Ulcerative membranous angina (Simanovsky-Vincent) is a special kind of purulent type tonsillitis, which is extremely rare in modern medical practice. This is due to the underestimated contagious activity of the pathology. That is, this type of angina is practically not contagious. In addition, the development of pathology requires the coincidence of several provoking factors.
The most susceptible to the disease are young people at the time of decreasing resistance to negative environmental factors. This is especially true of beriberi, malnutrition and various oncological diseases.
Causes of ulcerative membranous angina
This disease appears as a result of the active reproduction of special spindle-shaped spirochetes and bacilli. These pathogens of ulcerative-membranous angina are classified as saprophytes that live in the human oral cavity. Harmful bacteria begin to show activity against the background of a weakening of the protective propertiesorganism resulting from various diseases, poor personal hygiene, as well as bad habits such as addiction to alcohol or drugs.
Pathology is of infectious origin and affects mainly the mucous membranes of the mouth and larynx. Ulcerative membranous tonsillitis is classified as dangerous to he alth diseases. The photos below reflect all the unpleasant symptoms that a person experiences.
In medical practice, there are quite a few cases when pathology was detected in patients with periodontitis, caries and other dental diseases that contribute to the creation of favorable conditions for the active reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, we can conclude that dental problems may well become a prerequisite for the development of ulcerative-film tonsillitis.
Clinical course of the disease
The course of the disease has a number of characteristic features, thanks to which it is possible to recognize angina at an early stage. Consider some of them:
- Latent onset of illness. The patient may complain of discomfort when swallowing and slight soreness in the throat. In the future, the pain syndrome becomes more pronounced.
- Asymmetry. As a rule, the pathology is localized on one tonsil. Bilateral involvement is much less common.
- Changes in the oropharynx. Tonsils are covered with a specific film, which is easily removed with a cotton swab. Under it are foundsores, sometimes bleeding.
- The general condition of the patient is satisfactory. There are no symptoms of intoxication of the body.
- In advanced cases, necrosis can spread to adjacent tissues. Sometimes the tongue and gums are involved.
- Bad breath.
In the vast majority of cases, timely therapy leads to complete recovery.
Symptoms
At the initial stage of development of ulcerative membranous angina, the following characteristic symptoms appear:
- Feeling uncomfortable when swallowing.
- Sore throat.
- Mild soreness, reminiscent of a cold.
The film on the tonsils may be grayish or pale yellow. The color of the plaque resembles the remains of a stearin candle, and the spots themselves can also cover the anterior arch of the tonsils. The film is surrounded by an inflamed edge. After removing the film, you can see many sores with clear edges. They are usually yellow in color.
Symptoms and treatment of ulcerative membranous angina are interrelated.
If the disease continues for a long time, the ulcers penetrate deeper and become crater-like. If timely therapy is not carried out, the deformation of the tonsils can affect deeper tissues, penetrating inside. Sometimes the disease spreads to the mucous membranes of the tongue and gums and even captures the periosteum. Sometimes the disease also reaches the tongue.
Lymph nodes
Lymph nodes may be slightly enlarged against the background of peptic ulcer sore throat and cause slight discomfort. Bad breath is reminiscent of putrefaction. A concomitant disease of this type of angina in every tenth case is diphtheria. If left untreated, the lymph nodes will become very enlarged, the smell from the mouth will become more intense, and the sore throat will become unbearable.
Body temperature
As for body temperature, against the background of ulcerative-film tonsillitis, it usually does not increase or stays within subfebrile indicators. However, with the progression of the disease, a significant increase in temperature is also possible. Many attribute the first symptoms of the disease to a cold, and as a result, the disease is detected at later stages.
How to treat ulcerative membranous angina, not everyone knows.
General characteristics and possible complications
The main characteristics of ulcerative angina are:
- Pronounced salivation.
- Pain while swallowing or chewing food.
- Bad breath.
- Swollen adjacent lymph nodes causing pain on palpation.
- Increased body temperature.
- Increased ESR.
- Moderate leukocytosis.
Some of the listed symptoms of the disease can stop duringtherapy, but they are completely eliminated only after recovery.
If you do not carry out timely treatment of peptic ulcerative angina, the following complications may develop:
- Acute rheumatic fever.
- Jade with risk of transformation into kidney failure.
- Chronic tonsillitis.
- Polyarthritis of infectious origin.
In advanced cases, treatment may continue for several months until the patient fully recovers.
Diagnosis
The most informative method for diagnosing ulcerative membranous tonsillitis is a scraping taken from the patient's throat. This method allows you to confirm or refute the presence of spindle-shaped rods and spirochetes on the mucous membrane. It is also important to make a differential diagnosis with the following pathologies:
- Diphtheria throat. It differs from angina in the defeat of both tonsils at once. Ulcers found during bacteriological analysis rule out diphtheria.
- Necrotic variety of sore throat.
- Ulcers of the syphilitic type. By external manifestations, it is rather difficult to distinguish between two pathologies. For differentiation, the Wassermann reaction is carried out.
- Neoplasm. A biopsy and cystological examination are performed to confirm the diagnosis.
- Angina secondary type.
To accurately diagnose "ulcerative angina", it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination and a number ofresearch using various methods. This will distinguish pathology from other more serious diseases, as well as exclude SARS, influenza or scarlet fever.
Treatment of ulcerative membranous angina
After the examination was carried out and the diagnosis was confirmed, the specialist prescribes the appropriate treatment. It is important that this be done on the basis of indicators obtained from the analyzes and taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient.
An obligatory condition for treatment is taking antibacterial drugs. This is necessary to increase local immunity and its resistance to pathogenic microflora. It is also necessary to carry out treatment with topical preparations, for example, treat the mucous membrane with tincture of iodine, copper sulfate or a solution based on silver nitrate. In addition, a solution of novarsenol based on glycerin, as well as methylene blue, is used to treat the affected areas.
Doctors may recommend treating the throat with a solution of potassium permanganate with hydrogen peroxide. Rinsing should be done at least three times a day. If there is no positive dynamics for several days, powder with novarsenol is included in the treatment. This substance can also be injected. The dosage is prescribed by the doctor depending on the age and condition of the patient.
Additionally, the treatment of the tonsils with a sweet solution is prescribed. This creates an unfavorable environment for pathogens of ulcerative-film tonsillitis. It is also important to follow a special diet and eat foods rich in minerals andvitamins.
Prevention
To prevent recurrence of ulcerative-membranous angina, it is necessary to start treatment in a timely manner and carry it out until complete recovery. Sometimes experts prescribe the intake of vitamin complexes, which allows you to increase the body's resistance to the effects of a negative environment, as well as enrich it with all the necessary minerals.
The basis for the prevention of angina is personal oral hygiene. This includes not only brushing your teeth, but also regular visits to the dentist and timely treatment of emerging dental problems, such as cavities.
In addition, it is important to make an effort to strengthen immunity. To do this, you need to temper the body, play sports and eat a balanced diet. You can also start taking vitamin complexes. However, this step requires consultation with a doctor.
