What is Pharyngitis (Sore Throat)?
Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the back of the throat or pharynx.
This inflammation can cause discomfort, dryness, and difficulty swallowing.
Pharyngitis can be caused by both infectious and non-infectious causes. Pharyngitis is a common condition that rarely progresses to serious illness.
This inflammation usually heals on its own in about a week.
Symptoms of Pharyngitis (Sore Throat)
The incubation period for pharyngitis is the time from exposure to the infection until the first symptoms appear, lasting approximately 2-5 days.
The symptoms of pharyngitis that appear can vary, depending on the condition that causes it.
1. Virus
Pharyngitis caused by viruses will cause sufferers to cough, experience rhinorrhea, diarrhea, fatigue, conjunctivitis, mild fever, headache, chills, and muscle pain.
2. Bacteria
Bacterial pharyngitis causes sufferers to experience headaches, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, difficulty swallowing, and a red throat accompanied by white spots.
3. Mushrooms
Pharyngitis can also be caused by fungi. However, cases of pharyngitis due to fungi are fewer than the other two causes.
People with pharyngitis caused by fungi will usually experience symptoms that are almost similar to others.
However, sufferers usually experience changes to the tongue, such as the appearance of white plaque.
In addition, people with pharyngitis will experience angular cheilitis. This condition occurs when the corners of the lips become inflamed, causing sores.
Risk Factors for Pharyngitis (Sore Throat)
Some factors that can cause someone to get pharyngitis are cold air, excessive alcohol consumption, decreased immunity, and consumption of foods that are lacking in nutrition.
Therefore, if you don’t want to get pharyngitis, avoid these risk factors.
Causes of Pharyngitis (Sore Throat)
Bacteria and viruses are the causes of pharyngitis. Most are caused by viruses.
There are various viruses that can trigger this disease, such as rhinovirus, adenovirus, coxsackievirus, coronavirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and orthomyxoviridae.
The bacteria that cause pharyngitis are group A streptococci, Corynebacterium, Arcanobacterium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or chlamydia pneumoniae.
Meanwhile, Candida albicans is a type of fungus that can infect and trigger this disease.
Fun Facts
1. Pharyngitis is often caused by viruses, with rhinovirus being the leading cause.
2. Streptococcal infection in pharyngitis can lead to serious complications such as rheumatic fever if left untreated.
What Does Research Say?
Quoting from research published by the Canadian Family Physician journal, pharyngitis is a condition that causes a sore throat and can be caused by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection.
Viral infections usually resolve on their own, while bacterial and fungal infections require antimicrobial therapy.
One cause that needs to be watched out for is Streptococcus pyogenes, because it can cause serious complications such as rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis.
Accurate diagnosis is essential in the management of pharyngitis. Rapid antigen detection tests should only be performed if there is concern about antibiotic use.
Doctors are advised to be cautious in prescribing antibiotics, as delaying antibiotic administration may increase the risk of S. pyogenes infection.
Diagnosis of Pharyngitis (Sore Throat)
Diagnosis of pharyngitis is usually made by observing the symptoms that appear, such as sore throat, fever, and difficulty swallowing.
To determine the cause, the doctor can perform several tests, including:
1. Throat swab
One commonly used method is a throat swab, which involves taking a sample from the throat using a small cotton-like instrument.
This sample is then tested for bacteria or viruses that may be causing the infection.
2. Bacterial culture
In addition, a bacterial culture can also be performed. In this test, a sample taken from the throat is placed in a special medium to see if any bacteria grow.
If there is, the type of bacteria can be identified, so the doctor can provide appropriate treatment, such as antibiotics if the cause is bacteria.
3. Blood test
Your doctor may also suggest blood tests to help determine if there are signs of infection in your body, such as an increased white blood cell count.
This blood test can help detect infections caused by bacteria or viruses.
All of these tests aim to provide an accurate diagnosis, so that the treatment given can be appropriate to the cause of pharyngitis.
Complications of Pharyngitis (Sore Throat)
Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the throat that usually heals on its own, but if not treated properly, this condition can cause serious complications.
When a throat infection is left untreated or not treated properly, it can spread to other parts of the body and cause bigger health problems.
Some complications that can occur due to untreated pharyngitis include:
Sinusitis
An infection in the throat can spread to the sinuses, leading to inflammation of the sinus cavities, causing headaches, nasal congestion, and pain around the face.
otitis media
Untreated throat infections can spread to the middle ear, causing ear infections that can be very painful, accompanied by fever and hearing loss.
Epiglottitis
This is a very serious condition in which the epiglottis (the structure that protects the airway) become inflamed, causing difficulty breathing that requires immediate medical attention.
In addition, if pharyngitis is caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus, it can lead to further complications such as rheumatic fever or other serious infections of the heart, kidneys, or joints.
Therefore, it is very important to treat pharyngitis properly so that the infection does not spread and cause bigger health problems.
Pharyngitis (Sore Throat) Treatment
In some cases, medical treatment is essential to treat pharyngitis. Pharyngitis caused by viruses cannot be treated with medication.
Medication is used to reduce symptoms. Usually, the use of corticosteroid medication for 1-2 days to reduce the risk of symptoms, such as complaints of pain when swallowing, eating, or drinking.
The use of fever-reducing drugs is also recommended to treat the fever experienced.
Bacterial pharyngitis can be treated with antibiotics and various medical treatments recommended by a doctor.
It is important for sufferers to take antibiotics until they are finished as recommended by the doctor to prevent the infection from coming back. Sufferers are also advised to rest at home and drink enough.
Fungal pharyngitis is usually experienced by the elderly and immunocompromised. Symptoms can be treated with the use of fluconazole and
The following self-care can help relieve discomfort if you have pharyngitis. Some things that can be done are:
- Do not smoke, as this will worsen the condition of pharyngitis.
- Avoid eating spicy, hot, and oily foods.
- Drink more fluids to soothe your throat.
- Drink plenty of warm drinks.
Prevention of Pharyngitis (Sore Throat)
Here are steps you can take to prevent pharyngitis:
- Avoid sharing eating utensils and other equipment with people who have pharyngitis.
- Use a mask to cover your mouth and nose when you are driving or living in a polluted environment or high exposure to smoke.
- If the house is dry and dusty, keep the house clean with a vacuum cleaner or use a machine to make the house more humid.
- Enough rest
- Wash your hands frequently, both before and after eating. Using hand sanitizer can help kill germs and bacteria on your hands.
- Keep your living environment free from cigarette smoke.
- Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke.
When to See a Doctor?
In adults, you should see a doctor immediately if you experience symptoms such as:
- Severe sore throat that lasts longer than 7 days.
- Difficulty swallowing, breathing, and opening the mouth.
- Earache and fever higher than 38 degrees Celsius.
- There are blood spots in the saliva
- Hoarseness that lasts more than 2 weeks.
In children, immediately take the child to a pediatrician to get the right sore throat medication, especially if more severe signs appear, such as:
- Difficulty breathing and swallowing.
- Blood appears in the saliva.
Proper handling can minimize the impacts that occur, so that the healing process can occur more quickly.
