Does acute pharyngitis require rest?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on February 15, 2025
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Acute pharyngitis is a relatively common ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) disease, primarily caused by acute bacterial infection. After the onset, it is crucial to ensure rest as overexertion can exacerbate the severity of acute pharyngitis and may also affect the treatment outcome. In terms of pharmacotherapy, oral medications are commonly used, and can be combined with nebulizer therapy. During the treatment process, regular follow-ups and observation of the treatment effects are necessary. However, a small portion of patients with severe conditions may not respond well to oral medications, necessitating consideration of infusion therapy. The treatment period is generally around one week.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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What should I do about a dry cough from acute pharyngitis?

Acute pharyngitis is a common disease in the field of otolaryngology, with many patients experiencing symptoms such as dry cough, foreign body sensation in the throat, sore throat, coughing, and phlegm. Upon the onset of these symptoms, it is first recommended to use appropriate oral or intravenous antibiotics for anti-inflammatory symptomatic treatment to alleviate congestion and edema of the pharyngeal mucosa. Additionally, honeysuckle, wild chrysanthemum, Sterculia lychnophora (fat sea), or drinking water infused with pomelo and ginseng can be very effective in treating dry cough caused by pharyngitis. In daily life, it is also important to avoid smoking and alcohol, spicy and irritating foods, and cold drinks to keep the pharyngitis under control.

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

Acute pharyngitis is caused by the invasion of bacteria or viruses due to weakened immunity and resistance in the body, leading to systemic symptoms and symptoms in the throat area. Patients may experience sudden high fever, with body temperature above 38.5°C, dizziness, headache, dryness and pain in the throat, as well as a sensation of obstruction and foreign body in the throat. Examination may reveal significant congestion and swelling in the throat, with yellow secretions adhering to the soft palate and pharyngeal wall. For treatment, patients initially need a complete blood count test; if there is an increase in white blood cells, oral antibiotics such as cefixime and amoxicillin are needed. If lymphocytes are elevated, oral administration of ribavirin granules is required, which has good effects. Nebulization can also be used concurrently to alleviate local congestion and swelling, and recovery can generally begin within about a week. Note: Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Is acute pharyngitis contagious?

Acute pharyngitis can be contagious. Generally, it can spread through the respiratory or digestive systems. If the patient shows symptoms of fever and throat pain, isolation is required. Typically, isolation lasts for 3-5 days. Acute pharyngitis is caused by a viral or bacterial infection, leading to symptoms in the throat as well as systemic symptoms. The patient may experience sudden high fever, with body temperature above 38°C, and severe throat pain. Other symptoms include dry throat, sore throat, itchy throat, sensation of a foreign body in the throat, and a feeling of obstruction. During an examination with an electronic laryngoscope, the mucous membranes in the throat may be found to be congested and significantly swollen, with pus-like secretions present on the posterior pharyngeal wall. For treatment, an examination using an electronic laryngoscope and a routine blood test are first required. If there is an increase in white blood cells, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment and oral antibiotics are needed. If lymphocytes are elevated, symptomatic antiviral treatment is required, and recovery can generally occur within about a week. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Does acute pharyngitis have phlegm?

The symptoms of acute pharyngitis are numerous and can cause coughing and expectoration, as well as sore throat, foreign body sensation in the throat, fever, swallowing obstruction, and difficulty breathing. There is significant individual variation in specific symptoms. After the onset of the disease, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngology department, where routine blood tests and indirect laryngoscopy can be conducted to assess the severity of the condition. In terms of medication treatment, oral medications are commonly used at present, and can be combined with nebulizer therapy. During the treatment process, regular follow-ups are needed to observe the recovery of the condition. Most patients will gradually improve after timely medical treatment.