How to treat a sore throat correctly
Educational Program Health / / December 19, 2019
What is angina
Open your mouth. In depth, on both sides of the tongue, are located the so-called tonsilsWhat is tonsillitis?.
This is extremely useful things. They catch viruses and bacteria entering the nasopharynx and in many cases prevent the infecting organism. But sometimes this protective mechanism does not withstand the onslaught of infection. It looks like this:
Inflammation of the tonsils in the international medical practice is called tonsillitis (from the Latin. tonsillae - «tonsils").
In Russia often use the name "angina." It comes from another Latin word - ango - «squeeze, squeeze the soul." This word quite accurately describes the threatening situation: sometimes inflamed tonsils swollen, pus accumulates and increases in size so that almost cover the respiratory tract. And then there is a risk of suffocation.
When you need to call an ambulance
Here are the signs under which require immediateTonsillitis health care:
- It became difficult to breathe.
- There was a swelling tongue and / or neck.
- The muscles of the neck and jaw tensed so that it is difficult to open your mouth.
- It has become difficult, almost impossible to swallow the saliva (it begins to flow from the mouth).
These symptoms indicate that tonsillitis is getting out of control and become deadly. Fortunately, such cases are relatively rare.
What are the symptoms of angina
Tonsillitis in many ways similar to other acute respiratory infections: fever, chills, sore throat... However, there are specific signs that help to recognize angina. Here they are:
- Red obviously swollen tonsils.
- White plaque on them.
- The body temperature of 38,5 ° C.
- Augmentation and morbidity of cervical lymph nodes.
- Absence of cough.
If you see at least two symptoms are likely to have angina it.
An additional feature of angina can be age. Most often affects children up to 15 years.
Tonsils immune function decline after puberty. That's why tonsillitis is rare in adults.
How to treat a sore throat
Most often, a sore throat does not require treatment other than symptomatic (relieves), and runs independentlyTonsillitis for 7-10 days.
However, deciding to treat tonsillitis or not, and if left untreated, then how can a doctor. The fact that a sore throat can be caused by different reasons - relatively safe and dangerous.
Reason 1. viruses
It is they who are to blame for the majority of sore throats. Bad news: how to deal with viruses, medicine properly not invented. Good news: our body copes with such infections on their own.
If the specialist will come to the conclusion that you have only the viral tonsillitis, offers simply relax: lie down and take a sick house.
Reason 2. bacteria
To be precise - streptococcus group A. This subspecies of tonsillitis requires full - not symptomatic! - treatment.
To identify the bacteria, the doctor may do a quick strep test or take a swab from the throat. And further, if the diagnosis "bacterial tonsillitis" confirmed, will appoint antibiotics.
Most likely, your condition will improve after the first dose. It is important to relax and take the tablets or suspension as much as a doctor has prescribed.
Otherwise, the disease had succumbed to the drug, may return with renewed vigor. And this time it will learn to resist antibiotics, so I have to change the drug.
Remember: a bacterial sore throat is not a toy. This disease, if nedolechit, is fraught with unpleasant complications, including:
- Inflammation of the middle ear.
- Formation of internal abscesses (which have to be removed surgically).
- Rheumatism, a negative effect on the heart.
- Glomerulonephritis, violates the kidneys ...
In general, anything good. So, if you are prescribed antibiotics, diligent drink.
How to ease the condition in angina
It's pretty simpleTonsillitis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments:
- Get plenty of rest.
- To soothe a sore throat, drink warm drinks or eat ice cream depending on what the temperature is more comfortable for you.
- Eat foods that do not require chewing and is easy to slip into his throat the same ice cream or, for example, honey, jellies, aspic of rich broth. They do not cause pain when swallowing and at the same time provide the body with energy, which is needed to fight infection.
- Gargle with warm salt water.
- If the pain is severe, you can take medicines based on ibuprofen or paracetamol.
- Suck lozenges that contain benzocaine or other local anesthetics. To relieve pain in the throat and can be used over the counter sprays. However, the study foundManagement of sore throat and indications for tonsillectomyBy performance, they do not differ from the usual rinses, or lozenges, but are more expensive.
- Keep an eye on the humidity in the room, if necessary moisturize his.
When you need to remove the tonsils
Tonsils - such authorities that it is better not to touch. They are an important part of the immune system and to some extent protect the body throughout life.
However, in some cases, if a bacterial sore throat does not give antibiotics or repeated tonsillitis too frequently (more than seven times per year, or more than three times a year for the last three years), your doctor may recommend surgery tonsillotomy.
This operation is called a tonsillectomyTonsillitis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments. It is performed under general anesthesia and lasts 35-40 minutes. A few hours later the patient to go home, and he was completely restored in 7-10 days.
see also
- What does the plaque on the language and how to get rid of it →
- Where does the cold on the lips, and what to do →
- Influenza: how not to get sick, and how to be treated →