Pathogens
The cause of the disease is microorganisms such as strepto-, staphylo-, pneumococci, as well as fungi of the genus Candida. Bacterial-type pharyngitis most often occurs during the transition season: spring, autumn. At this time, infections are characterized by particular activity.
In addition, there are a number of factors that predispose to the onset of the disease:
- Lack of personal hygiene.
- Frequent viral throat diseases.
- Smoking.
- Working in industries with polluted air.
- Promiscuous sexual intercourse.
All this reduces the body’s ability to resist pathogenic flora and increases the likelihood of developing bacterial pharyngitis and its transition to the chronic stage.
Causes of streptococcal pharyngitis
The main reason for the development of streptococcal pharyngitis is infection with streptococcal bacteria. Most often, the disease develops under the influence of B-hemolytic bacteria of group A, less often pharyngitis is caused by other groups of microorganisms.
Streptococcal pharyngitis is often a consequence of certain diseases in which the infection spreads from other organs through soft tissue or the systemic bloodstream.
What can cause the disease:
- Foci of infection in the oral cavity.
- Sinusitis.
- Purulent sore throat.
- Pneumonia.
- Nephritis.
- Osteomyelitis.
- Erysipelas.
- Endocervicitis.
- Furunculosis.
- Sepsis.
- Rheumatological diseases.
A strong body is able to suppress the activity of bacteria, but in the presence of favorable factors, the risk of developing streptococcal pharyngitis increases.
Causes causing the disease:
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- sudden changes in ambient temperature;
- presence of bad habits;
- strict diets, fasting;
- jar of Hearts;
- heavy physical activity;
- chronic fatigue.
The cause of streptococcal pharyngitis is often an unfavorable environment. Inhalation of polluted air reduces local defenses, promoting the rapid proliferation of bacteria.
Classification
There are several types of infectious disease. Classification is based on the pathogen that provoked the disease.
- Staphylococcal pharyngitis. Staphylococcus bacteria are representatives of the normal microflora of the human body. They are found in everyone's body in certain quantities. Their negative effect on the functions of individual organs is observed in conditions of excessive population growth. Conditions for this may include a weakened immune system, taking antibiotics, or disruption of the intestinal microflora due to colonization by other microorganisms.
- Gonococcal pharyngitis. Infection of the body with gram-negative diplococcus occurs during unprotected sexual intercourse. These bacteria are transmitted only through sexual contact. As a result of infection, inflammatory processes in the mucous membranes are observed. The mucous membranes of all areas of the body are subject to the influence of pathogenic microorganisms. The genitourinary system is most often affected. The risk of infection with gonococcal pharyngitis increases with oral sex.
- Streptococcal pharyngitis. Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria that provoke the disease live mainly in the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract, but can be found in the blood. Actively transmitted by airborne droplets. People with weakened immune systems are at particular risk.
- Chlamydial pharyngitis. The disease develops due to the influence of dangerous intracellular bacteria, chlamydia, on the body. Pathologies caused by these microorganisms are more difficult to treat, since it is necessary to use agents that destroy the structures of the parasites. In this case, it is impossible to do without a negative effect on the cells of the human body. The recovery process from illnesses associated with chlamydia takes longer. Infection of the body occurs through sexual contact or through contact of mucous membranes.
- Microplasma pharyngitis. The bacteria that cause the disease, Myocoplasma, are transmitted by airborne droplets. The disease develops when the body's protective functions are weakened.
The symptoms for each type of disease are the same.
Viral and bacterial pharyngitis. Main differences Viral pharyngitis can be caused by exposure to a number of viruses, including: adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, herpes simplex viruses, cytomegalovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and others.
The initial stage of the disease with both viral and bacterial pharyngitis is characterized by the same symptoms. These are: an inflamed larynx, enlarged tonsils, redness throughout the throat area. It will not be possible to determine the pathogen at home. As the disease progresses, upon visual examination you may notice the presence of a light coating on the tongue and white dots on the tonsils, which will indicate the bacterial nature of the inflammation. In addition, with bacterial pharyngitis, a very high body temperature is observed, which is less common in the case of viral pharyngitis.
Viral pharyngitis is less dangerous than bacterial pharyngitis, except for the fact that in the absence of proper therapy, viruses can enter the blood and mucous membranes, remaining there forever. In this case, many diseases acquire a chronic form, sometimes provoking acute manifestations, sometimes going into remission.
An accurate diagnosis can only be made by an otolaryngologist by examining the throat and analyzing blood counts.
