Types of sore throat and how they differ

Of course, when it comes to sore throat, almost all people know what it’s like to suffer from annoying and lasting pain or discomfort in the throat, when every sip or even breath reminds of its presence. But what to do in a situation when a seemingly ordinary problem becomes a serious cause of worry and anxiety, growing into a whole problem. Purulent sore throat as a complication - effective treatment, the main causes, symptoms and signs, its types, antibiotics and reviews about them, as well as much more - we will analyze it in this article!

Causes of purulent sore throat

Purulent tonsillitis, or, as it is called in medical language, acute tonsillitis, is an infectious disease in which inflammation of areas of the pharyngeal surface begins and pus accumulates on them, most often on the tonsils located in the area of the oral cavity and nasopharynx. This disease can be recognized by characteristic purulent formations in the area of the pharyngeal ring. As a rule, ulcers become noticeable after they have grown to a fairly serious size. It is transmitted through contact with a carrier of the disease and simply by the penetration of bacteria into the body.

Main causes and predisposing factors:

Microbes, bacteria, fungi, viruses. It should be noted that many of them are quite common and are the causative agents of not only sore throats or colds, but can serve as the basis for more serious diseases such as bronchitis, and can cause complications - otitis media and others.
Weakening of the general tone of the body and immunity. So, there is a high probability of contracting a purulent sore throat while suffering from other diseases, including a cold.
The presence of infections and viruses in the body. Even an untreated cold can become the foundation for the development of the disease.
Inflammation of the respiratory tract.
Caries, a bacterial disease of the gums that causes the accumulation of harmful microorganisms in the mouth.

This disease has a fairly wide range of symptoms, the development and progression of which in a child, especially in adolescents, often varies in severity and severity than in an adult. This is, of course, due to the fact that children’s immunity is not sufficiently thorough and strong to fully resist the disease.

Secondary types of sore throats

Secondary types of tonsillitis develop against the background of infectious diseases or hematological pathologies existing in the body. The course of the disease is mediated by the primary lesion.

Diphtheria sore throat

The main pathogen is the diphtheria bacillus, which releases a large amount of toxins into the body tissue during infection. Infection occurs from a sick person or a bacteria carrier. Based on the clinical picture, localized and diffuse forms are distinguished. Localized variants are associated with the involvement of only the palatal lymphoid tissue in the pathological process. There are three types in total: catarrhal, island and membranous.

Diphtheritic catarrhal lesion develops acutely in the form of fever up to 38-39 °C. Pain and intoxication manifestations are rarely detected. The main changes affect the tonsils - they are swollen and hyperemic. In the absence of immunodeficiency, it does not cause life-threatening conditions.

The island and membranous forms of the disease are characterized by the appearance of a gray-white plaque, which is tightly fused to the tissue of the tonsils. When removed with a spatula, a bleeding ulcer appears. The film does not dissolve in water, but simply settles at the bottom of the container. The enlargement of the lymph nodes is mild, they are mobile and painless. Common variants of diphtheria in the oral cavity are manifested by severe intoxication syndrome, acute sore throat and adynamia of the patient.

Scarlet throat

Pathology occurs against the background of infection of the body with a ß-hemolytic microorganism, most often in childhood. It always starts sharply. Fever, which develops over several hours, reaches 38.5-39 °C, and a sore throat appears. Gradually a skin rash appears, represented by small dots. Typical places for rashes: facial skin, abdomen, back, flexor surfaces of legs and arms.

An external examination of the child reveals a sparkle in the eyes, a hyperemic face with a pale nasolabial triangle and a “crimson” tongue. Severe peeling appears on the skin during the recovery period. On external examination, the throat is red. Sore throat can be of a different nature: catarrhal, lacunar or follicular. In the absence of treatment and in severe cases, necrotic changes in the tonsils are possible. The lymph nodes are markedly enlarged; pain is felt in them upon palpation and head movements.

Mononucleosis tonsillitis

The pathology of the tonsils in infectious mononucleosis is called mononuclear or mononucleosis tonsillitis. The main complaints during the disease are associated with the development of intoxication syndrome (sudden development of fever up to 39-39.5 ° C, headaches, general weakness) and angina-like changes. The latter are associated with severe sore throat. When examining the pharynx, the doctor discovers a significant enlargement of the tonsils and the appearance of plaque on them, similar to changes in diphtheria. The severe course of the disease is characterized by the appearance of purulent changes in the lymphoepithelial ring.

