Sore throat: main causes and treatment methods

Author:

Amelicheva Alena Aleksandrovna medical editor

With a sore throat, a person complains of soreness, scratching, irritation, discomfort, and a burning sensation in the throat. The throat is sore, it is difficult to swallow food, drink, these sensations intensify when swallowing or talking.

Sore throat may be accompanied by swelling of the throat mucosa, difficulty swallowing, soreness and enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes, the appearance of white or yellowish spots on the tonsils, coughing, sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, fever, chills, excessive salivation, muscle and joint pain, headache, nausea and vomiting, skin rash, loss of appetite, feeling of a lump in the throat, heartburn, hoarseness.

Causes of sore throat

All causes of a sore throat can be divided into two large groups:

• infectious:
  these include, among others, various colds of the upper respiratory tract, for example, pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa) and laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx mucosa). They can develop against the background of viral, bacterial and fungal infections. In addition to a sore throat, such diseases are accompanied by fever, symptoms of intoxication (headache, weakness, loss of appetite), runny nose, dry or wet cough;
• non-infectious:

  in this case, tickling may be due to:

• allergic reactions - to dust, plant pollen, particles of epidermis and animal hair, to food and drinks;
• excessive load on the vocal cords - among teachers, singers, actors;
• inhalation of substances with an irritating effect (tobacco smoke, hot, cold and dusty air, industrial and chemical dust);
• neurotic reactions;
• injuries to the pharynx and foreign bodies (fish bone, food particles stuck to the mucous membranes, small parts of toys in children). allergic reactions - to dust, plant pollen, particles of epidermis and animal hair, to food and drinks;
• excessive load on the vocal cords - among teachers, singers, actors;
• inhalation of substances with an irritating effect (tobacco smoke, hot, cold and dusty air, industrial and chemical dust);
• neurotic reactions;
• injuries to the pharynx and foreign bodies (fish bone, food particles stuck to the mucous membranes, small parts of toys in children).

Grammidin Neo

This complex action throat medicine is available in spray and tablet form. It contains three active substances: gramicidin C, oxybuprocaine, cetylpyridinium chloride. Gramicidin is a topical antibiotic; Oxybuprocaine is an anesthetic with a strong analgesic effect; the last substance is an antiseptic. Thanks to this complex action, Grammidin effectively relieves inflammation, suppresses the proliferation of microbes and supports local immunity in the fight against pathogens. The analgesic effect of throat tablets lasts for an hour after resorption.

"Grammidin" is prescribed for inflammatory and infectious lesions of the throat (tonsillitis, pharyngitis), sore throat, stomatitis and gingivitis.

After eating, you need to slowly dissolve the tablets until completely dissolved, then do not drink or eat for a couple of hours. You can take no more than 4 tablets per day. These throat lozenges are not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Grammidin Neo

PJSC Valenta Pharm, Russia

Grammidin Neo is an antibacterial agent for topical use, for resorption in the oral cavity.
Infectious and inflammatory diseases of the mouth and throat, accompanied by severe pain: acute pharyngitis, tonsillitis, tonsillitis, periodontitis, gingivitis, stomatitis. from 158

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How to get rid of a sore throat?

Non-drug methods.

Before you get rid of a sore throat, you need to find out the exact reasons that caused it. In situations where the diagnosis of a cold is beyond doubt (there are other typical symptoms), and the infection itself is relatively mild, you can limit yourself to non-drug therapy and the use of safe medications, preferably natural remedies.

Even a slight sore throat should not be left unattended - if left untreated, the disease can “go downhill” involving the lower respiratory tract in the inflammatory process or become chronic, intractable. For non-drug treatment of sore throat, the following is also used:

• warm drink. It is recommended to take warm (not hot or cold!) liquid, with a temperature of about 40°C. For non-allergic inflammation, irritation of the laryngeal mucosa can be prescribed with herbal decoctions, tea with honey, milk with a small amount of butter and soda (on the tip of a knife). If you are prone to allergies, it is preferable to use heated mineral water, tea, or plain boiled water. The liquid should be drunk in small sips, holding it in the mouth for some time, as often as possible;
• rinsing with warm alkaline solutions, decoctions of anti-inflammatory herbs;
• warming, distracting and physiotherapy (foot baths, inhalations, FUF, etc.).

Medication methods. In cases where it is not possible to get rid of a sore throat for a long time (a week or more) or if other alarming symptoms are noted (high temperature, severe weakness, severe cough), it is recommended to consult a doctor and, after prescribing, use medications:

• products for topical use - lozenges and lozenges, throat sprays, antiseptic solutions for rinsing;
• agents for systemic use – anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, etc.

Faringosept

These are lozenges with different flavors: cinnamon, honey, lemon, cocoa). The active substance of Faringosept is ambazone, it works as an antiseptic, has an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect. Relieves mild to moderate sore throat, inhibits the proliferation of pathogenic microbes. You can feel the maximum effect of Faringosept 30 minutes after dissolving the drug.

Throat tablets are prescribed for infectious and inflammatory processes (tonsillitis, pharyngitis), for preventive purposes after treatment of gums or teeth, for ARVI (in complex therapy).

