Purulent Sore Throat In Children And Adults - Symptoms, Complications And Consequences. Treatment Of Purulent Sore Throat, How To Gargle?

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Symptoms, complications and treatment of purulent sore throat in children and adults

Purulent sore throat is a fairly common and unpleasant disease. Many have had this serious illness in childhood. There are several types of tonsillitis (tonsillitis). One of them is purulent tonsillitis, which is characterized by the appearance of a typical purulent plaque on the tonsils. This is a fairly common disease, but many patients with purulent sore throat do not treat it well enough, which causes it to flow into a chronic form.

This disease appears due to severe inflammation of the tonsils, due to the ingress of various bacteria, in particular - streptococci. Purulent tonsillitis is transmitted through the air (coughing, sneezing, talking with the patient), so the patient must be isolated for the period of illness.

It should be emphasized that an important factor in the appearance of purulent sore throat can be any gum disease or caries, since these diseases imply a certain resource of pathogenic microbes. And, by the way, an untreated runny nose can also provoke the development of purulent tonsillitis.

Chills, severe aches throughout the body, a significant increase in body temperature, enlarged tonsils, lymph nodes are almost always sure signs of this disease. With purulent sore throat, a white coating appears on the tongue and a rather unpleasant aftertaste is felt in the mouth.

The cause of purulent tonsillitis is infection of the tonsils with streptococcus from the hemolytic group. The primary lesion of the tonsils is explained by the tropism (susceptibility) of these tissues with the antigens of this microorganism. In addition, the tonsils, being an accumulation of lymphoid tissue, act as a natural factor in the body's defense against harmful microbes. If they do not cope with this task, their inflammation occurs, which is called sore throat.

Statistics. The defeat of the ENT organs is such a common type of disease that experts cannot even accurately calculate their number, which is associated with the complexity of the anatomical structure of this area and the frequent sluggish course of chronic inflammatory processes. People with similar complaints often perceive them as normal conditions and pay attention to them only when they are exacerbated. One of these diseases is purulent tonsillitis - an infectious and inflammatory disease characterized by damage to the tonsils and surrounding tissues, accompanied by local changes in the oropharynx and general toxic reactions.

Content:

• Symptoms of purulent sore throat
• Purulent sore throat in children
• Treatment of purulent sore throat
• What to gargle with?
• Complications and consequences

Symptoms of purulent sore throat

During the course of the disease, two types are distinguished: acute and chronic. In the case of an acute variant, the problem arises for the first time. This happens more often in childhood, since adults are less susceptible to the effects of streptococcal microflora against the background of atrophied tonsils. The chronic process is typical for both children and adults, and is always associated with dense colonization of microbes in the crypts and lacunae of the tonsils. They very often turn out to be closed and purulent discharge cannot flow freely to the surface. This is the basis of frequent exacerbations, which have an identical picture with the primary process.

• A sore throat. It is characterized by pronounced intensity, increases with any movements of the palate and attempts to swallow.
• General hyperthermic reaction in the form of an increase in temperature to high numbers (38.3 ° C and above).
• Decreased appetite and general weakness. Associated with refusal to eat as a result of increased pain at the same time.
• Headache, sweating, bone, muscle and joint pain. They are signs of intoxication as a result of a powerful release into the blood of the waste products of streptococcus.
• Increased palatine tonsils. The degree of this phenomenon can reach extreme sizes when the hypertrophied palatine tonsils completely block the entrance to the pharynx. They are always covered with purulent layers on the surface and in gaps, which can be removed without difficulty.
• Increase in regional groups of lymph nodes (submandibular, parotid, occipital).

These symptoms are typical signs of a common sore throat, which is not accompanied by complications. If they occur, both local and distant tissues are affected. In this case, such diseases may occur:

• Paratonsillar abscess - suppuration of the tonsils with the formation of a purulent cavity in the surrounding tissues.
• Rheumatism in the form of rheumatic carditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and arthritis (inflammation of the articular cartilage of the large joints).
• Glomerulonephritis. It is an inflammatory lesion of the renal tissue, which is accompanied by their destruction and dysfunction.
• Purulent tonsillitis in its chronic course can become a source of development of any pyoinflammatory diseases (abscesses of the liver, brain, abdominal cavity, lungs, etc.) as a result of hematogenous spread of infection through the blood to the foci of their inflammation.

