Inflammatory process of the palatine tonsils (tonsillitis or tonsillitis) belongs to the category of diseases of the ENT organs, it is distinguished by an infectious nature. In most cases, the nature of such an ailment is bacterial and is caused mainly by staphylococci or streptococci. As soon as the pathogens penetrate the mucous membrane, inflammation begins against the background of a pronounced clinical picture. As a rule, antibiotics are connected to fight the disease. However, some patients avoid these drugs. Then a logical question may arise - is angina treated without antibiotics?
To answer this question, you will have to familiarize yourself with the existing types of this common disease. In some cases, this is indeed possible, but here, again, it all depends on the naturepathogens.
Disease forms
As we know, the development of an inflammatory process (usually of an infectious nature) is due to the harmful effects of various microorganisms - bacteria, viruses, fungi. In this regard, angina is divided into several types:
- viral;
- fungal;
- bacterial;
- disease caused by blood diseases.
In this case, the exact cause of the disease can only be established by a doctor who takes a culture from the tonsils to determine the infectious agent. In the future, the specialist determines the treatment regimen, and also makes a verdict - is it possible to carry out therapy without the use of antibiotics.
Can a sore throat be cured without antibiotics in a child or an adult? Many people tend to believe that without these drugs it is impossible to get rid of any type of disease. In fact, it is fundamentally wrong. After all, everything mainly depends on the source of infection.
Viral angina
The causative agents of this form of the disease are the following microorganisms:
- adenoviruses;
- Coxsackievirus types A and B;
- flu viruses.
In this case, antibiotics are not used, because the listed pathogens are not able to have the proper effect. It uses complex therapy, which includes antiviral and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In addition, antisepticmouthwash solutions.
Fungal tonsillitis
Most mothers are interested in the question, can a sore throat in a child be cured without antibiotics or not? Here, the Candida fungus acts as the causative agent in most cases of infection. And antibiotics are also not used to treat this form of the disease, since they are useless against such a threat. In addition, sometimes they begin to actively multiply just when taking these drugs. In this connection, the emphasis in treatment is exclusively on antifungal drugs and topical antiseptic medicines.
Bacterial infection
The streptococci and staphylococci mentioned at the beginning of the article cause an infection of a bacterial nature. Here the treatment is carried out with the use of antibiotics. A course of treatment using topical or symptomatic medications in this case is simply ineffective. As you can see, the question that worries many - is it possible to treat a sore throat without antibiotics in an adult or a child, disappears by itself. Not only possible, but necessary!
But if you do not take antibiotics for a long time, in particular, beta-lactam (β-lactams), then serious complications may subsequently begin, which will be treated with great difficulty.
Illness caused by blood diseases
This state of the body is due to the suppression of immunity due to the influence of various factors:
- ionizing radiation;
- toxic chemicals;
- anticancer drugs.
From all of the above, one conclusion can be drawn. The use of antibiotics for the treatment of angina is relevant only in the case of the development of a bacterial form of the disease. In all other situations, the use of drugs in this group is allowed only with the approval of the attending physician. In this case, the doctor relies on the examination of the patient and his clinical picture.
When antibiotics are needed…
As we now know, the answer to the question "Is it possible to cure a sore throat without antibiotics" will be in the affirmative. However, in some cases it is impossible to do without the use of antibiotics:
- Elevated body temperature for more than 3 days.
- A purulent plaque is visible on the surface of the tonsils.
- The patient's condition remains unchanged during the treatment period and even worsens.
- Symptoms appear that indicate the development of complications - nasal congestion, ear pain, impaired urination.
As a rule, while the disease is at an early stage, there is no point in taking antibiotics. On the contrary, doctors even recommend for the period of treatment and completely refrain from using these drugs. Making the correct diagnosis, as well as prescribing certain medications for the treatment of angina in each case, is the prerogative of an otolaryngologist and no one else.
Moreover, many doctors note that it is rather problematic to completely cure a sore throat without antibiotics in children or adults. Especially given the nature of the disease itself. Thus, if these drugs are not included in the treatment regimen, the therapy is not highly effective in combating pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, patients have a seriously increased risk of recurrence of the disease.
Completely refusing antibiotics, patients doom themselves to the development of complications (we will definitely tell about them, but a little later). Sometimes the symptoms of infection can be eliminated through local exposure. But it is not recommended to treat angina only with these medicines. Otherwise, microorganisms can become accustomed to them, which makes further therapy much more difficult.
