What to do about acute pharyngitis in infants?

Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

Updated on April 13, 2025

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If it is said that a baby develops acute pharyngitis, this condition requires a visit to the pediatrician for a routine blood test to check the severity of the condition in the throat. Timely examination combined with the doctor's clinical experience generally helps to judge the severity of the condition.

In terms of treatment, most patients can choose oral medications and nebulization therapy. During the treatment process, regular follow-ups are needed to observe the effects of the treatment. However, some patients may have more severe conditions and may need to consider hospitalization. The treatment period is generally around one week, during which fluctuations in the condition may occur.

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Written by Zhang Jun

Otolaryngology

1min 15sec

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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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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

53sec

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Do you need injections for acute pharyngitis?

Acute pharyngitis does not necessarily require injections. The decision to administer injections should consider the condition and the patient's own state comprehensively. Generally, for most patients with mild inflammatory responses and not particularly obvious symptoms, the first consideration is still drug treatment. Currently, the main treatments are oral antibiotics and traditional Chinese medicine. It is also recommended to complement treatment with nebulization. Attention should also be paid to diet; smoking and drinking alcohol should be avoided, as should spicy and irritating foods. It is preferable to stick to soft, liquid or semi-liquid diets, with lighter foods being better. If the inflammatory response is particularly severe and conservative treatment with oral medications is ineffective, then injections or intravenous therapies may be considered.

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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

46sec

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What are the symptoms of acute pharyngitis?

Acute pharyngitis is a relatively common ENT (ear, nose, and throat) disease with a variety of clinical symptoms. The most common symptoms include sore throat, a foreign body sensation in the throat, and fever. Some patients may experience swallowing obstruction and breathing difficulties, and there is considerable individual variability in specific symptoms. Generally, it is recommended to conduct a laryngoscopy and complete blood count to determine the specific degree and type of the inflammatory response. In terms of treatment, oral medication is primarily used, which can be supplemented with nebulization. If the inflammatory response is particularly severe and oral medication is ineffective, intravenous therapy may need to be considered.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian

Otolaryngology

50sec

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Is acute pharyngitis prone to recurrence?

Acute pharyngitis is a disease prone to recurrence and is very common in otolaryngology. The causes are mainly associated with the patient's long-term habits of smoking, drinking alcohol, exposure to colds, and consumption of spicy and irritating food, as well as cold drinks. Patients with acute pharyngitis may experience symptoms such as dry throat, itchy throat, sore throat, and a foreign body sensation in the throat during an episode. For patients with acute pharyngitis, it is important to avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and consuming spicy and irritating food in daily life to prevent recurrent symptoms. Additionally, rinsing with salt water can be beneficial in reducing inflammation and congestion of the mucous membranes in the throat.

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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

1min 9sec

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Which department should I go to for acute pharyngitis?

For acute pharyngitis, it is advisable to visit the otolaryngology department, as acute pharyngitis is primarily caused by an acute bacterial infection, mainly leading to throat pain. In severe cases, it can cause edema of the pharyngeal mucosa, affecting swallowing or breathing, and is one of the more common throat diseases. Regarding treatment, an indirect laryngoscopy should first be performed to assess the degree of inflammation in the pharyngeal mucosa, especially to determine if there are any obstructions in the throat. Additionally, routine blood tests and inflammatory protein tests should be conducted to help determine the type and extent of the inflammatory response. In terms of medication, treatment is generally dominated by antibiotics, preferably administered orally, and supplemented by nebulization and traditional Chinese medicine. Typically, the treatment period is about one week, but there are individual differences, so it is necessary to return to the otolaryngology department for follow-up to dynamically observe the recovery. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)