The tablets dissolve slowly after eating, then it is better not to eat or drink anything for a couple of hours. The maximum allowed number of tablets per day is 5 pieces. Faringosept can be prescribed to pregnant and lactating women, and patients with diabetes should keep in mind the presence of sweeteners in the composition.

Faringosept

JSC Naturotherapy, Russia

Prevention and treatment of acute infectious and inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity and larynx (tonsillitis, stomatitis, gingivitis).
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Herbal cough lozenges Doctor MOM®

To treat a sore throat, you can use a natural preparation - Doctor MOM® herbal cough lozenges with the “FITO BRONHO formula”1 with extracts of 3 medicinal plants. The drug is approved for use in adults (from 18 years of age) for resorption in the oral cavity - 1 lozenge every 2 hours, up to 10 lozenges per day. Herbal cough lozenges Doctor MOM® have a complex anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic and expectorant effect. The active components of the product reduce the manifestations of inflammation and irritation of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, which helps eliminate soreness, discomfort and a feeling of dryness in the throat. Doctor MOM® lozenges are indicated for the symptomatic treatment of infectious and non-infectious inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract (including “lecture” laryngitis ), accompanied by a sore throat and an unproductive, obsessive cough.

Septolete Total

This drug for treating the throat is available in tablet and spray form. It contains two active ingredients: benzydamine and cetylpyridinium chloride, as well as levomenthol and eucalyptus oil. "Septolete Total" anesthetizes the throat, has an antimicrobial, antifungal and antiseptic effect. Relieves swelling of mucous membranes and freshens breath.

Septolete Total is prescribed when there is a sore throat due to ARVI, for sore throats, pharyngitis and tonsillitis, in the complex treatment of gingivitis and stomatitis. The tablets should be slowly dissolved every 3 hours (but no more than 6 tablets per day). "Septolete Total" can be used by pregnant and lactating women, and diabetics - with caution due to the sugar in the drug.

Septolete Total

KRKA (KRKA), Slovenia

Symptomatic treatment of pain syndrome of inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity and ENT organs (of various etiologies): gingivitis, glossitis, stomatitis (including after radiation and chemotherapy);
pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis; candidiasis of the oral mucosa (as part of combination therapy); calculous inflammation of the salivary glands; after surgical interventions and injuries (tonsillectomy, jaw fractures); after treatment and tooth extraction; periodontal disease. from 133

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Literature

1. T.I. Garashchenko. Sore throats in children and their systemic antibacterial therapy. Consilium Medicum. Pediatrics. (Add.) 2008; 02: 14-20.
2. E. I. Krasnova, N. I. Khokhlova. Differential diagnosis and treatment tactics for acute tonsillitis (angina) at the present stage. Attending physician No. 11/2018; Page numbers in the issue: 58-63.
3. Clinical recommendations (treatment protocol) for providing medical care to children with tonsillitis (acute streptococcal tonsillitis), FSBI NIIDI FMBA of Russia, 2015.
4. Tatochenko V.K.. Once again about antipyretics. Issues of modern pediatrics. Volume 6 No. 2 2007, p. 128-130.
5. Instructions for the drug HEXORAL® SOLUTION.
6. Instructions for the drug HEXORAL® in AEROSOL form.
7. Instructions for the drug HEXORAL® TABS.
8. Instructions for the drug HEXORAL® TABS CLASSIC.
9. Instructions for the drug HEXORAL® TABS EXTRA.

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Sage

These throat lozenges are made with sage extract and essential oil. And although “Sage” does not contain medicinal substances, but only natural ingredients, lozenges perfectly relieve inflammation of the throat mucosa, destroy pathogenic microbes, and have an expectorant effect. For any diseases of the mouth and throat, you can use Sage lozenges as part of complex therapy. Patients note the completely natural composition of the drug, its rapid action and pleasant taste. “Sage” not only reduces symptoms, but actually heals the throat.

Sage

Bausch Health, Canada

Sage is a lozenge of plant origin that has an antiseptic effect.
A combined preparation containing a complex of biologically active substances. It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, expectorant effects, and has astringent properties. from 10

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Forms of the disease in children

All types of acute tonsillitis occur in children, but their prevalence depends on age.

Sore throat in a child 1-3 years of age is more likely (44% of cases) associated with a herpetic infection2. Only 35% of cases of the disease are the result of the activity of streptococci2.

In children aged 3 to 7 years, tonsillitis is more often bacterial, but streptococci are found only in 28% of cases2. Further, the picture changes towards the predominance of streptococcal infection and in adolescents it already accounts for up to 52% of cases of inflammation.

According to the picture of pathological changes in the tonsils1, inflammation of the tonsils can be:

• Erythematous (catarrhal), accompanied by redness of the tonsils and palatine arches. Viral tonsillitis, streptococcal (in the initial stages of development) or atypical, caused by Yersinia, mycoplasma, chlamydia, have such a clinical picture.
• Vesicular, characterized by the appearance of vesicles with turbid liquid on the tonsils, after opening of which small erosions form on the mucous membrane. This is how herpetic sore throats, tonsillitis with measles, and chickenpox occur.
• Membranous, in which purulent or necrotic films appear on the tonsils1. In lacunar forms, the film forms pus flowing from the lacunae, which is easily removed with a swab2. True films in diphtheria are firmly connected to the underlying tissue of the tonsils2.

