Angina: symptoms, how to treat, prevention

Among other winter sores, various serious ailments often occur - tracheitis, sinusitis or tonsillitis. This happens especially often in childhood. This article will tell you why sore throat occurs and how to cure it correctly and quickly.

Causes of sore throat

A severe sore throat is called a sore throat. Scientifically, angina, or acute tonsillitis, is an acute infection that causes inflammatory process. This ailment affects all parts of the throat - tonsils, larynx or pharynx. This is a rather serious and serious ailment, complications from which other organs can also be infected. For example, the heart, lungs, or even joints.

The causative agents of sore throat can be:

1. Viruses.
2. Bacteria.
3. Fungus.

The infection can enter the throat due to the following factors:

• airborne droplets, upon contact with a carrier of the virus;
• eating dairy products with bacteria;
• decline in immunity and the awakening of "their" internal viruses;
• the multiplication of a large number of bacteria, as a result of an existing ailment - caries, sinusitis, gastroenteritis;
• through the blood;
• the consequence of hypothermia;
• living in a dirty, gas-polluted atmosphere;
• overwork, depletion of vitality;
• poor quality food;
• dampness, lack of sun;
• a sharp change in weather conditions.

It is worth remembering that the body of a healthy person, with strong immunity, is able to resist viruses on its own. And to prevent the occurrence of serious illnesses. If, nevertheless, the disease began, the immunity is weakened and it is necessary in parallel treatment to carry out activities to strengthen it.

Types of sore throat

Angina is the most common disease in the world. After the flu. Depending on the stimulus, this or that type of disease occurs. And the treatment, respectively, is different. What the specialist will tell in detail about, after contacting a medical institution and passing all the necessary smears and tests.

Angina is of the following types:

1. Catarrhal. Symptoms of the disease appear on the very first day of the lesion. It runs for a short time - 3-5 days. Feels like pain and dryness in the throat, chills and general weakness. If measures are taken on time, then catarrhal sore throat can be cured in 5-7 days. But with incorrect treatment, other forms of the disease can develop against the background of this type.
2. Lacunar. A more acute form, accompanied by a white coating on the tonsils and tongue. Most often, it does not do without a sharp increase in temperature.
3. Pseudo-diphtheric. Symptoms resemble diphtheria - fever, general loss of energy, noticeable white bloom.
4. Phyllicular. It is similar to type 2 of the disease, but the symptoms are expressed in a much milder form. The enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes, which are painful to touch, is added.
5. Herpetic. Symptoms appear immediately and dramatically. It is accompanied by the formation of bubbles with liquid on the tonsils. On about 3-4 days of illness, these blisters burst. Symptoms become less noticeable. It is extremely rare in adults, mainly children 4-10 years old suffer.
6. Ulcerative. Purely adult type of sore throat. Symptoms are not very pronounced, but are accompanied by a specific odor from the mouth and sores on the tonsils. It occurs with regular lack of sleep, decreased immunity against the background of existing or not completely cured old diseases.
7. Combined. There are such cases that one person has several types of angina at the same time. On the one side of the larynx one type, on the other - completely different.

Angina can be of the following types:

1. Primary. Only the pharyngeal ring is affected. Standard pain symptoms, no burden.
2. Secondary. Appears when complications occur, gives changes in the chemical composition of the blood.
3. Specific. Caused by the presence of a fungus in the body.

Sore throat symptoms

So how do you recognize a sore throat? Severe, sharp sore throat, that's understandable. And what is it accompanied by?

Throat infection symptoms:

• weakness;
• drowsiness;
• enlargement of the cervical and jaw lymph nodes;
• temperature from 38 degrees;
• drooling in children;
• chills, fever;
• lack of appetite;
• swelling of the tonsils;
• headache;
• hoarseness or loss of voice;
• runny nose;
• cough;
• abdominal pain;
• rarely - the presence of protein and red blood cells in the urine, changes in the composition of the blood;
• the pain radiates into ears;
• white patches or blisters on the throat.

Remember, infectious inflammation is not a joke. If you find signs of a throat infection, see your doctor right away. Self-medication can lead to sad consequences, since angina can cause complications on the heart and other important organs of the human body.

Is angina contagious

As a rule, the symptoms of sore throat occur 2-5 days after the pathogen enters the body. The rate at which the virus spreads depends on immunity.

If you do not make proper treatment, then the sick person is considered contagious within 14 days from the moment the first symptoms appear. If you apply high-quality therapy, using antibiotics, then this period can be significantly reduced, up to 48 hours from the moment you start taking the drug. There is a theory that a person becomes contagious from the moment the throat becomes red.