At the same time, it should be understood that all this refers mainly to the pathology of a bacterial nature. As we now know, in some cases, antibiotics do not save you from a number of pathogens.
However, it is not so important to know whether a sore throat can be cured without antibiotics, but to understand that self-medication is by no means unacceptable. This is exactly what will be discussed further.
What is the threat of self-treatment
As we know, the treatment of any disease is prescribed only after the doctors establish an accurate diagnosis. For this, a number of necessary diagnostic studies are carried out. This allows you to establish the nature of pathogens and the causes of the development of the disease. Only then can a decision be made in favor of the use of certain medications.
This means that you need to have the appropriate knowledge regarding the operation of many systems of the human body. Therefore, there is a profession of doctors of different directions. Most people are deprived of this knowledge and therefore are unlikely to be able to make an accurate diagnosis for themselves. But without this, it is impossible! How to treat angina without antibiotics in adults or children, if you do not know the type of pathogen or the cause that provoked it? Incorrectly selected medicines can lead to the development of complications, and sometimes quite serious ones.
In extreme cases, the disease goes into a chronic stage, which is not very good, since in this case it is treated for a rather long and difficult time. Taking antibiotics not only helps eliminate harmful bacteria, but can also cause harm to the body. Together with pathogenic microorganisms, medicines can also destroy beneficial flora. And this is already fraught with serious consequences, because the immune system is already weakened by the disease.
Uncontrolled medication during self-treatment threatens with various complications:
- development of allergic reactions;
- disruption of the digestive system;
- appearance of toxic shock;
- spread of the fungus;
- avitaminosis;
- dysbacteriosis;
- liver disease.
Besides, if you take the same drug for a long time, addiction will occur, and its effectiveness will be lost, come to naught.
Course of treatment without antibiotics
As we now know, purulent tonsillitis cannot be treated without antibiotics. However, in almost all other cases, such therapy givespositive results. To do this, follow simple recommendations.
Treatment of angina in adult patients and children should be started as soon as appropriate symptoms are detected. And since antibiotics are not used, it must be carried out under proper conditions. The room where the patient spends most of his time should be regularly ventilated if possible. The air should be cool and moderately humid.
This is especially true for heating periods - the room at this time is usually dry and hot. Then the mucous membrane begins to dry out and swell, which leads to a deterioration in the patient's condition. In this regard, it is also important to perform wet cleaning as well.
It is extremely important to observe bed rest. This will allow the body to resist pathogenic microorganisms on its own. In addition, in this case, their further spread is prevented, because they leave the body along with coughing, sneezing, during a conversation.
When we treat a sore throat without antibiotics, special attention should be paid to drinking during this period. For a speedy recovery from intoxication, it is necessary to consume at least 2 liters of fluid throughout the day. At the same time, it is better to drink water in small sips every 10-15 minutes or at least half an hour. To avoid irritation of the inflamed shell, drinks should be at room temperature. Coffee, alcohol and naturally acidic juices should be avoided for now.
Topical medications
If, with the development of angina innoticeable discomfort appeared in the throat or it became difficult to swallow, you can solve the problem with antiseptic lozenges or tablets:
- "Strepsils";
- "Septolete";
- "Pharingosept".
When they dissolve, inflammation and pain are eliminated, the oral mucosa softens, and the regeneration process accelerates.
Also, in the treatment of angina without antibiotics, aerosols with an antiseptic effect show themselves well:
- "Ingalipt";
- "Chlorophyllipt";
- "Oracept";
- "Miramistin".
These medicines can be used in combination with lozenges 2-4 times a day. If the disease is accompanied by a sore throat against the background of an acute inflammatory process, then you can alleviate the condition with the help of these drugs:
- "Ibuprofen";
- "Nurofen";
- "Paracetamol";
- "Panadol";
- "Nimesulide";
- "Nimesil";
- "Nimide".
The same drugs can lower body temperature if necessary.
Use of sulfonamides
If you react promptly to the onset of symptoms of a sore throat, you can even undergo a course of treatment without the use of antibiotics. The doctor usually prescribes sulfonamides, which are effective against staphylococci and streptococci. Suspensions are prescribed for newborns and children not older than 3 years -"Bactrim", "Sulfazin".
For adult patients, sulfonamides help cure angina without antibiotics if the disease is of a bacterial nature. In addition, their use is relevant in cases where patients have an allergic reaction to a particular antibiotic.