Measles and tonsillitis

Measles is an acute infectious disease characteristic of children. Infection occurs from sick people or virus carriers through airborne droplets. The patient's clinical picture is dominated by intoxication syndrome, as well as pinpoint skin rashes. On the 5-6th day from the onset of the disease, measles tonsillitis occurs: the tonsils are enlarged, their surface is hyperemic and covered with purulent plaque. The formation of purulent plugs in the crypts of lymphoid tissue is possible. With timely initiation of treatment, signs of tonsillitis disappear within 8-10 days.

Herpetic lesion

Herpangina is a consequence of the Coxsackie virus entering the body, which occurs in people against the background of immunodeficiency states. Develops within a couple of hours with the onset of fever to 39-40 °C. On days 2-3, the fever disappears, and small papules with a diameter of up to 2 mm appear in the area of the tonsils, palatine arches and soft palate. They gradually transform into thin-walled bubbles. Within 1-2 days, the vesicles rupture, leaving erosion on the surface of the lymphoid formations, which are covered with a light coating. Sore throat intensifies after damage to the vesicles. When examining the lymph nodes of the neck, their enlargement and mild pain on palpation are noted.

Herpes virus infection

Develops during exacerbation of herpesvirus pathology in a patient. It begins acutely - the temperature can reach 40 °C. Severe pain prevents a person from talking and eating. Diffuse redness of the mucous membrane and tonsils is complemented by the appearance of small blisters. Their contents are transparent. The vesicles quickly burst, forming small erosions. When a bacterial infection occurs, a purulent plaque appears on the lymphoid tissue.

Herpetic rashes on other parts of the body are possible. The pathology lasts up to 10 days. Gradual healing of erosions occurs.

Sore throat with allergies

A symptom of a systemic allergic reaction to any allergen. When examining the pharynx, the doctor discovers its redness, including the tonsils. They are characterized by pronounced swelling in the absence of plaque. Fever, headache and other intoxication manifestations are not observed.

Symptoms of sore throat in children

Depending on the degree of development and the amount of time during which the infection has been parasitizing in the body, a variety of symptoms of sore throat are distinguished. These include general ones, inherent in colds, respiratory diseases, as well as more specific ones, depending on individual circumstances and the degree of the disease itself.

Symptoms of sore throat in children (including purulent):

A pronounced decrease in the overall tone of the body. Weakness, lethargy, apathy.
Pain in the nasopharynx and throat. When the disease is advanced, some area of the oral cavity also hurts.
Febrile symptoms, fever, cough.
Discharge from inflamed tonsils is possible (with purulent sore throat).
A yellow-white coating appears in the area of the amygdala.
Inflamed lymph nodes, especially with follicular tonsillitis.
Headaches, migraines, which do not go away for a long time.
Severe loss of appetite, acrid taste, especially when taking certain antibiotics.
In some cases, there is gastrointestinal dysfunction and constipation.
White purulent plugs on the tonsils.
In severe cases - intoxication, vomiting, pain in the ear cavity.

In children under 3 years of age, or even up to a year, each symptom can appear at different times and with different magnitudes, which complicates the process of diagnosis and treatment. At the first suspicion of a disease, you should contact a specialist, determine how long the child has been suffering from sore throat and provide the basic conditions for the body to fight the infection, about which in more detail - read on!

Classification of sore throats

The main classification of sore throats in Russia was created by I.B. Soldatov in 1975. Depending on the nature of the development of the pathology, he divided all cases of the disease into primary and secondary. Primary are characterized by initial damage to the lymphoid tissue of the tonsils by infectious agents. In the case of a secondary lesion, inflammation in the lymphoepithelial ring is associated with infectious and non-infectious diseases of other localizations.

Classification of sore throats according to I.B. Soldatov

In the international classification, sore throat (acute tonsillitis) is designated as J03. If the causative agent of the pathology is streptococcal microorganisms, then code J03.0 is set. For an unknown microorganism - J03.9. Correct coding of the disease allows you to keep statistical records of the infectious disease and study its spread in the population.

Throat with sore throat

There are main types of sore throat: follicular, lacunar, catarrhal and ulcerative-membranous, as well as the degrees of their development, which affect how the throat looks when infected. Often, a specialist is able to determine the main and most likely signs of a particular disease in a given case only by looking at the source of infection.

