Learn about the types and symptoms of pharyngitis.

The faringite It's a problem that affects people of all ages: whether children, teenagers, or adults. 

Sore throat This is the most striking characteristic of this inflammation, but depending on the pathogen that causes it, other problems may appear, such as conjunctivitis, nausea, and skin rashes.

In this article, we present the types of pharyngitis, their symptoms, and how you can relieve them. 

What is pharyngitis and what are the different types?

Pharyngitis is the technical name for a sore throat, the main symptom of which is pain when swallowing. It usually occurs during flu-like illnesses, but there are more specific cases, such as fungal infections.

Stomach pains and difficulty swallowing In neuromuscular disorders, because they also cause sore throat, they can be confused with pharyngitis.

Learn about the most common types of this kind of sore throat:

Viral pharyngitis

In addition to pain in the throat area, it is characterized by fever and malaise — which is usually milder than in bacterial pharyngitis.

Depending on the virus, some less common symptoms may appear, see below:

• Severe sore throat and throat lesions: Cocksakie virus;
• conjunctivitis and high feveradenovirus;
• fatigue and skin irritationEpstein-Barr virus.

Streptococcal pharyngitis

The Streptococcus pyogenes It is the main cause of bacterial pharyngitis, hence the name "streptococcal pharyngitis". It affects adolescents and adults more often, while viral pharyngitis is more common in younger children.

This type of pharyngitis is the one that carries the risk of developing into rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can affect the skin, joints, heart, and brain of children. 

Besides a sore throat, other symptoms include:

• fever;
• general malaise;
• headache;
• swelling in the throat;
• Enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck.

What are the symptoms of this inflammation?

As you have already seen, both illnesses cause a sore throat. Other symptoms vary, but generally, viral pharyngitis—which is the most common—can also lead to hoarseness, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and cough.

More specific symptoms can arise from less common viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus.

Sore throats of bacterial origin can cause fever, headache, nausea, skin irritation, and other distinct discomforts. 

This is how you can get an idea of ​​whether you have pharyngitis caused by a virus or bacteria. The only way to be certain is through a medical consultation.

What are the possible treatments for pharyngitis?

Initially, doctors usually prescribe topical therapies, such as throat sprays and lozenges. In addition to these, some medications may also be used.

If tests reveal that the pharyngitis was caused by bacteria, treatment with antibiotics should also be started.

But, in addition to treatment with a doctor, it's possible to take some relief measures. See below:  

• Keep your throat well hydrated by drinking plenty of water (at least 30 ml per kilogram);
• Avoid consuming irritating foods, such as chili peppers, citrus fruits, and vinegar;
• Use a little honey and alcohol-free propolis;
• Whenever possible, avoid using air conditioning.

Remember that if the pain becomes so severe that you are unable to drink liquids, have difficulty breathing, or become very unwell overall, Seek an otolaryngologist immediately.. 

What precautions should I take if I have pharyngitis? 

Homemade remedies, simple and inexpensive, are always tempting, aren't they? Honey and propolis, as you've already seen, can be helpful. But some require adjustments in instructions, such as gargling.

The gargling that really helps with a sore throat is done with warm water, not with salt and vinegar — which... Acidity can significantly worsen the condition.

Another danger is eating ice cream. Even though the cold sensation in the throat provides momentary relief, the cold can also worsen the problem.

Different types of pharyngitis can trigger anything from a simple sore throat to more serious symptoms, such as... difficulty breathing. Therefore, it's always good to know safe and effective relief measures, as well as having an otolaryngologist available.
As you already know that not all sore throats are pharyngitis, continue reading our tips and read this article with the main causes this complaint!