This disease is transmitted mainly through saliva - the use of one cup, or a kiss. Also, angina is transmitted by airborne droplets, with sneezes and coughs.

Remember that the symptoms of sore throat are very similar to diphtheria and mononucleosis. Which are also very contagious and difficult in their course.

It is also worth mentioning that there is always a certain amount of bacteria in the throat of any person. But with strong immunity, their vital activity is completely harmless. As soon as you get caught in the rain, wet your feet or eat ice cream, immunity drops and bacteria begin their active work. That is, you can get a sore throat without direct contact with a sick person.

Sore throat treatment

It is worth mentioning right away that you cannot do without a visit to the doctor. The doctor will prescribe antibacterial drugs - gargles, sprays, inhalations. For example, Miramistin or hydrogen peroxide solution.

In case of a particularly serious illness, a specialist may prescribe a smear test, after which he will definitely prescribe antibiotics. Most often they are prescribed together with antiviral agents. Don't forget to use sprays. They can help reduce soreness and kill harmful microorganisms in your throat. For example, Hexoral, Stopangin, Tantum verde. The latter is allowed to be taken during pregnancy.

Be sure to use bed rest, complete rest and abundant warm drinks. This will help reduce the risk of possible complications. Since angina often has a negative effect on joints and internal organs.

With angina, there is a decrease in appetite. But you need to eat as much as possible fortified food. That is, for the duration of the illness, it will be necessary to completely abandon harmful, excessively fatty, spicy or salty foods. Optimal - light soups with chicken broth, stewed vegetables and meat. With a sore throat, eating fruits is quite problematic, so take at least freshly squeezed juice from them.

Remember that young children are most susceptible to infection with sore throat. Especially babies - they still have weak immunity. As soon as you find signs of infection in someone from the household, try to isolate children as much as possible from contact with him. Also, all the dishes of the sick person should be thoroughly washed and doused with boiling water. All family members are required to wash their hands thoroughly, preferably with an antibacterial agent.

Remember that almost all cases of rheumatic ailments in childhood are the result of a common sore throat.

Sore throat pills

To achieve the maximum effect and speedy recovery, it is recommended to combine antibiotics with therapy with folk remedies. Also, do not forget about the fallen immunity and urgently restore it.

Most often, with this ailment, the doctor prescribes broad-spectrum antibiotics. But if streptococcus became the cause of sore throat, then medications with the presence of amoxicillin in the composition are prescribed. In especially severe cases, Sumamed or Azitrimycin is prescribed. You may also be prescribed cefatoxime. To prescribe antibiotics, it is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis, that is, to identify which virus, fungus or bacterium caused it. Otherwise, the treatment will be ineffective. Remember that the use of antibiotics must be accompanied by the use of funds to maintain the normal microflora of the body. Acepol, Linex and similar drugs.

To relieve pain and lower fever, a specialist may prescribe the use of pain relievers. For example, analgin, paracetamol, aspirin. Or preparations containing these substances.

It is imperative to gargle or simply irrigate your throat with products such as:

• Miramistin;
• Furacilin;
• an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide;
• a solution of soda and salt in water.

Alternative treatment of angina

The use of folk remedies for angina is necessary in order to wash out pathogens from the mucous membrane and speed up recovery. Traditional medicine provides in this case the use of rinsing and inhalation.

Good for rinsing:

1. Warm water with sea salt and baking soda.
2. Decoction medicinal herbs — chamomile, calendula, sage, oregano, eucalyptus. Better to use a combination of herbs.
3. Propolis tincture.
4. Lemon juice with water. It is also good to just chew or suck a lemon wedge in your mouth.
5. A mixture of garlic squeezed through a hand press and warm water.
6. Red beet juice with the addition of 1 tablespoon of vinegar.

They help well for the treatment of sore throats:

• lingonberry juice or cranberries;
• compote from dried fruit;
• tea with raspberries;
• chew pieces of propolis;
• onion juice with honey;
• calamus root;
• lubrication of inflamed glands with iodine;
• inhalation with garlic - chop the raw materials, pour boiling water and add a pinch of soda.

Prevention of sore throat

First of all, you should pay special attention to your immunity. Eat enough fresh vegetables and fruits, eat right, avoid hypothermia.

To don't get sick sore throat, it is recommended:

1. Don't forget about hand hygiene.
2. Do not use dishes or personal belongings of the patient.
3. Dress for the weather.
4. Avoid very dry indoor air.
5. Give up bad habits, especially smoking. Tobacco smoke helps bacteria multiply.
6. Regularly carry out wet cleaning indoors, because dust also does not contribute to health.