Symptoms of staphylococcus in the throat
In adults, when Staphylococcus aureus gets on the mucous surface of the throat and its progression, the following symptoms are observed:
- weakness;
- drowsiness;
- lack of appetite;
- severe headache.
- tonsillitis;
- increasing the temperature threshold to 39-40°;
- uncharacteristic increase in swelling of the lymph nodes;
- pain when swallowing saliva, liquid and food;
- swelling of the throat mucosa, the appearance of a whitish coating or pustular neoplasms;
In a word, all the symptoms are characteristic of purulent tonsillitis. The only difference is that staphylococcal infection is difficult to treat with antibiotics and can migrate to other organs, including joints.
Diagnostics
Establishing the nature and cause of the disease is the first step, without which the treatment process cannot be carried out. Diagnosis of pharyngitis consists of four stages:
- Thorough examination of the throat . An anamnesis is collected, on the basis of which the specialist makes primary conclusions.
- Analysis of symptoms and general condition. A conversation between the attending physician and the patient makes it possible to more accurately determine the severity and form of the disease.
- Analysis of mucous membranes in laboratory conditions. Pharyngoscopy.
- General blood analysis. Thanks to this method, the direct causative agent of the disease, the duration of its stay in the body, as well as the location of the disease are determined.
Without a thorough diagnosis, treatment of any disease can complicate the patient's condition. There are often cases when an incorrect diagnosis costs a person his life. No matter how high the doctor’s competence, all necessary measures in the form of tests and diagnostics will give an expanded picture of the condition of the patient’s body.
Treatment methods
It is worth noting that you cannot prescribe medications yourself or use analogues instead of medications prescribed by a doctor. Moreover, pharmacies do not sell antibiotics without a specialist prescription.
Once the causative agent of the disease is identified, a course of antibiotics is prescribed. Staphylococcal pharyngitis is curable by taking macrolide antibiotics. These drugs belong to the class of polyketides, that is, naturally occurring compounds.
Antibiotics of this group are considered to be the least toxic. They are safe and generally well tolerated by patients with both strong immune systems and weakened immune systems. Over the years of practice, it has been experimentally established that these drugs do not have a negative effect on the central nervous system, and there are no cases of nephrotoxicity or arthropathy. The bacteriostatic effect of the drug is due to its activity against gram-positive cocci. No allergic reactions were observed when taking the drugs.
Antibiotics based on penicillin are used against streptococcal pharyngitis. One of the first antibiotics used since the 40s of the 20th century, today penicillin is divided into 4 groups:
- Naturally occurring penicillin.
- Semi-synthetic penicillin.
- Aminopenicillin.
- Ureidpenicillin.
The basic principle of action of drugs based on this antibiotic is that when they are taken, the synthesis of peptidoglycan (the main component of the bacterial cell wall) is actively blocked. Thus, the parasitic effect of the pathogenic flora stops, the bacteria cannot reproduce and ultimately die. A special feature of the antibiotic is the very low likelihood of side effects and allergic reactions.
Gonococcal pharyngitis is treated under the supervision of a venereologist, subject to abstinence from sexual intercourse.
Unlike streptococci and staphylococci, these bacteria are resistant to naturally occurring antibiotics. In this case, etiotropic drugs have the most effective effect. The main distinguishing feature of gonococcal pharyngitis is the appearance in most cases of purulent discharge from the walls of the larynx.
Streptococcal pharyngitis, how does it develop?
Manifestation of the disease
When streptococcus invades the throat tissue, the bacteria begin to multiply very quickly, suppressing local defenses. It is during the period of active reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms that the first symptoms of the disease appear.
Gradually, the immune system begins to produce antibodies to streptococcus - antistreptolysin. With enough of it, the symptoms begin to decrease, but without treatment, pharyngitis becomes chronic.
The weaker the patient’s immunity, the brighter the signs of streptococcal pharyngitis, characterized by inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, appear. Very often the disease is accompanied by inflammation of the tonsils, and then tonsillopharyngitis is diagnosed.
Prevention
The best treatment is disease prevention. A healthy lifestyle is the main criterion that helps strengthen the body’s protective functions. Prevention of any disease is aimed at boosting immunity. Therefore, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and giving up bad habits minimize the likelihood of exposure to pathogenic bacteria on the body.
Bacterial pharyngitis is a dangerous disease; its treatment must be carried out with the use of medications. For the purpose of prevention during an epidemic of influenza and colds, it is better to wear a gauze bandage and take vitamins. If you still cannot avoid the disease, the main thing is to consult a specialist when the first symptoms appear. This will prevent complications.
Author: Anna Sulimenko, doctor, especially for Moylor.ru
