Herpetic pharyngitis (also called herpes pharyngitis) is one of the forms of inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa. This pathology is considered one of the most common manifestations of pharyngitis and can occur among patients of various age categories. In our article, we will talk in detail about this disease, find out what its main causes are, how it manifests itself in children and adults, and, in addition, we will figure out how this disease is currently being treated depending on the age of the patient.
General characteristics
Herpetic pharyngitis can develop independently against the background of a general weakening of immunity under the influence of viral or bacteriological infections. The most common symptoms of the disease are as follows:
- Having a sensation of itching in the throat.
- Risediscomfort and pain when swallowing.
Pathogen
The herpetic form of this disease develops under the influence of the common herpes virus (recall that infection with the herpes virus, as a rule, is carried out by contact through household items, as well as through blood). The disease is classified into two main forms:
- Acute form of manifestation, the main cause of which is hypothermia, which was provoked by the intake of cold foods or drinks, as well as exposure to cold ambient temperatures.
- The chronic form of herpetic pharyngitis is formed in the absence of herpes therapy. Relapses of the disease occur after the patient has suffered stress or hypothermia.
Angina
In the absence of the required medical services, the pathology can develop into herpangina, while the main symptoms will be a sharp increase in temperature along with pain when swallowing, nausea, vomiting, discomfort in the abdominal cavity, inflammation of the tonsils and the formation of a white rash on the pharyngeal mucosa.
Next, let's move on to the consideration of the main factors affecting the development of herpetic pharyngitis (pictured).
Causes of occurrence
The causes of this disease may be as follows:
- One of the causes of the pathology is the suppression of the protective functions of the immune system by infections.
- Damage to the nasopharyngeal mucosa.
- The patient has an unstable psychological and emotionalstatus.
- Prolonged exposure to low temperatures along with hypothermia.
- Eating foods and liquids that are too cold.
- Long-term use of tobacco products, and, in addition, alcoholic beverages.
- Infectious pathologies of the respiratory system.
- If you have HIV or AIDS.
- Presence of mechanical damage and injuries of the pharynx.
- Congenital or life-long deviated septum of the nose.
- Presence of polyps or cysts developing in the nasopharynx.
- Rash along with redness of the epithelium, which mainly occurs due to intoxication.
- Prolonged use of nasal drops that produce a vasoconstrictive effect. Such drugs can flow into the throat, causing a pathogenic effect on the mucous membrane.
How does herpetic pharyngitis manifest in children?
Symptomatics in adults and children
The most pronounced and difficult to tolerate symptoms of this disease are children under the age of three. With herpetic pharyngitis in children, bubbles appear in the nasopharynx, which burst over time, turning into small ulcers. In the absence of treatment, such ulcers completely fill the oral cavity, complicating the process of eating food and interfering with normal functioning. The main symptoms of herpetic pharyngitis are the following manifestations:
- The occurrence of sores in the mouth, cheeks or tongue, which are covered with white coating.
- Presence of shortness of breath in the patient.
- The presence of discomfort and itching in the nasopharynx.
- Violation of swallowing processes.
- Sudden loss of appetite.
- Rise in temperature along with swollen lymph nodes.
- The occurrence of dry cough and a sharp change in mood in children. Toddlers may also experience irritability and tearfulness.
Adults tolerate herpetic pharyngitis more easily than children. Babies can develop additional diseases in the form of measles or mononucleosis, which greatly aggravates the condition of the baby. Treatment of this ailment can cause bacterial inflammation of the pharynx and tonsils.
Diagnostics
How to identify herpetic pharyngitis in adults and children?
Diagnosis is carried out to determine the level of damage to the body. At the same time, the root causes of the disease are found out and further therapeutic manipulations are determined. Due to the similarity of symptoms with other inflammatory processes in the mouth (for example, with tonsillitis), the doctor may misinterpret the patient's complaints and prescribe ineffective therapy for this. Conducting high-quality diagnostics eliminates such errors. The basic diagnostic methods are:
- Taking a scraping of the oral mucosa.
- Performing a laboratory study.
- Perform pharyngeal flush/inoculation.
- Palpation, which determines the degree of damage to the lymph nodes.
- Pharingoscopy and antibody testing.
