Also commonly referred to as ‘sore throat’, pharyngitis is said to be the most common cause of visits to the ENT doctor and missed work days. Characterized by some pain in the back of the mouth, it’s the very definition of many people as being ill. In most cases, it also comes with some scratchiness and difficulty in swallowing.

While the condition in itself is not life-threatening, it can also come with a wide range of other serious conditions. It can also be highly contagious, depending on your underlying condition. These make it crucial to address right away.

Causes of Pharyngitis

Like the other conditions that involve some swelling in and around the oral cavities, pharyngitis is also typically caused by a viral or bacterial infection. A few of the most common examples of these are the following:

• Adenovirus or common colds
• Influenza virus
• Coxsackie virus
• Mononucleosis virus
• Measles
• Whooping cough
• Croup
• Group A streptococcus
• Gonorrhea and chlamydia (in rare cases)

Some people are also more likely to get sore throat than others. For example, those who are often exposed to folks with viral infections have higher risks of contracting similar condition and pharyngitis consequently. Those who are also often exposed to secondhand smoke can expect to get this condition quite often.

Signs and Symptoms

Aside from experiencing pain on your throat, here are the other telltale signs of pharyngitis:

• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Malaise
• Joint pains
• Cough
• Headache
• Chills
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Rashes
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Difficulty in swallowing

It’s always a good idea to see an ENT doctor if you have the mentioned symptoms. As this condition is usually caused by an infection and can be contagious, treating it properly and immediately is a must.

Treating Pharyngitis

If you’ve been diagnosed with sore throat, you don’t have to worry about having to stay at the hospital. This condition is treatable at home.

The most basic home treatment techniques you should do include:

• Drink plenty of fluids. This will help you avoid becoming dehydrated which is common when you’re running a fever.
• Gargle with warm salt water. This helps kill harmful bacteria inside the mouth and help you prevent the infection from worsening.
• Use a humidifier. Dry air can aggravate the swelling and soreness of your throat, so make sure to keep the air you breathe a bit humid.
• Take throat lozenges. They can help further soothe your sore throat.

Seeing an ENT doctor will also help you treat pharyngitis effectively. However, you should closely follow the instructions of your doctor. This is especially crucial if you have a bacterial infection as those can worsen if not treated right away. Make sure to take all of the antibiotics accordingly as it’s the only way that you can be sure that the infection will be cured. Since ENT problem is quite different from case to case, it is suggested to consult an ENT Specialist for the appropriate ENT services.

Source:

HK ENT Specialist Ltd.

Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre

For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,

Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,

Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services

https://www.hkentspecialist.hk