Thus, characteristic differences can be identified (pictures):

The throat of a healthy person who has no signs of a sore throat is a pink surface of the entire oral cavity and larynx, clean, without signs of a heavy yellowish coating, without pronounced enlargement of the tonsils.
The throat of a person with primary tonsillitis. Symptoms are just beginning to increase, but the person does not feel severe discomfort and pain. Severe redness of the tonsils and the surface of the nasopharynx.
The throat of a person who has started the development of purulent tonsillitis.

Significant redness of the throat, noticeable white-yellow clots in the tonsil area (pus), possible plaque on the tongue, as well as on the surfaces of the oral cavity.

What is angina and symptoms of the disease?

throat (acute tonsillitis) is an acute infectious disease in which inflammatory changes are expressed mainly in the palatine tonsils. Infection can occur through contact with a sick person, through airborne droplets or through household items. The cause of the disease can also be carious teeth.

Symptoms of tonsillitis manifest themselves as follows: patients complain of malaise, pain when swallowing, increased body temperature up to 38 - 40 ° C. Joint pain, headache and chills may occur. The duration of the disease and the nature of local changes in the tonsils depend on the form of angina.

What is the most common type of sore throat? The most common types of the disease are catarrhal, lacunar and follicular forms of tonsillitis; the phlegmonous form is less common.

With catarrhal tonsillitis, the palatine tonsils are enlarged and hyperemic, the temperature does not rise very much;
with follicular tonsillitis, festering follicles in the form of small yellow-white spots are noted on the tonsils; with lacunar angina, large spots (plaques) appear on the surface of the tonsils. With follicular and lacunar tonsillitis, body temperature rises to 38 - 39 ° C.

Phlegmonous tonsillitis is characterized by inflammation of not only the tonsils, but also the tissues surrounding them. This is the most severe form of angina: the temperature rises to 40 ° C, nearby lymph nodes are swollen and painful, swelling of the soft palate is noted on one side, and an abscess develops.

Frequent tonsillitis leads to the development of chronic tonsillitis and various complications (rheumatism, heart defects, etc.).

The causes of chronic tonsillitis can be not only repeated sore throats, but also other acute infectious diseases (scarlet fever, measles, etc.), diseased teeth, chronic catarrhal pharyngitis, inflammatory processes in the paranasal sinuses, chronic runny nose and adenoids.

Symptoms of chronic tonsillitis: patients complain of frequently recurring tonsillitis, sore throat, sore throat when swallowing, the presence of a foreign body in the throat, bad breath, coughing up so-called plugs (from the tonsils). There may be a slight increase in body temperature, headache, cough; plugs are visible in the lacunae of the tonsils.

Below you can see photos of what types of sore throat there are and learn about traditional methods of treating the disease:

Treatment of sore throat in children

Once a sore throat is detected, treatment measures must be taken immediately, especially when it comes to treating children. When treating a sore throat, it is important to fully control the process and vigilantly monitor trends, since sometimes the situation can be aggravated by certain means and methods of assistance. The chronic form of sore throat requires special attention, which is not easy to get rid of, and the consequences of which are radical, but are often hidden for a long time and are not easy to identify even during the summer period.

The main methods of treating sore throat in children:

Providing bed rest.
Abundant drinking regime, preferably clean and warm water without unnecessary impurities.
Regular procedures to eliminate inflammation, gargling. Folk remedies are also possible, for example, dilute a solution of salt, soda and iodine in proportion.
Antibiotics, tablets and other drugs are advisable only as prescribed by a doctor. However, in order to eliminate febrile symptoms, at a temperature, antipyretics and other basic drugs are appropriate.

There must be a strict diet; at first, soft and easily digestible foods like purees, soups, and yoghurts are desirable. The temperature of the food should be warm enough, but should not burn the walls of the inflamed tonsils.

Acute tonsillitis in children: photos, symptoms and treatment

A disease such as tonsillitis or tonsillitis is familiar to every parent firsthand.
This inflammatory process of the nasopharynx can occur in acute and chronic forms, bringing with its “presence” a lot of unpleasant sensations and creating many problems. The source of inflammation is the palatine tonsils, or as they are also called tonsils, which are the main barrier to infection seeking to enter the human respiratory tract.

Unfortunately, the disease is very often diagnosed in children of different ages, so the main signs of the disease and first aid methods should be known to every mother. This will help protect the child from consequences and complications, the likelihood of which is very high.