Treatment of children
What is the treatment of herpetic pharyngitis in children? Babies in the presence of this disease are assigned to rinse the mouth about six times a day. After observing progress and a visible result, washing is reduced to three times a day. Taking antipyretic drugs is permissible only after reaching a temperature of thirty-eight degrees. It is acceptable to use similar drugs at a lower temperature if the child has convulsions along with a sharp deterioration in the condition.
After establishing the necessary therapeutic plan, the attending physician writes out a list of acceptable medications. Their reception should be strictly regulated. Do not neglect the recommended dosage and rules for the use of medicines. When treating children, it is important to follow these guidelines:
- A sick child should drink a lot.
- In the room in which the child is located, it is required to maintain a special temperature regime of twenty-two degrees, and the humidity should not exceed sixty percent. You should also ensure a regular supply of fresh air into the room.
- With herpetic pharyngitis in children (photo presented), there should be a normalized diet. You can eat warm food without adding spices. It is forbidden to force a child to eat food if he does not have a desire to do so.
Subject to all the above rules of treatment, the disease, as a rule,retreats already on the sixth or seventh day. For the period of therapy, it is recommended to isolate the baby from peers in order to avoid mass infection. Upon completion of the treatment of herpetic pharyngitis, children are required to undergo repeated tests and carry out medical manipulations to restore the body's natural microflora and immunity as well.
Adult treatment
In the process of treating adults, it is advisable to take broad-spectrum antibiotics, depending on the symptoms and the degree of damage to the body. Also, in addition to treating herpetic pharyngitis, adult patients are prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs.
It will be useful to rinse the mouth with decoctions of calendula, sage, soda solution, chamomile or potassium permanganate. The rinse liquid must be warm. It is forbidden to make compresses along with warming up and other thermal therapeutic manipulations. This is due to the fact that when exposed to high temperatures, pathogenic viruses develop faster and spread throughout the body.
Pregnant women
During pregnancy, you can rinse along with inhalations and take medications selected by your doctor. Pharyngitis in case of improper treatment can cause miscarriage, hypoxia or premature birth. Treatment for pregnant women should be carried out very carefully. Self-treatment along with the use of traditional medicine is prohibited. Permissible manipulations for women,in position are the following:
- Performing mouth rinses.
- Performing inhalations.
- The use of a certain number of medicines, which must be carried out on the basis of an individual selection by a specialist.
General recommendations for pregnant women are also the following tips:
- Women in position in the event of herpetic pharyngitis need to normalize the diet, and at the same time completely eliminate sweet, s alty, smoked and fatty foods. It is important to increase the intake of protein, and, in addition, fiber and vitamin-containing foods. Junk food like soda, fast food and the like should be completely excluded from the diet.
- Maximum physical activity should also be reduced.
- Requires a constant flow of fresh air into the room.
- You should drink plenty. The list of acceptable liquids should be regulated by the attending physician.
- It is very important to strictly follow all medical instructions, constantly consulting with a doctor regarding diet, medication use, and reporting the slightest deterioration in the condition.
Preventive measures
Preventive measures in the development of this disease should consist of strengthening the protective functions of the immune system. It is very important to improve the indicators of the body, which were depressed during the illness. So, for the prevention of herpetic pharyngitis, the following recommendations must be observed:
- Strict personal hygiene.
- Regulating a nutritious diet along with he althy eating habits.
- Stabilization of physical activity.
- Using a vitamin complex and suitable dietary supplements.
- Regular trips to the sea or mountains.
- Maximum protection from all contact with infected patients.
- The use of various methods of hardening the body, for example, dousing, cold showers and more. Such manipulations must be carefully considered and further monitored for the reaction of the body so as not to further aggravate the situation.
- Quit alcohol and cigarettes.
It is important to find out in advance how to prevent herpetic pharyngitis. Angina is a very common complication.
Possible Complications
When a disease such as herpetic pharyngitis occurs, certain complications may occur in case of untimely treatment, for example, the transition of an acute form of pharyngitis into a chronic one is very likely along with the formation of herpetic sore throat. It is not excluded the development of accompanying pathologies in the form of bronchitis, tonsillitis or tracheitis. In addition, generalization of herpes in young children is possible.
