Coughing is generally caused by chronic pharyngitis or acute pharyngitis.

Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
Updated on May 02, 2025
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Coughing in clinical practice can be triggered by many factors and is quite complex. Conditions like chronic pharyngitis and acute pharyngitis can cause various degrees of cough symptoms. Therefore, clinically, it cannot be stated definitively whether a cough is caused by chronic pharyngitis or acute pharyngitis. The factors involved are not limited to these two; it could be due to physical and chemical irritants, or other inflammatory lesions in the respiratory system, all of which can cause varying degrees of coughing in patients. It is also common for many patients to have both chronic pharyngitis or acute pharyngitis along with conditions like acute bronchitis or chronic bronchitis. Thus, a singular cough cannot be pinned down to either chronic or acute pharyngitis without considering the related medical history, clinical manifestations, and some auxiliary examinations to make a proper diagnosis.

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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 Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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How to take care of pharyngitis

Pharyngitis in usual care primarily involves identifying the causes of pharyngitis and preventing these triggers for gradual improvement and to avoid recurrent attacks. Common causes observed clinically include: First, congestion in the throat caused by changes in weather, smog, and smoke irritation. Second, symptoms in the throat caused by repeated acute inflammatory irritations, such as acute pharyngitis, acute tonsillitis, acute rhinitis, and sinusitis. Recurrent irritation by purulent secretions can lead to congestion and edema of the mucous membrane in the throat area. Third, long-term intake of spicy food leading to disturbances and disorders in the digestive system, commonly seen in stomach cancer, gastritis, gastric ulcers, and duodenal ulcers. Repeated irritation by acidic reflux and gases can also cause symptoms in the throat area. Therefore, in treatment, patients should first eliminate these triggers for gradual improvement and healing.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Is nasopharyngitis pharyngitis or rhinitis?

Nasopharyngitis is caused by chronic inflammation in the nasal cavity of the patient, which leads to sore throat, burning sensation, rhinorrhea, and other related symptoms at the junction of the posterior nostrils and the nasopharynx. Nasopharyngitis is a borderline disease between pharyngitis and rhinitis. The primary treatment methods include antibiotic anti-inflammatory symptomatic treatment and steroids to reduce mucosal edema. Additionally, patients with rhinitis should avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and consuming spicy and irritating foods in daily life to prevent worsening of nasopharyngitis symptoms. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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How to treat acute pharyngitis?

Acute pharyngitis is caused by viral or bacterial infections following a decrease in the body's immunity and resistance. Patients will experience sudden high fever with body temperature above 38°C, severe throat pain, and may also have symptoms of dry throat, itchy throat, foreign body sensation in the throat, obstruction, breathing difficulties, and hoarseness. Upon examination, congestion and swelling of the soft palate and uvula can be observed, and yellow secretions may be found on the throat wall. In terms of treatment, patients should first go to the hospital for a routine blood test, which generally indicates a bacterial infection. Patients can take oral cephalosporin antibiotics, which are effective. Treatment also involves nebulizer inhalation to alleviate throat congestion and swelling. A light diet, quitting smoking, and abstaining from alcohol can contribute to gradual improvement and recovery within about a week. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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What are the symptoms of chronic pharyngitis?

Chronic pharyngitis is caused by a variety of reasons; it results in congestion and edema of the pharyngeal mucosa and submucosal tissues, along with proliferation of lymphatic follicles. Patients may experience dryness, itching, foreign body sensation, obstruction, burning sensation, and irritative cough in the throat. Severe cases may lead to bloody sputum. Common causes can include repeated acute inflammatory stimuli such as tonsillitis, acute pharyngitis, or long-term smoking, alcohol consumption, spicy food intake, digestive system disorders, and gastroesophageal reflux, all of which can cause congestion and edema of the pharyngeal mucosa and submucosal tissues, as well as lymphatic follicle proliferation. Examination with a laryngoscope can reveal significant congestion in the pharyngeal mucosa, uvula, and uvula, and lymphatic follicles can be found on the posterior pharyngeal wall, at the base of the tongue, and in the pharyngeal recesses. Treatment initially requires identifying and avoiding the cause. Nebulization inhalation can be used to alleviate local congestion and swelling, and adopting a light diet and quitting smoking and drinking can gradually lead to improvement and prevent recurrence.