Can acute pharyngitis heal itself?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on May 29, 2025
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Acute pharyngitis is a relatively common otorhinolaryngological disease, and the degree of inflammatory response and clinical symptoms vary greatly among individuals. If the inflammatory reaction is mild and the clinical symptoms are not particularly obvious, and the individual has good resistance, this condition might resolve on its own. However, if the clinical symptoms are severe and the inflammatory reaction is significant, this situation requires consideration of drug treatment. Common treatments include antibiotics and traditional Chinese medicines, often used in conjunction with nebulization. The treatment period is generally about a week. After medication treatment, it is necessary to regularly re-examine with a laryngoscope and perform routine blood tests to observe the specific recovery of the condition. Overall, most patients have good treatment outcomes. (Medication treatment should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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How to treat symptoms of acute pharyngitis?

Acute pharyngitis is a common disease in otolaryngology. The main symptoms of acute pharyngitis include sore throat, fever, cough, expectoration, and in severe cases, there may be coarse breathing, among other symptoms. It can be caused by bacterial infections, viral infections, as well as physical and chemical factors in the environment, and stimulation from dust. In such cases, if the body temperature rises above 39°C, it is necessary to reduce the fever. If there is throat pain and coughing, then antibiotics should be taken for treatment, along with some Chinese patent medicines that clear heat and detoxify, and gargling with salt water to maintain oral cleanliness. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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What is the fastest treatment for acute pharyngitis?

The treatment of acute pharyngitis mainly involves medication. First, the degree of the inflammatory response should be assessed. It is recommended to visit an otolaryngology specialist and perform an indirect laryngoscopy, as well as routine blood tests and inflammatory response protein tests, as these examinations can preliminarily determine the extent of inflammation. In terms of treatment, acute pharyngitis is generally caused by bacterial infection; oral antibiotics are usually the first choice for anti-infection treatment. Additionally, nebulization and traditional Chinese medicine can be considered for supplementary treatment. It is also necessary to follow a light diet, and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. With medication treatment, a re-evaluation is typically done after about three days to observe the recovery situation. The overall treatment period is approximately one week, but if the inflammatory response is particularly severe, it may be necessary to extend the treatment duration. (Note: Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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What should you avoid eating if you have acute pharyngitis?

In the diet for acute pharyngitis, patients need to eat as little as possible or avoid spicy and irritating foods, such as onions, ginger, garlic, fish, shrimp, crab, seafood, barbecue, and alcohol. They should also avoid acidic fruits, such as tangerines, grapefruits, and oranges, as these foods can cause sudden congestion and swelling of the mucous membrane in the throat. This can lead to increased throat pain, as well as sensations of a foreign body, obstruction, and burning in the throat. Acute pharyngitis occurs when a virus or bacteria invades due to lowered immunity and resistance in the body, causing symptoms in the throat. Patients may experience fever, swelling, pain in the throat, and a foreign body sensation, primarily characterized by painful swallowing. Treatment initially requires symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment, combined with nebulized inhalation, which has good therapeutic effects. A light diet and abstaining from smoking and alcohol will gradually lead to improvement.

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How many days does acute pharyngitis take to get better?

Acute pharyngitis generally begins to improve after about a week. Acute pharyngitis is a condition of the throat caused by viral or bacterial infection due to lowered immunity and resistance. Patients may experience sudden high fever with temperature above 38.5°C, severe throat pain predominately during swallowing. Additionally, symptoms such as dry throat, itchy throat, and a sensation of a foreign body in the throat may occur. Upon examination, swollen and congested soft palate and uvula can be observed, with dot-like pus plugs found on the surface and yellow secretions on the posterior pharyngeal wall. In terms of treatment, patients first need to undergo routine blood tests. If there is an increase in white blood cells, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment with oral antibiotics is required. If lymphocytes are elevated, symptomatic antiviral treatment is needed, along with nebulization inhalation and a light diet. The condition generally begins to improve gradually after a week. (Note: The use of medication should be carried out under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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What diet should someone with acute pharyngitis follow?

Acute pharyngitis is a relatively common ENT disease. Dietary recommendations mainly include light, soft, or semi-liquid foods, plenty of vegetables, and fruits. It’s advised to avoid spicy, irritant foods, allergenic foods, and excessively hard foods. Generally, patients with acute pharyngitis should visit an ENT department. Blood routine tests and laryngoscopy can be conducted to assess the specific condition of the disease. Treatment often includes the use of antibiotics to fight infection, and can be accompanied by nebulization. During the treatment process, regular check-ups are necessary to observe the recovery of the condition.