Reasons for the development of tonsillitis in children

Acute tonsillitis in a child is the result of the vital activity of various pathogenic microorganisms, which include bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Often the flora is mixed, which makes diagnosis somewhat difficult. Among all microorganisms, the most common causes of tonsillitis are :

streptococci;
pneumococci;
staphylococci;
adenoviruses.

The pathogen enters the mucous membrane of the patient’s throat through alimentary or airborne droplets from a sick person. However, no less often, the causative agent of the disease is “own” microbes that have settled on the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, are in a dormant state and are waiting for favorable conditions for the development of vigorous activity. Such conditions include: weakened immunity, sudden hypothermia, and eating food or drink that is too cold.

Signs of acute tonsillitis in children

Symptoms of acute tonsillitis in children appear quite quickly after infection or exposure to a provoking factor on the body, which activates the work of its “own” dormant pathogens. Most often this happens within 1-3 days. The most characteristic signs of angina include:

moderate to severe sore throat, making it difficult to swallow or speak calmly;
burning, swelling and discomfort in the tonsil area;
bad breath;
excessive drooling, especially in children under three years of age; in babies;
deterioration or complete loss of appetite;
headache and body aches;
increased body temperature;
cough and hoarseness;
weakness and fatigue.

In addition, during a medical examination, the doctor detects severe redness and swelling of the tonsils. When the tonsils are damaged by pathogenic bacteria, a characteristic whitish-yellow coating – pus – also forms on the tonsils. Palpation of the neck makes it possible to detect enlarged lymph nodes and determine their size and extent of damage.

Treatment of acute tonsillitis in children with drugs and prevention of the disease

Treatment of symptoms of acute tonsillitis in children should be carried out under the supervision and constant supervision of a doctor. Self-medication in this case is completely excluded, since in most cases it leads to very disastrous consequences.

Undertreatment of the disease is fraught with its transition to a chronic form.

The following drugs are used to treat acute tonsillitis in children:

antibiotics - flemoclav, amoxiclav, macrolides and cephalosporins;
local antiseptics - aerosols tantum verde, miramistin, hexoral;
gargling with a solution of soda and salt, infusion of sage or chamomile.

Also, for the treatment of acute tonsillitis in children, complex immunomodulatory therapy is prescribed to improve health and increase the body's defenses, as well as physiotherapeutic procedures.

Prevention measures

To prevent acute tonsillitis in children, photos of which can be seen below, from passing into the chronic stage:

Therefore, it is extremely important to carry out regular prevention of the disease, which consists of:

timely treatment of sore throat and other inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx;
periodic sanitation of the oral cavity, nose, throat, and especially the tonsils with antiseptic solutions, for example, iodine solution, gramicidin, tannin with glycerin) and mandatory sanitation 14 days after the acute form of the disease;
vitamin therapy, hardening, air baths and rubdowns.

Prevention of sore throat in children and adults is an important measure that helps reduce the risk of developing a chronic form of the disease and various complications.

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Gargling for a sore throat

Since ancient times, the main means of providing assistance for throat diseases has been rinsing with various poultices, solutions and other remedies that have a beneficial effect on irritated or inflamed areas.

Basic rules for gargling:

It is advisable to tilt your head back so that the solution reaches the larynx as much as possible.
Stick out your tongue as far as possible and, if possible, imitate the pronunciation of the letter s in order to allow the liquid to fully penetrate and treat the foci of infection.
Spend at least 15-20 seconds for each rinse.
During a sore throat, you need to gargle and rinse your throat at least 3-4 times, preferably 5-8 times.

In addition, there are many effective and efficient recipes for both exclusively folk and classical medical use. Gargling solutions. A well-known remedy is Lugol, which exists in the form of a spray or solution. Lugol's solution should be smeared on the inflamed area, first applying it to a cotton swab.

The boric acid treatment method for sore throat is used as a medicine mixed with warm water.

A widely known solution is linden or chamomile flowers infused in water. It can be used to rinse the throat and irrigate areas of the tonsils even in full health for the purpose of prevention; when using it, the metallic and other aftertaste often goes away when using medications.

Hydrogen peroxide helps - it is smeared on the surface of the inflamed area in cases where the stage of the disease is advanced and blood appears in places. Before lubricating, it must be applied to a cotton swab or swab. After the procedure, be sure to rinse your mouth and throat with warm water to wash away any remaining blood and the product itself.