At the same time, only an otolaryngologist can give exact recommendations on the use of these drugs. After all, the effectiveness of therapy depends on how correctly the treatment regimen was chosen. As a rule, preference is given to such medicines:
- "Sulfalene";
- "Biseptol";
- "Norsulfazol";
- "Sulfadimesin";
- "Etazol".
The duration of taking these drugs is determined, again, by the attending physician. Preparations should be washed down with alkaline drink. However, there may be side effects while taking them.
Rinse procedure
Complete treatment of sore throat without antibiotics also involves the procedure of gargling. It has the same beneficial effect as local medicines. That is, rinsing allows you to moisturize the mucous membrane, speed up the regeneration process, and reduce inflammation. You can also clean the tissues from purulent plaque.
In this case, you can use not only drugs, but also traditional medicine. There is a great variety of variations, among which the following recipes can be distinguished:
- "Furacilin";
- seawater solution;
- beetroot juice;
- propolis tincture;
- herbal infusions.
One of the effective means is a solution of "Furacilin", which is prepared as follows: 1 tablet is mixed in 100 ml of boiled water (hot). When the medicine has cooled, they gargle for 3 to 5 minutes. For the whole day, 3 or 4 procedures should be carried out. Treatment continues until the symptoms disappear. If you start using this remedy at an early stage of the disease, treatment takes a short time.
To prepare sea water, you need to mix soda and s alt (you can use sea s alt) in a glass of water (warm, not hot). For 200 ml, one teaspoon of bulk products. Then 5 drops of iodine are added to the solution. The resulting product should rinse your mouth at least 6-8 times a day. Continue until sore throat therapy without antibiotics gives a positive result.
No wonder we all love beets, but does everyone know that its juice is a good antiseptic that also has an anti-inflammatory effect? The root crop is rubbed on a fine grater or passed through a meat grinder in order to squeeze the juice. A little vinegar (6%) should be added to it at the rate of 10 ml per 100 ml of natural antiseptic. It is recommended to gargle every 60 minutes.
Propolis tincture is sold in any pharmacy - 1 tbsp. diluted in a glass of warm water and this remedy is also rinsed with an inflamed throat. And the more often, the better the effectiveness of treatment.
As for the infusions of medicinal plants, thenthis remedy has been used for centuries and also has anti-inflammatory properties and can accelerate the healing process. A variety of options are commonly used for cooking:
- calendula flowers, chamomile;
- sage leaves, eucalyptus;
- oak bark;
- collection "Elekasol".
To remove a sore throat without antibiotics, a pinch of dry raw material is poured with boiling water (usually 200 ml) and set aside to cool. When the infusion becomes warm, it is filtered, and then procedures are carried out every 120 minutes.
Probable Complications
If therapy is planned incorrectly (it has already been said about the dangers of self-medication) or is absent altogether, this can lead to serious consequences. For the human body, this will be a dangerous blow, from which it will take a very long time to recover.
Medicated course of treatment of angina, where antibiotics are not used, requires constant monitoring of the patient's condition. And this is mainly due not to the clinical picture of the course of the acute form of the disease. Sometimes angina therapy without antibiotics can result in complications that are quite difficult to treat.
For adult patients, these may be local effects:
- Paratonsillitis - the inflammatory process affects the tissues located around the palatine tonsil.
- Mediastinitis - inflammation develops in the middle part of the chest cavity and often under the influence of bacteria.
- Abscess –inflammatory reaction (including loosening) of the tonsils with the formation of a purulent mass. May be paratonsillar or parapharyngeal.
- Cervical phlegmon - damage to the mucous membranes inside the cervical region. There is also an accumulation of pus.
All these pathologies require timely surgical treatment, including a long period of rehabilitation. In addition, angina can provoke complications, both on individual systems and on the body as a whole. In extremely rare cases, sepsis may begin. In this case, pathogenic microorganisms will spread throughout the body through the circulatory system.
Summary
If you treat the symptoms of tonsillitis responsibly and follow all the doctor's recommendations, you can quickly cure a sore throat without antibiotics. The result will not be long in coming, and in most cases recovery will occur already on the 2nd or 3rd day after the start of therapy. The main thing is not to ignore the disease and seek medical help in a timely manner.
It is worth finally saying a few words about traditional medicine. In the fight against angina, they show good results. However, it should be understood that this is an independent treatment. It is permissible to use it, but only in combination with an adequate drug treatment regimen, under the supervision of a physician. Self-medication is contraindicated, since only the attending physician has the right to determine the intake of this or that medicine.
