
Pharyngitis responds well to treatment, so it is rarely accompanied by complications. The prognosis of viral pharyngitis is favorable – the disease ends with recovery.
In the streptococcal nature of the disease, its course may be complicated by endocarditis or glomerulonephritis. If the infection spreads to adjacent tissues, a pharyngeal abscess may form.
If the inflammation of the throat is a manifestation of another disease (HIV infection, candidiasis, reflux esophagitis, etc.), regardless of treatment, it will continue until the cause is eliminated.
Prevention of pharyngitis
Hygiene helps prevent many cases of pharyngitis. To avoid this disease, you need:
- use only separate containers, only one bottle of drinking water for yourself;
- Avoid acute respiratory infections;
- Wash your hands often, especially before eating and after coughing or sneezing;
- disinfect hands with alcohol wipes if soap and water are not available;
- Avoid smoking and inhaling tobacco smoke.
Attention! The medicines listed above are for reference only. If you have any symptoms, consult your doctor!
