Pharyngitis: definition, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

By Cristiano Antonino On May 3, 2023

Pharyngitis is a typical disorder of the coldest months of the year or months with sudden changes in temperature and concerns inflammation of the pharynx, i.e. the back of the throat between the tonsils and the larynx

Generally pharyngitis is caused by inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, which can occur due to viruses especially when we are more exposed to cold and colder temperatures.

Pharyngitis is almost always without consequences, but it can be really annoying and as mentioned above, it is also quite frequent, at least in the cold season.

The main causes of pharyngitis

The main symptom of a possible inflammation of the pharynx is sore throat, which depending on the case may be associated with other ailments, such as fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes in the neck and skin rashes.

Usually, in fact, pharyngitis occurs in conjunction with other ailments typical of colds and the winter months to the point that it too is counted among the symptoms of flu syndromes.

Indeed, in many cases it is even one of the first alarm bells.

Sometimes, it is the only symptom by which these infections manifest themselves.

In the vast majority of cases, fortunately, it is acute pharyngitis, which rarely evolves into a chronic form.

Generally it is viruses that cause inflammation of the pharynx, it rarely happens with a bacterium.

In these rare cases we arrive at the most acute forms of pharyngitis.

Among the greatest risk factors we find not only the cold, but also smog, in particular fine dust, cigarette smoke and sudden changes in temperature.

They are not the direct cause of pharyngitis, but they activate viruses and bacteria which thus lead to infecting the mucous membrane of the oral cavity.

The most severe forms of pharyngitis

As mentioned above, pharyngitis is usually triggered by a viral infection, such as those that arise from colds.

Viruses responsible include influenza, Epstein-Barr virus, adenovirus, rhinovirus, coronavirus, enterovirus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex.

Another possible cause of pharyngitis is gastroesophageal reflux syndrome.

The most severe forms of pharyngitis are associated with bacterial infections, particularly group A β-hemolytic streptococcus.

In the most severe cases, and which generally affect already debilitated subjects, it can lead to complications such as rheumatic fever, glomerulonephritis, arthritis, sinusitis, otitis, mastoiditis, severe abscesses and toxic shock.

Among the other bacteria that can cause it there are also streptococci and in rarer cases pharyngitis can also be a consequence of the gonorrhea or chlamydia bacteria.

In addition, pharyngitis can be associated with smoking and allergies.

Acute pharyngitis is usually typical in patients.

Only in a small percentage of cases is it possible to develop chronic or recurrent pharyngitis.

Chronic pharyngitis

Today there is no exact definition of chronic pharyngitis.

For many specialists, it occurs when a certain number of pharyngitis is reached, equivalent to 3 episodes per year.

These chronic forms may be associated with non-infectious causes, such as periodic fever, canker sores, inflammation of the lymph glands and gastroesophageal reflux (which may also be associated with heartburn and pneumonia).

Symptoms of pharyngitis

Sore throat caused by a viral infection can occur in association with various other symptoms such as nasal congestion, cold, dysphonia (especially hoarseness), ear pain, sinus discomfort, cough, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, and ulcerative stomatitis .

In addition to the pharynx, the larynx and trachea are also part of the respiratory system.

The main task of these three parts of our body is to convey the air that arrives from the nose and mouth towards the bronchi and from there into the lungs.

Pharyngitis, laryngitis and tracheitis

Even these areas can become inflamed due to viruses and bacteria, in these cases we speak of:

pharyngitis;
laryngitis;
tracheitis.

Pharyngitis, also commonly known as “sore throat”, is an inflammation that affects the pharynx, or as mentioned above, the back of the throat where the tonsils are located.

But what are the main symptoms that can make us think of pharyngitis?

We list them:

pain in the pharynx;
feeling of pain when swallowing;
itchy or lumpy throat;
local redness of the mucous membrane.

In some cases it may be accompanied by enlarged tonsils, very high fever, ear pain or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.

Even laryngitis is generally of viral origin, more rarely bacterial

Possible causes of laryngitis are:

infectious;
allergic;
exposure to irritants or chemicals.

The larynx is that part of the respiratory system that is located immediately below the pharynx where the vocal cords are located.

The larynx performs a phonatory and respiratory function and in the act of swallowing it is excluded by closing the epiglottis.

Its typical symptoms are:

alteration of the voice (more marked than that which occurs with pharyngitis: often it can lead to a condition of aphonia, i.e. the total lack of voice);
inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck;
cough;
sometimes fever;
pain when swallowing.

Lastly, the trachea, which is a cartilage tube that sits just below the larynx and carries air to the lungs.

Like laryngitis, tracheitis can also occur without a sore throat

In fact, its symptoms are mainly:

cough initially dry then catarrhal;
a runny nose;
dyspnea (breathing difficulties);
sternum pain;
screeching and gasping when breathing;
sometimes fever.

Tracheitis can be of bacterial origin, often it is Staphylococcus aureus

Bacterial infection frequently occurs after respiratory infections of viral origin.

The anti-inflammatories

In cases of laryngitis and pharyngitis, the use of antibiotics is usually not necessary.

In the case of tracheitis, the antibiotic most frequently proves to be the most suitable remedy and therefore it is important to consult a doctor first.

For pharyngitis, as well as for laryngitis, being generally the consequence of a viral infection, certain precautions can be taken without resorting to drugs.

For example, the discomfort may go away by resting the voice and waiting for the inflammation of the vocal cords to subside.

In this case, using a humidifier in the home can relieve symptoms.

Sometimes pain relievers and decongestants can also help if associated with a cold.

Self-medication: when to resort to it?

In the case of pharyngitis, the disorder is essentially caused by pain, so to make it go away you can also resort to self-medication drugs, i.e. remedies that help relieve it.

For example, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain in both adults and children.

The function of NSAIDs, both topical and systemic, is to inhibit the synthesis of molecules involved in inflammation, the so-called prostaglandins, by blocking an enzyme essential for their production, cyclooxygenase 2, COX 2.

If the discomfort is only in the throat, such as difficulty swallowing, redness and itching in the throat, then it is more appropriate to take topical formulations, such as lozenges and sprays, as they allow the active ingredient to be located only in the inflamed area.

When, on the other hand, in addition to the sore throat, other symptoms such as fever or muscle pain occur, then it is better to resort to a systemic NSAID, because it will act on several fronts, improving the state of health.

Natural remedies for pharyngitis

Pharyngitis, especially in its first signs, can be fought with gargles with water and salt, hot drinks, sprays and lozenges for the throat.

Water and salt can be prepared by dissolving 3 grams of salt in 240 ml of water.

As a hot drink, however, it is possible to prepare tea with lemon; those who like it can sweeten it with honey.

Depending on your preference, a cold liquid may also be beneficial; you can drink ice water or eat a popsicle.

Using a humidifier at home can help combat dryness by hydrating your sore throat.

The annoyances caused by pharyngitis can also be alleviated through thermal treatments, in particular with nasal showers or also called thermal water inhalations.

The treatment, which can also be carried out simply with the aerosol device, can reduce the inflammation and thus avoid the need for medication.