What is the difference between acute pharyngitis and chronic pharyngitis?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on May 15, 2025
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The differences between acute and chronic pharyngitis are quite distinct. Acute pharyngitis comes on suddenly, and patients typically experience sudden high fever, severe throat pain, along with symptoms like dizziness, headache, cough, and nasal congestion. Examination may reveal swelling and prominent congestion in the soft palate and uvula, and yellowish secretions on the pharyngeal walls. In contrast, chronic pharyngitis primarily presents with localized symptoms and lacks systemic symptoms. Patients may experience dryness, pain, itchiness in the throat, sensations of a foreign body or obstruction, burning sensation, and irritative cough. In terms of treatment, acute pharyngitis initially requires a routine blood test to determine whether the infection is bacterial or viral, and symptomatic treatment can then lead to recovery. Chronic pharyngitis mainly requires the management of gastrointestinal function, along with a mild diet avoiding spicy and irritating foods, physical exercise, and avoiding colds. Additionally, nebulized inhalation can be used to alleviate local congestion and edema, gradually relieving symptoms and preventing recurrence.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Is acute pharyngitis serious?

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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How to deal with chronic pharyngitis?

Chronic pharyngitis is a relatively common disease in otorhinolaryngology. First, it is necessary to assess the specific extent of inflammation. It is advisable to visit an otorhinolaryngology clinic for a laryngoscopic examination. If the inflammatory response is mild and personal symptoms are not particularly noticeable, regular follow-up and observation are generally recommended. Additionally, dietary control is necessary, including avoiding smoking, alcohol, and spicy or irritating foods. If the inflammatory response is significant and personal symptoms are severe, medical treatment should be considered. Currently, treatment mainly involves nebulization and oral administration of traditional Chinese medicines, along with self-regulation. Some patients may also consider traditional Chinese medicine treatments. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor based on specific conditions.)

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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 Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How to completely cure chronic pharyngitis?

Chronic pharyngitis currently cannot be completely cured. Generally, the approach is to control symptoms, alleviate the condition, and improve clinical manifestations. With the existing medical methods, whether it is Chinese medicine or Western medicine, the focus is on control, as current measures cannot achieve a complete cure. Chronic pharyngitis is primarily caused by chronic inflammation in the throat area. This disease is a relatively common chronic illness, and the nature of the disease determines its recurrent nature, which may also be accompanied by fluctuations in clinical symptoms. Overall, the treatment mainly involves oral medications, supplemented by nebulization. Lifestyle and dietary adjustments are also necessary. It is a common disease and does not pose a significant risk to overall health. Regular follow-up with laryngoscope examinations generally allows for control and stabilization of the condition.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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The differences between chronic pharyngitis and acute pharyngitis

There is a fundamental difference between the two; chronic pharyngitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, while acute pharyngitis is an acute inflammatory disease. Furthermore, the symptoms of chronic pharyngitis are not very prominent in clinical settings, presenting only as a foreign body sensation or other discomforts. In contrast, the symptoms of acute pharyngitis are quite significant, such as sore throat, and may even include systemic symptoms like chills and fever. Thirdly, during examination of chronic pharyngitis, one can observe congestion of the pharyngeal mucosa, which is a type of chronic congestion. However, the congestion in acute inflammation is acute and very pronounced. There are also significant differences in treatment. For chronic inflammation, the clinical approach mainly involves administering heat-clearing and detoxifying traditional Chinese medicines, and sometimes no medication is used at all; just focus on hydrating locally without the need for any special medication. In contrast, acute pharyngitis requires medication to manage the acute inflammatory symptoms. In summary, there are fundamental differences between chronic and acute pharyngitis, whether it is in symptoms, treatment, or the pathological state of the mucosa.