Is acute pharyngitis serious?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 22, 2024
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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 Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can pharyngitis be cured?

There are several types of pharyngitis, and the overall approach to treatment is primarily focused on symptom control. The more common types of pharyngitis include acute pharyngitis, chronic pharyngitis, and allergic pharyngitis. During the acute phase, it is advisable to consider a complete blood count to determine whether the infection is bacterial or viral. Once the type of infection is confirmed, targeted anti-infection treatment can be administered. For example, antibiotics are used for bacterial infections, and antiviral medications are considered for viral infections. For chronic pharyngitis, treatment generally involves nebulization and the use of traditional Chinese medicines. If the condition is mild, regular check-ups may suffice without the need for long-term medication use. However, for any type of pharyngitis, treatment currently focuses on controlling symptoms, stabilizing the condition, and alleviation. It is difficult to achieve a cure or prevent recurrence completely. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor, based on the specific situation.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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The difference between acute pharyngitis and chronic pharyngitis

The differentiation between acute pharyngitis and chronic pharyngitis mainly involves the following aspects: First, the onset duration. Generally, acute pharyngitis has a short onset, often sudden, and typically lasts about a week; whereas chronic pharyngitis tends to have a longer duration of illness, possibly involving repeated episodes, usually lasting from one to three months or more. Second, in terms of clinical symptoms, acute pharyngitis usually presents sudden onset of throat pain, which can be relatively severe; chronic pharyngitis may involve pain, but it is generally milder and recurrent, fluctuating, with some patients experiencing a sensation of a foreign body or itchiness in the throat. Third, it can be diagnosed through laryngoscopic examination.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Symptoms of acute pharyngitis

The symptoms of acute pharyngitis are multifaceted. Initially, the onset of the disease is quite sudden. The main symptoms start with dryness, heat, and liver pain, which is the most common description by patients. Furthermore, there is a sensation of a foreign object in the throat, leading to exacerbated pain when coughing. This pain is particularly noticeable during swallowing, making it difficult to even eat or swallow saliva. Additionally, this pain can radiate to the sides, commonly causing ear pain when chewing or eating, resulting in both throat and ear pain. Systemic symptoms can resemble those of a cold, such as mild fever, high body temperature, headache, loss of appetite, and general weakness.

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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 Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Does pharyngitis cause a fever?

Pharyngitis generally involves fever symptoms in acute cases. Acute pharyngitis results from a lowered immune and resistance response, leading to viral or bacterial infections that cause both local symptoms in the throat and systemic symptoms. Patients may experience high fever, with body temperatures above 38°C (100.4°F), and severe throat pain, primarily during swallowing, leading to refusal to eat due to intense throat pain. Additionally, patients may feel a blockage or foreign body sensation in the throat. Upon examination with an electronic laryngoscope, the mucous membrane in the throat area can be seen as congested and swollen, especially around the soft palate and uvula. Pus-filled secretions may also be present on the posterior pharyngeal wall. Regarding treatment, if the patient's temperature exceeds 38°C, antipyretic medications are required; if below 38°C, wiping the body with warm water can be used. Anti-inflammatory treatment should also be administered based on symptoms, and recovery can generally be expected within a week. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)