Purulent sore throat in children

Most often, sore throats find their primary development precisely in childhood, which is possible already from the 3-year period. This is due to the fact that at the specified time, the differentiation of the immune mechanisms of antimicrobial protection occurs. But this factor alone is not enough for the onset of the disease. The development of angina is possible with the layering of several mechanisms:

• Sensitivity and susceptibility of the body and tissues of the child to streptococcus antigens. They are strictly individual, which explains the development of the disease only in some of the children who are in contact with patients.
• The presence of immune dysfunction associated with other diseases that could cause depletion of the body's defenses.
• Postponed respiratory infections.
• Chronic foci of infection of other ENT organs (adenoids, sinusitis, ethmoiditis).
• Local hypothermia of the throat or the general effect of low temperatures on the child's body.

More about angina in children

The clinical picture of the disease is characterized by symptoms that are described earlier. But here, too, there are some peculiarities associated with the child's inability to limit the process only to the tonsils. Therefore, if angina develops in childhood, then it is accompanied by a very severe course and is almost always complicated by other processes.

As for local changes in the tonsils, they can be in the nature of follicular or lacunar tonsillitis. In the first case, it looks like pinpoint accumulations of pus on the surface and inside the tonsil. The inflammatory process may resolve at this stage. If this does not happen, then it transforms into a lacunar sore throat, in which purulent layers spread in the form of films covering almost the entire surface of the enlarged tonsils.

Treatment of purulent sore throat

According to the recommendations of the Society of Otorhinolaryngologists and Infectious Diseases Specialists who treat tonsil lesions, such measures must be included in the treatment process.

1. Antibiotics for purulent sore throat. The advantage in choosing a drug should be given to protected semi-synthetic aminopenicillins (augmentin, amoxiclav), cephalosporins of the 2nd or 3rd generation (cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime). Drugs from the macrolide group (macropen, azithromycin) are prescribed as alternatives in case of an allergic reaction to substances of the penicillin series.

On the subject: The most effective antibiotic for angina

2. Local effects on the tonsils. Any violent manipulation on purulent foci should be excluded. This is due to the fact that when pressure is applied to the hypertrophied tonsils, toxic products are absorbed into the systemic circulation. You can gently rinse your throat with solutions of water antiseptics in the form of liquids or special sprays (lugol, chlorhexidine, inhalipt, chlorophyllipt, trachisan, yoks, orasept, gorlospas, etc.).

3. Antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs. Their use will provide a decrease in swelling and sore throat, as well as reduce general toxic manifestations. The most common are claritin, tavegil, erius, mefenamic acid, paracetamol, nurofen.

4. Infusion and detoxification therapy. In case of severe intoxication or complications, infusion-detoxification therapy and glucocorticoid hormones (methylprednisolone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone) are prescribed without fail.

5. Bicillin prophylaxis, is prescribed after stopping the exacerbation of the process. Bicillin-5 is used - a drug from the group of long-acting penicillins. It is administered at a frequency of 1 time per 3-4 weeks for 6 months.

List of the best home remedies for sore throat

With purulent sore throat, in no case should you postpone treatment or carry it out yourself at home. This is fraught with serious complications or chronicity of the process.

How to gargle with purulent sore throat?

Often, most of the colds, infectious diseases begin identically - perspiration, a nasty sensation in the throat, painful swallowing. Regardless of the reason for such feelings, it is necessary to take measures to eliminate the negative consequences. And this is especially important with purulent sore throat, since the accumulated pus can get into the internal tissues, provoking a dangerous infection of the blood. For this reason, it is necessary to take measures to disinfect the oral cavity (removal of pus, rinsing the oral mucosa).

Here are some recipes for preparing infusions and decoctions for rinsing the mouth with purulent sore throat.

Recipe number 1. Effective product "Sea water". For a glass of hot water: 1 tsp. soda salt, 5 drops of iodine. Gargling with such a remedy is recommended at least 4-5 times a day.

Recipe number 2. Beet juice is a common home remedy that has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. It quickly relieves pain and swelling from the affected tonsils. To rinse, you need 200 ml of beetroot juice and 20 ml of vinegar, rinse every 3 hours.

Recipe number 3. Lemon juice is excellent for soothing pain and improving swallowing. Mix 1/3 cup lemon juice with 2/3 cup water.

Recipe number 4. An infusion of chamomile, calendula flowers, eucalyptus is a miracle cure for gargling. We take 1 tbsp. l. collection for 1 st. boiling water. The resulting mixture must be insisted, cooled and rinsed with purulent sore throat.

Recipe number 5. Another no less valuable infusion of chamomile, St. John's wort, calendula has been used since ancient times. You need to take 1 tbsp. l. collection for 1 glass of boiling water. Then insist, cool and rinse.