According to the severity of the course, acute tonsillitis in children can be:

• light,
• moderate severity,
• heavy.

With the flow:

• without complications,
• with complications.

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Dr. Theiss

Doctor Theiss throat lozenges are prescribed for throat irritation; they perfectly relieve mild pain. The instructions say that the drug contains “Swiss herbal extract”, but it does not spell out which ones exactly. In addition, it contains vitamin C, peppermint oil, and menthol. These lozenges are good at soothing sore throats, relieving irritation and hoarseness, suppressing coughing attacks, and stimulating local immunity. The drug is inexpensive. Patients in the reviews note that Doctor Theiss lollipops taste like regular candies, but diabetics can also take them, because they contain a sweetener.

Dr. Theiss

Dr. Theiss Naturwaren, Germany

Treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity and pharynx (pain when swallowing).
from 90

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Symptoms of the disease

Despite the variety of forms, the signs of tonsillitis in children are largely similar. Let us analyze the clinical picture of the disease using the example of the most dangerous streptococcal inflammation1,2.

The incubation period ranges from several hours to 4-5 days - on average 2-4 days3. The onset of the disease is acute - symptoms of infection appear and develop quickly. The introduction of microbes into the tissue of the tonsils leads to their inflammation and the formation of a large amount of toxins. Their absorption causes poisoning of the body and the appearance of general symptoms of intoxication.

General symptoms:

• From the nervous system, weakness, drowsiness, lethargy, tearfulness and headaches are noted. A child of 2-3 years old during a sore throat usually becomes lethargic, begins to be capricious, cry for no reason, goes to bed in the daytime, although he usually refuses to sleep during the day. Older children complain of fatigue.
• Fever occurs as a result of irritation of the thermoregulation center by streptococcal toxins2,4. Sore throat in children is usually characterized by a rapid rise in temperature to 390 C and above, accompanied by chills, pale skin and lips, and cold extremities4.
• Febrile seizures in children (usually under 3 years of age) can occur against the background of a rapid rise in temperature4. They are expressed in twitching of individual muscle fibers or muscles, or in the form of a general seizure, in which the baby’s entire body tenses and bends in an arc.
• Nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain indicate a severe course of the disease1.
• Body aches, muscle and joint pain : Young children may complain of pain in their arms and legs1.

Local symptoms

These are the visible changes occurring in the throat and the sensations they cause. Depending on their nature, catarrhal, follicular, lacunar tonsillitis, as well as necrotic (ulcerative-necrotic, membranous-necrotic) acute tonsillitis are distinguished.

Catarrhal inflammation develops in all cases as the initial stage of the pathological process 1.3. If the immune system is strong and antibacterial treatment of a child’s sore throat is started on time, the disease can stop at this stage and then begin its reverse development3.

The tonsils, arches, soft palate and uvula look red and swollen. There are no raids on them. The baby develops a foreign body sensation, sore throat and sore throat when swallowing, and drooling.

Follicular tonsillitis is characterized by purulent melting of the follicles of the tonsils. Through the inflamed bright red mucous membrane of the tonsils, whitish-yellowish islands, the size of a grain of rice (3-4 mm), are visible. In this case, there is no pus on the surface of the tonsils - it is located inside under the mucous membrane.

In the case of lacunar tonsillitis, yellowish-white pus is secreted from the lacunae onto the surface of the tonsils and covers them with a thin layer, forming easily removable films. The smell from the mouth becomes sweetish-sweet, putrid, the pain in the throat becomes constant, independent of food intake. The baby's appetite decreases and he refuses to eat.

With necrotic sore throat in children, the throat looks uniformly red, large, 1-2 cm in size, areas appear on the tonsils, covered with a “pearly” dirty gray coating. The plaque is tightly bound to the underlying tissues. After its rejection, deep bleeding ulcers form on the surface of the tonsils. The development of necrotic processes indicates a severe course of the disease.

In all cases, streptococcal inflammation spreads to nearby (regional) lymph nodes. They are felt on the neck, below the corners of the lower jaw in the form of painful round formations, the size of which depends on the severity of the disease.

Severity

The disease can occur in mild, moderate and severe forms.

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Yodangin

These throat lozenges are a dietary supplement, so they can be used without a doctor’s prescription as part of a comprehensive treatment for the underlying disease. Yodangina contains menthol, potassium iodide and sea salt. All these substances relieve inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, reduce pain and soreness. The drug is prescribed exclusively to adults. “Yodangin” is inexpensive, it has a pleasant taste and natural composition, which customers like. And although there are no antiseptics or antimicrobial substances in the composition, throat lozenges relieve the unpleasant symptoms of ARVI (pain, cough, tickling).

YodAngin

Pharmaceutical industry, Russia

Lozenges, which are used for: Inflammation of the oral mucosa, inflammation of the throat, sore throat.
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