Catarrhal sore throat - general information

Sore throat is an inflammatory process that occurs in one or more tonsils of the lymphoepithelial ring of the pharynx. The infection most often affects the palatine tonsils.

With angina, inflammation of one or more tonsils of the lymphoepithelial ring of the pharynx occurs

Angina was known to healers in ancient times. Thus, a description of the disease can be found in the books of Hippocrates (a doctor and philosopher of Ancient Greece), and the works of Avicenna (a medieval Persian scientist).

Depending on the degree of damage to the tonsils by the inflammatory process, sore throat can be:

Catarrhal. This is the mildest form of the disease, in which a purulent process does not develop. The main difference from other types of sore throat is the absence of plaque on the tonsils.

With catarrhal tonsillitis, there is no purulent plaque on the tonsils
Lacunarnaya. Accompanied by the expansion of lacunae, the formation of purulent plaque on the tonsils.
Follicular. It is characterized by the appearance on the surface of the tonsils of yellowish follicles, inside of which there is purulent content.

With follicular and catarrhal tonsillitis, a purulent plaque forms on the tonsils

If catarrhal sore throat is not treated immediately, then after 3-4 days it can go into a purulent stage.

Catarrhal tonsillitis is more often diagnosed in the cold season, when people have reduced immunity. The greatest risk of developing pathology is:

children under 6 years of age. In babies at the 4th month of life, the immunity received from the mother is lost. The formation of one's own immunity occurs slowly and gradually. Therefore, the likelihood of infectious diseases occurring in children during this period is very high;
pregnant women. During the period of gestation, a woman’s protective properties of the body decrease. The reasons for this phenomenon: increased production of hormones;
passive lifestyle, which is often observed in pregnant women;
the development of vitamin deficiency, since beneficial substances are spent not only on the needs of the mother’s body, but also on the child;

people with chronic respiratory diseases;

persons diagnosed with endocrine diseases: diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormones).

How to treat purulent sore throat

As described earlier, purulent tonsillitis is an acute form of the disease, which manifests itself in severe symptoms and requires immediate attention and treatment, preferably prescribed by a specialist. Taking all the circumstances into account, the main methods of providing assistance for angina, including such basic things as pastel mode, plenty of drinking and a special diet, include more targeted treatment with antibiotics and antibacterial agents.

The main means of providing a therapeutic effect on foci of purulent tonsillitis in a patient:

Cefotaxime is a powder used to treat the accumulation of microorganisms in the infection cavity.
Yox is a liquid for solution with water, the treatment has pronounced antiseptic properties.
Isoprinosine - tablets for immunostimulating the body.
Bicillin is a powder for solution with water, an anti-infective agent. Strict contraindications for children and adolescents.
Penicillin is an antibacterial agent. It is sometimes extremely important to treat the source of infection with penicillin, since it actually penetrates the bacterial molecules and blocks the DNA responsible for reproduction.
Menovazin is a liquid used to relieve pain and eliminate acute symptoms of itching and burning.
Chlorophyllipt is a liquid that has an antibacterial effect, especially against those species that cause foci of purulent tonsillitis.
Furacilin is an effective remedy to remove purulent accumulations. Ointment, spray or solution.
Virogel is a topical ointment to combat viruses of the herpes family.
Dexamethasone - anti-inflammatory drug, injections.

Only a doctor should choose specific medications.

Competent treatment of purulent sore throat in children

Treatment of purulent tonsillitis in children differs from conventional treatment methods. There are features of their body that do not allow them to use many means and methods.

Features of the treatment of purulent sore throat in children:

Many antibiotics are not available for use, as there are pronounced contraindications due to age;
The best option is to send the child for treatment to a hospital for full medical supervision;
It is highly advisable to undergo a smear and a number of other tests to accurately determine the specific antibiotic.

In case of complications, it is permissible to use corticosteroids against swelling. Pustules can be cured in 7 days.

Prevention of sore throat

Hardening, including water procedures throughout the year, is a general prevention of sore throats. It is important to promptly treat carious teeth, chronic runny nose, and inflammation of the ENT organs. If one of the family members gets a sore throat, he must be isolated in a separate room, and if this is not possible, then he or the rest of the family must wear masks. If an adult falls ill and there are small children in the family, it is better to go to an infectious diseases hospital until complete recovery.

Fibrinous, phlegmonous forms of tonsillitis, severe lacunar, catarrhal or follicular tonsillitis with complications are also hospitalized. All small children are admitted to the hospital with a sore throat.