Herpes in the throat develops as a result of stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontitis, chickenpox, and other diseases. That is, it is extremely rare that the pathological process is primary in nature; much more often we have to talk about secondary angina.
Sore throat, in the general sense of the word, is an inflammation of the tonsils (tonsils) located in the palate. Another name for the pathological process is acute (chronic) tonsillitis.
There is more than one form of the disease, and as practice shows, in approximately 10% of cases the pathology is of herpetic origin and is provoked by this group of viral agents.
Herpes in the throat - what is it?
Herpes in the throat is a viral infectious disease caused by herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2. Herpes in the throat can occur as herpetic pharyngitis, pharyngotonsillitis and laryngitis.
In weakened or immunodeficient patients, infection may spread with the development of herpetic tracheitis, bronchitis and pneumonia.
Herpes in the throat caused by herpetic viruses must be distinguished from herpangina, an enteroviral vesicular pharyngitis caused by Coxsackie viruses of group A.
For reference. Herpes in the throat and herpetic sore throat are caused by different pathogens, therefore the treatment of these diseases is fundamentally different.
Herpes and other throat diseases
Herpes in the throat is often confused with fungal diseases. In fact, it is easy to distinguish a fungus in a child’s throat - the photos show the most striking symptom of a fungal infection - a white or grayish coating in the throat. This does not happen with herpes.
Sore throat also differs from herpes in its manifestations. The throat with a sore throat is covered with pimples and blisters. White blisters in the throat are follicular tonsillitis. It is necessary to distinguish from follicular tonsillitis herpetic tonsillitis, which is caused by Coxsackie viruses, and not by the herpes virus.
Stomatitis is another type of throat disease. There are several causes for stomatitis. Aphthous and herpetic stomatitis is localized in the throat. With aphthous stomatitis, aphthae appear in the throat - these are blisters with a red rim and grayish contents. Aphthae appear in small quantities. The cause of aphthae is usually diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Herpetic stomatitis can be acute or chronic.
Drug therapy
Treatment of herpetic sore throat involves taking pills and giving injections. Without the use of antiviral drugs there will be no effect. Inflammation and blisters in the throat are only a partial manifestation of herpes, the suppression of which is the main task in this case.
To inactivate the virus, doctors prescribe the following medications:
- Acyclovir. If the disease is mild, then in tablet form, otherwise - in injections.
- Valaciclovir.
- Penciclovir.
- Zovirax.
- Famciclovir (not for use in children).
Antiseptics
Antiseptics are needed to alleviate the patient’s condition, reduce pain, remove burning sensation, swelling and disinfect the mucous membrane.
The following products are used in tablet form and in the form of sprays:
- Hexoral is a spray aimed at treating various infectious diseases of the throat in which inflammation occurs.
- Faringosept - quickly suppresses bacteria, relieves swelling.
- Septolete – eliminates pain, disinfects mucous membranes.
Concomitant medications
A cold sore in the throat can be very painful. In such cases, analgesics such as ibuprofen are prescribed.
If an allergy occurs during treatment, antihistamines are prescribed:
- Claritin,/li>,
- Suprastin,
- Fenistil,
- Zyrtec,
- Erius,
Ibuprofen, Paracetamol or Efferalgan will help reduce the temperature.
Immunomodulatory agents
Since weakened immunity is the main reason for the activation of the virus, measures to restore the body’s defenses are no less important than eliminating symptoms and drug suppression of the herpes virus.
For these purposes the following is used:
- Interferon – speeds up treatment and helps prevent relapses.
- Immunoglobulins.
- Inducer drugs, thanks to which the body independently produces interferon. Such remedies are taken both for throat infections and to protect against the systematic activation of herpes. In addition to the immunomodulatory effect, they also have antiviral properties. Medicines of this type include: Kagocel, Alpizarin, Levamisole, Amiksin, etc. Some drugs combine antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating properties (such as Wobenzym and Lavomax).
If frequent relapses occur, the doctor may prescribe a vaccination. The vaccination interval is six months. The vaccine is given during the period of remission.
Reasons for the development of herpes in the throat
Herpetic lesions of the throat develop against the background of primary infection or reactivation of herpes viruses types 1 or 2. Herpes in the throat associated with infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 is more common.