Recipe number 6. You can prepare another equally effective infusion. We take plantain leaves, wormwood herb, calendula flowers in equal amounts. In a glass of boiling water, brew about 2 tbsp. l., then insist on a water bath. The finished infusion must be well filtered before rinsing.

Recipe number 7. You can prepare a unique remedy from 1 tsp. sage leaves, 1 tsp. elderflower flowers, 1 tsp. mallow flowers. A well-mixed mixture must be insisted in 0.5 liters of boiling water. And then strain thoroughly. Infusions of calendula, chamomile, propolis, linden, black tea are also very effective.

Other folk remedies for angina

Lugol with purulent sore throat. A simple Lugol's solution will help get rid of a sore throat. This is a unique disinfecting drug that contains iodine, glycerol, potassium iodide, distilled water. Lugol has a powerful antibacterial and disinfectant effect. It is considered an effective tool in the fight against gram-positive and gram-negative flora, disease-causing fungi, including yeast. Staphylococcus aureus is more resistant to iodine, but, nevertheless, with prolonged treatment with Lugol, it also collapses.

Modern drugs. Modern medicines that are designed to disinfect the oral cavity give no less results. The most universal remedy for patients of any age is furacilin. It is a strong antiseptic that can show excellent results in the treatment of angina. To prepare a rinse solution, dissolve 2 tablets in warm boiled water (200 ml).

Chlorophyllipt is another remedy. It is sold ready-made in pharmacies, you can gargle every hour. Truly effective pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs are: a solution of boric acid (1 tsp for 1 tbsp of warm water), a solution of three percent hydrogen peroxide (1 tsp for 1 tbsp of warm water), a weak solution of potassium permanganate (crystals potassium permanganate completely dissolve in water).

The treatment will be more effective if you use all the proposed rinsing agents in turn, since the bacteria adapt rather quickly. Therefore, using different solutions is likely to avoid addiction and improve treatment results.

Complications and consequences of purulent sore throat

Do not be afraid of a purulent sore throat disease - the main thing is to diagnose and begin treatment on time. But there is no need to underestimate the consequences that this disease leaves behind. After all, the very first from complications caused by angina, the human heart system suffers, since the microbes that provoke angina, along with the blood, enter the heart muscle.

First, they form an inflammatory center there, which can be exacerbated by rheumatic myocarditis, moreover, not immediately, but after several months. As a result, it is fraught with rheumatic heart disease. And all this is due to a sore throat not treated in time or its incorrect treatment. Also, the list of complications includes otitis media, enlarged lymph nodes, and in some cases blood poisoning.

A common complication of a dangerous purulent sore throat is acute paratonsillitis (a large amount of pus near the tonsils struck by sore throat). The reasons for such a complication may be significant hypothermia of the patient at the onset of the disease, disturbance of rest and bed rest, unauthorized discontinuation of medications, thinking that they have already recovered. Such complications require mandatory surgical intervention.

There is another rather dangerous complication of purulent tonsillitis - a pharyngeal abscess, which is especially common among children. A child who has had a sore throat begins to accumulate pus in the lymph nodes near the pharynx. At the same time, it hurts him to swallow, there is a cough and a sudden increase in body temperature. This is fraught with suffocation, since the swollen lymph nodes almost completely block the laryngeal passage and interfere with normal breathing. In this regard, surgical intervention for an abscess is vital.

In addition, complications of purulent sore throat include laryngitis, neck diseases, otitis media, and kidney disease. Complications are with purulent sore throat caused by streptococcus. Then scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, septic arthritis, acute glomerulonephritis may develop. If pus enters the tissue around the tonsils, paratonsillar abscess and mediastinitis are possible.

Severe swelling of the tonsils can block the entrance to the throat, which causes shortness of breath, especially in babies during sleep. If an infection gets into the maxillary sinuses, it is possible to develop sinusitis or sinusitis. 2-3 days after the antibiotic intake is finished due to the disappearance of the symptoms of angina, paratonsillitis or phlegmonous tonsillitis may appear. In this case, the symptoms of purulent sore throat are observed, only the throat hurts constantly. The patient's condition is consistently difficult and can only be treated with potent antibiotics.

The author of the article: Lazarev Oleg Vladimirovich | ENT

Education: In 2009, he received a diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" at the Petrozavodsk State University. After completing an internship at the Murmansk Regional Clinical Hospital, he received a diploma in Otorhinolaryngology (2010)