pharyngitis Pharyngitis, caused by bacterial or viral infections, as well as environmental factors, refers to the inflammation of the mucous membrane, submucosa, and lymphoid tissue in the pharynx, constituting a non-specific inflammation in the human throat. It can occur independently or in conjunction with other upper respiratory tract inflammations.

Pharyngitis is a collective term for inflammation of the mucous membrane, submucosa, and lymphoid tissue in the pharynx caused by bacterial or viral infections, environmental factors, and other causes. It is a non-specific inflammation of the human pharynx. It can occur independently or in conjunction with other upper respiratory infections.

According to the course of the disease, pharyngitis can be divided into acute pharyngitis and chronic pharyngitis.

Acute Pharyngitis

Acute pharyngitis is characterized by acute inflammation of the pharynx caused by bacterial or viral infections, environmental factors, and other causes. Patients typically experience dryness and burning sensations in the throat, followed by throat pain, discomfort when swallowing, and may be accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever and headache. It can be transmitted through respiratory droplets or close contact among individuals.

Chronic Pharyngitis

Chronic pharyngitis is characterized by diffuse chronic inflammation of the pharynx caused by local factors such as respiratory tract inflammation, environmental irritants, and systemic factors such as anemia and immunodeficiency. It can also be caused by allergic reactions. Patients often exhibit symptoms such as throat itching, foreign body sensation, and dryness, with generally no significant systemic symptoms. The disease course is prolonged and difficult to cure.

Acute Pharyngitis

Viral Infection

This is the most common cause, with common pathogenic viruses including Coxsackie virus, adenovirus, parainfluenza virus, and, less commonly, influenza virus and rhinovirus. It spreads through respiratory droplets and close contact among individuals.

Bacterial Infection

Common pathogenic bacteria include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and pneumococcus. Infection with Group A streptococcus is particularly severe and can lead to purulent lesions in the throat tissue.

Environmental Factors

Dust, irritating gases, dryness, and smoke in an unhealthy environment can trigger pharyngitis.

Chronic Pharyngitis

Local Factors

Recurrent acute pharyngitis, as well as irritants such as smoking, alcohol, spicy foods, and dust, can all trigger chronic pharyngitis. It can also be secondary to chronic inflammation in the surrounding areas of the pharynx, such as chronic tonsillitis and periodontal disease.

Systemic Factors

Anemia, indigestion, chronic lower respiratory tract inflammation, and immunodeficiency can also trigger chronic pharyngitis.

Acute Pharyngitis

Symptoms typically develop rapidly. Patients initially experience a burning and itching sensation in the throat, which progresses to throat pain and discomfort when swallowing, and in severe cases, may extend to the ears, causing pain. Systemic symptoms may be present, such as fever, chills, and headache, with varying degrees of severity depending on individual constitution.

Chronic Pharyngitis

It often presents as throat dryness, itching, a sensation of a foreign body, and difficulty expelling secretions, and is relatively stubborn, with no significant systemic symptoms. Due to the viscous secretions adhering to the posterior pharyngeal wall, patients often experience irritating dry cough upon waking in the morning, accompanied by nausea and dry retching.

Encourage increased water intake and consume easily digestible foods to maintain regular bowel movements.

Maintain a certain level of physical activity and ensure adequate sleep, balance work and rest, strengthen personal constitution, and enhance immune function.

Improve personal habits, quit smoking and drinking as much as possible.

Keep the living environment clean, moist, and comfortable, and reduce inhalation of dust and smoke.

Actively treat chronic respiratory inflammations such as rhinitis and bronchitis to reduce the likelihood of pharyngitis.

Acute Pharyngitis

Treatment mainly includes internal medicine, external treatment, and bloodletting acupuncture.

Internal medicine involves oral medication, such as Jie Geng Gan Cao Tang and Er Ding Chong Ji, to dispel wind, clear heat, reduce swelling, and alleviate pain.

External treatment mainly involves inhalation therapy, as well as gargling and oral intake, such as Huang Lian Jie Du Pian, to detoxify, reduce swelling, disperse nodules, and benefit the throat.

Additionally, bloodletting acupuncture can be used to expel pathogenic factors and eliminate toxins, often targeting the distal points of the patient's limbs.

Chronic Pharyngitis

Due to the patient's yin deficiency and the upward disturbance of deficient fire, a combination of Chinese patent medicine or herbal medicine is often used for more effective treatment.

Develop good habits, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing to minimize the spread of pathogens.

Rinse the mouth with warm salt water (200ml water with a teaspoon of salt) after meals to remove bacteria and oral debris and maintain oral hygiene.

Use a humidifier at the head of the bed to increase environmental humidity, relieving throat dryness and itching.

Reduce smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke to minimize discomfort in the throat.

Diet: For pharyngitis patients, attention to daily diet can help avoid recurrent episodes.

Diet Recommendations: The diet should be light, focusing on easily digestible foods such as congee; consume vegetables and fruits with heat-clearing and fire-reducing properties, such as bitter chrysanthemum and bitter melon.

Diet Restrictions: Try to avoid raw, cold, and spicy foods to minimize irritation to the throat.

Rest and Exercise: Ensure adequate sleep, engage in moderate physical exercise to enhance immune function, and promote improvement and recovery of pharyngitis, reducing the likelihood of recurrence. Also, try to avoid speaking loudly or coughing vigorously to minimize strong irritation to the throat.

For patients with acute allergic pharyngitis, close monitoring is necessary, and oxygen therapy may be considered if needed. If the condition is severe and affects the throat, leading to symptoms such as difficulty breathing, a tracheotomy may be considered.

Reduce close contact with pharyngitis patients and avoid sharing food, drinks, or utensils.

Develop good hygiene habits, such as washing hands before meals and after going out, to avoid bacterial or viral infections.

Identify allergens and avoid consuming foods that may cause allergies.

Maintain a clean living environment, minimizing exposure to dust, pollution, haze, and other environmental factors.

Actively treat upper respiratory inflammations that may trigger pharyngitis, such as rhinitis and tonsillitis.