For reference. Herpes on the tonsils in a child is most often associated with primary infection with herpes simplex viruses. In adults, herpes in the throat is often associated with reactivation of herpes viruses.
Primary infection can occur:
- through contact and household contact (using shared utensils, personal hygiene items, children’s toys);
- contact (when kissing);
- sexually (herpes simplex virus type 2 is more often transmitted sexually);
- vertically (from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth);
- airborne droplets (when coughing, sneezing, talking).
After the initial infection, the disease can be asymptomatic or with the appearance of specific herpetic rashes.
For reference. After introduction into the body, herpes simplex viruses persist for life in epithelial and nerve cells, becoming activated when immunity decreases, the development of immunodeficiency diseases, hypothermia, and against the background of concomitant infectious diseases.
How the disease should be treated
Treatment of herpetic pharyngitis, both in children and adults, involves, first of all, the use of antiviral drugs of systemic and local action.
Antiviral treatment should be prescribed as early as possible in order to slow down the proliferation of viral irritants in the patient’s body.
The therapeutic regimen is developed by a doctor after a comprehensive diagnosis and, as a rule, includes Acyclovir or Vivorax, which are considered one of the most effective means of combating herpes.
Drug treatment
Methods of symptomatic treatment of herpetic inflammation are selected depending on the severity of the disease and the presence of concomitant pathologies:
- preparations of a number of interferons, which accelerate the production of one’s own antibodies that counteract infection;
- immunomodulatory agents (Cycloferon);
- drugs that have anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects (Nurofen, Paracetamol);
- antihistamines (if pharyngeal swelling occurs);
- vitamin complexes;
- antitussive and mucolytic drugs;
- rinsing and inhalation with antiseptic agents (Tantum Verde, Hexoral);
- antibiotics (indicated if a bacterial infection is associated with herpes).
Important to know: Temperature with pharyngitis
Symptoms of herpes in the throat
The main manifestation of herpes in the throat is the appearance of specific herpetic rashes on the pharyngeal mucosa.
For reference. The disease begins acutely. On the first day of the disease, the patient may only be bothered by a sore throat that gets worse when swallowing and talking, general weakness, lethargy, and increased body temperature.
Also characteristic is bright hyperemia (redness) of the mucous membrane of the posterior wall of the pharynx, soft palate and tonsils. The posterior wall of the pharynx is loose, and pinpoint hemorrhages into the mucous membrane may be observed.
There may be itching and burning in the throat.
Within 10-24 hours, specific herpetic rashes appear.
Herpetic blisters are small, filled with transparent contents, itchy and painful. The mucous membrane on which the rashes are located is swollen, loose and brightly hyperemic.
For reference. The blisters quickly burst, leaving behind small and shallow erosions and ulcers with raised edges. The bottom of the ulcers may be covered with a whitish-gray or yellow coating.
Due to herpetic blisters and ulcers in the throat, the patient experiences severe discomfort and pain when swallowing. Nausea, loss of appetite, soreness, burning and itching in the throat are also noted. A dry cough may appear (due to itching and sore throat).
Symptoms of general intoxication, weakness, chills, increased body temperature, pain in muscles and joints, increased irritability, sleep disturbances (due to sore throat) are typical.
Complications of herpes in the throat
In the vast majority of cases, the disease proceeds without the development of severe complications.
For reference. Most often, herpes in the throat is complicated by the addition of a secondary bacterial infection with the development of bacterial stomatitis, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis. Submandibular and cervical lymphadenitis (inflammation of the lymph nodes) also often develops.
The disease poses the main danger to weakened and immunodeficient patients. In this category of patients, herpes in the throat can be complicated by bronchitis, pneumonia, and sepsis.
Differential diagnosis
Herpes in the throat should be distinguished from viral stomatitis and pharyngitis, herpangina, chickenpox with damage to the mucous membranes, and meningococcal pharyngitis.
Quite often, herpes in the throat is confused with herpangina. Enteroviral vesicular pharyngitis is accompanied by redness of the back of the throat, sore throat, and the appearance of blistering rashes similar to herpes. Herpangina is usually diagnosed in young children.
In this regard, to diagnose herpes in the throat, be sure to use:
- isolation of the virus from vesicles, saliva and blood;
- RPGA;
- PCR;
- ELISA.
ELISA is most often used to determine immunoglobulins class M and G for herpes simplex viruses.
