Symptoms of pharyngitis and cough

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on December 06, 2024
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Pharyngitis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease with various clinical symptoms. Common symptoms include cough, phlegm, sore throat, and a foreign body sensation in the throat. A small number of patients may experience fever, swallowing obstruction, and difficulty breathing. Therefore, it is necessary to visit the otolaryngology department after the onset of symptoms. Routine blood tests and laryngoscopy can be performed to help determine the specific cause and severity of the condition. Targeted treatment can then be administered, generally considering oral medications and possibly complemented with nebulization therapy. Regular follow-ups are necessary during the treatment process to monitor the recovery of the condition.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
49sec home-news-image

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 Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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What is the difference between acute pharyngitis and chronic pharyngitis?

The differences between acute and chronic pharyngitis are quite distinct. Acute pharyngitis comes on suddenly, and patients typically experience sudden high fever, severe throat pain, along with symptoms like dizziness, headache, cough, and nasal congestion. Examination may reveal swelling and prominent congestion in the soft palate and uvula, and yellowish secretions on the pharyngeal walls. In contrast, chronic pharyngitis primarily presents with localized symptoms and lacks systemic symptoms. Patients may experience dryness, pain, itchiness in the throat, sensations of a foreign body or obstruction, burning sensation, and irritative cough. In terms of treatment, acute pharyngitis initially requires a routine blood test to determine whether the infection is bacterial or viral, and symptomatic treatment can then lead to recovery. Chronic pharyngitis mainly requires the management of gastrointestinal function, along with a mild diet avoiding spicy and irritating foods, physical exercise, and avoiding colds. Additionally, nebulized inhalation can be used to alleviate local congestion and edema, gradually relieving symptoms and preventing recurrence.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What department should I go to for pharyngitis?

It is recommended to visit the Department of Otorhinolaryngology for pharyngitis, as the main manifestation of pharyngitis is the inflammatory response in the pharyngeal area, which may be related to bacterial or viral infections. Additionally, it could be caused by one's lifestyle, diet, or external irritants leading to inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa. Common symptoms include recurrent pain in the throat, a foreign body sensation or burning sensation in the throat, and during the acute inflammatory phase, some patients may also experience fever or have difficulties swallowing and breathing. These symptoms fall within the scope of diagnosis and treatment by the Department of Otorhinolaryngology. Therefore, it is advised to visit this department for pharyngitis, and some individuals may further need to consider undergoing laryngoscopy and routine blood tests for targeted treatment.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Causes of Acute Pharyngitis

The causes of acute pharyngitis are various. Clinically, the most common cause is acute bacterial infection, followed by acute viral infections. It may also be related to poor resistance of the body or induced by a cold. Therefore, it is essential to first identify the specific pathogenic causes and conduct routine blood tests to examine the degree of redness and swelling in the throat. In terms of treatment, oral medication is generally preferred. Additionally, the use of traditional Chinese medicine and nebulization therapy can be considered for their supplementary therapeutic effects. After identifying the causes, timely treatment is necessary, along with regular follow-ups to monitor the recovery process.

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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.)