Causes of herpetic pharyngitis
Like any other inflammation of the pharynx, herpetic pharyngitis can develop in two forms:
- acute (appears immediately after the virus penetrates the mucous surface);
- chronic.
People who are sensitive to the herpes virus are most susceptible to herpetic pharyngitis, namely:
- infants;
- children aged 4 to 10 years;
- people with a weakened immune system (this category includes patients diagnosed with AIDS, cancer and severe chronic pathologies of internal organs).
The main cause of hypersensitivity to the herpes virus is considered to be a weakened immune system, which occurs due to systematic overwork, unbalanced nutrition, vitamin deficiency and violation of the regime.
Often, herpes can manifest itself as a result of viral infectious diseases, for example, influenza, acute respiratory infections, rhinovirus and adenovirus.
It is very easy for a newborn child to become infected with the herpes virus; sometimes it is enough for him to simply inhale cold air, while a fragile immune system may not be able to cope with even minimal exposure to the irritant and will lead to the development of the disease.
Very often, herpetic pharyngitis is accompanied by concomitant diseases of a herpetic nature, for example, sore throat.
It is important to know: Features of the treatment of pharyngitis in adults The virus can enter the human body through airborne droplets and household routes, and the possibility of viral infection through sexual contact has also been proven.
Herpes penetrates the intestines or the lymphatic system, and within two days it enters the blood and begins to rapidly spread throughout the body, multiplying in epithelial, nerve and muscle cells.
Incorrect or incomplete treatment usually leads to the fact that the herpes virus will manifest itself again a short time after the symptoms have disappeared.
Frequent relapses that occur after stress or hypothermia indicate that the disease has developed into a chronic form, which can lead to serious complications, for example, herpetic sore throat.
Treatment of herpes in the throat
For the treatment of herpes in the throat, acyclovir (or valacyclovir) and interferon preparations (Viferon, Genferon) are prescribed.
For reference. To eliminate pain symptoms, relieve inflammation and reduce swelling of the mucous membrane, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, nimisulide, paracetamol) are prescribed.
Also, to alleviate the patient’s condition, antiseptics will help to relieve acute pain in the throat:
- hexoral is a drug for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the throat, it is used to treat fungus in the throat of a child, relieves inflammation in herpes, sore throat, stomatitis, and helps prevent superinfections.
- faringosept - has antiseptic, bacteriostatic and antimicrobial effects.
- Septolete - a drug for the treatment of throat diseases of a fungal or bacterial nature - has an analgesic and antiseptic effect for herpes.
You cannot use only antiseptics to treat herpes in the throat. They only relieve symptoms, but do not in any way affect the cause of the disease - the herpes virus.
Antibiotics for herpes can be used in some cases. However, this is while taking antiviral drugs.
In case of severe intoxication, detoxification therapy is carried out.
In order to accelerate the healing of the mucous membrane, reparative agents are prescribed: sea buckthorn oil, rosehip oil, solcoseryl.
Treatment
Treatment must begin immediately; first, call a general practitioner or pediatrician for children to your home. This is due to the serious complications that plague this disease, including: pyelonephritis, meningitis, rheumatism.
The main treatment for this type of pharyngitis is carried out using antiviral drugs with Acyclovir, for example, Zovirax or Virolex. They are approved for use in children over 1 year of age.
Also assigned:
- antipyretics Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Nimesil - for adults; Panadol, Nurofen, Analdim suppositories from 39°C - for children.
- treatment with antihistamines L-Cet, Diazolin - for adults; Eden syrup, Alleron drops - for children;
- antibiotics to treat bacterial infection;
- vitamin complexes in tablets, injections or other forms prescribed by a doctor.
Gargling added to treatment will help improve the condition. This will cleanse the mucous membrane and relieve swelling from the tonsils. The following solutions are suitable for these purposes:
- sea water or boiled with sea salt;
- decoctions of medicinal herbs: chamomile, St. John's wort, sage;
- with Furacilin tablet or powder;
- with hydrogen peroxide.
It is better to treat children in a hospital or at home, but under the supervision of a pediatrician. A peculiarity of treating young children is that it is impossible to rinse, so the attending physician will select another, more convenient antiseptic method to prevent pathogenic bacteria from entering the wounds. Most often, these are sprays and lozenges.
